Spring! Sips

Frozen Strawberry-Aperol Cocktail Aperol’s bitter herbal taste accentuates the natural sweetness of the strawberries. Makes 6 to 8 servings 2 cups halved hulled fresh strawberries1 cup sugar1 cup water3 sprigs fresh thyme3 cups crushed ice4½ ounces bourbon3 ounces Aperol3 ounces fresh lemon juiceGarnish: fresh thyme sprigs, halved fresh strawberries Combine strawberries, sugar, 1 cup water, and thyme in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat; strain strawberry mixture, reserving cooked strawberries and 2 tablespoons syrup. Discard thyme. Reserve remaining strawberry syrup for another use, if desired. Combine cooked strawberries, reserved 2 tablespoons strawberry syrup, ice, bourbon, Aperol, and lemon juice in the container of a blender; cover and blend until smooth. Pour strawberry mixture into 2 (1-quart) freezer-safe containers. Freeze for…