Boozy Macerated Strawberries

Waffles with strawberries, vanilla ice cream scoops, a mint sprig, and orange zest on a white plate.

4.71 from 62 votes

Sweet, boozy, and utterly irresistible, these boozy macerated strawberries are my go-to treat for summer. Ripe berries get a splash of Grand Marnier, a sprinkle of sugar, and a hint of orange zest, turning them into a luscious syrup perfect for ice cream, waffles, or eating straight from the bowl. Ready in just a few hours, they’re an effortless way to add a little indulgence to any dessert.

Prep Time15

Maceration Time3

Total Time3 15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Southern

Diet: Vegan

Servings:

Author: Jenny DeRemer

Ingredients

1 pound fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
¼ cup orange juice with pulp; from 1 fresh orange
2 tablespoons orange zest from 1 fresh orange
¼ cup Grand Marnier or apricot brandy
¼ cup raw sugar

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Hull and slice the strawberries and add them to a large bowl.
1 pound fresh strawberries
Add the orange juice and zest, liqueur, and sugar. Stir and allow to sit at room temperature, covered, for about 3 hours.
¼ cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons orange zest, ¼ cup Grand Marnier, ¼ cup raw sugar
Serve with French vanilla ice cream, over waffles, with sweetened whipped ricotta, with a drizzle of salted or smoked honey, or in a bowl with homemade whipped cream. Enjoy!

Notes

I like to cut the strawberries into halves and thirds, but if topping small cheesecakes where the berries should be pretty, you could slice. The larger the berries, the longer it will take for them to release their juice; the more cut surface area, the more time for the liquor and sugar to do their job.
A sharp and trusty paring knife is practically indispensable for this recipe!
I begin maceration at least thirty minutes and up to three hours before serving. The berries will lose their shape after about four hours but will be that much tastier.

Nutrition