Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri Mix

Makes about 4 cups.

2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup lime juice (from 2 medium limes)
1/4 cup water
1 quart fresh strawberries, washed and hulled

Combine sugar, lime juice and water in bowl. Stir to mix, and then let stand until sugar is almost completely dissolved, about 15 minutes (mixture will be thick).

In blender jar or food processor, combine the sugar mixture with the berries. Blend until smooth. Pack into half-pint, pint-, or quart-size freezer containers; freeze. Or, pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until firm, unmold and pack into resealable freezer bags.

The mixture will become solid with the consistency of a very firm sherbet, so you'll be able to scoop portions from the main batch, then reseal the mixture.

For each Strawberry Daiquiri:
In blender jar, combine 3 tablespoons light or dark rum, 1/4 cup frozen strawberry daiquiri mix (2 average-sized cubes that have been frozen in ice-cube trays) and about 3/4 cup of ice cubes (7 or 8 average-size cubes). Blend until smooth. Most blender jars can handle up to 4 servings.

Mango Strawberry Daiquiri:
Add up to 1 ripe cut-up mango to the blender when making a batch of strawberry daiquiris (up to 4 servings) as described previously.

NOTE: For a nonalcoholic frozen drink, replace the rum with unsweetened pineapple juice.

Strawberry Pi a Colada:
In blender jar, combine 3 tablespoons light or dark rum, 1/4 cup frozen strawberry daiquiri mix (2 to 3 average-size cubes that have been frozen in ice cube trays), 3 tablespoons unsweetened pineapple juice, 1 tablespoon coconut cream and about 3/4 cup of ice cubes (7 or 8 average sized cubes). Blend until smooth.

NOTE: For a nonalcoholic version, omit the rum.