Say hello to the Blueberry Cocktail, your low-key, make-ahead, new BFF. Prepare to be blown away by the amount of flavor dried blueberries can add to your spirits! These drinks are super simple and incredibly easy to make, plus the berries offer plenty of sweetness without needing to add any extra sugar.
So, they're simple, sweet, sparkly, and everything a cocktail should be!
It's make-ahead quality makes this the perfect drink to serve to a crowd! Though, it's also a great option to have on hand to serve at a moment's notice or just to enjoy in the evening without having to do any more work in the kitchen. With some fresh lemon and a little sparkling water, you're good to go!
THE EASIEST BLUEBERRY COCKTAIL
In the Anthony Kitchen, we absolutely adore the happy hour pastime and always look forward to special events that lend themselves to delicious sips and quality time with our favorite people. But, there is one stipulation -- the cocktails served around these parts must be easy to make.
You can take comfort in knowing that this Blueberry Cocktail ranks at the tippy top of ease alongside our Vodka Mojitos and Homemade Frozen Margs. And, P.S., if you haven't tried those cocktail hour winners yet, be sure to add them to your must-make list!
But, if the idea of infusing liquor is even the slightest bit intimidating, let me assure you -- it's one of the easiest things you will ever make at home. I mean, we're talking two ingredients -- liquor and blueberries. We'll get more specific with the liquor below, but now, let's talk blueberries.
It is very important that you use dried blueberries for this recipe. Not fresh, not frozen, but dried.
The water content has been extracted from dried blueberries, which results in fruit with a more concentrated flavor and a higher sugar content. So, when it comes to infusing your booze with a great, big blueberry flavor, dried fruit is definitely the way to go!
VODKA OR GIN? YOUR CALL.
Making your own liquor infusion might sound complicated, but it's really quite easy. All you need are two ingredients! How could that be hard?
The first thing you want to do is decide whether or not you'd like to make your blueberry cocktail with vodka or gin. My personal preference is gin because of its light, botanical, and herbaceous notes. Specifically, I think this cocktail works best with either the botanist or Mahon gin.
Not a gin fan? No problem. Blueberry and lemon go swimmingly with vodka as well. Hangar 1, Absolute, and Humboldt Organic would all be great candidates for this cocktail.
If you love this recipe, you'll definitely want to check out our Pimm's Cup Cocktail!
HOW TO MAKE BLUEBERRY COCKTAILS
INFUSE THE LIQUOR
Once you have your vodka or gin picked out, have ready a clean, quart-sized glass jar or swing bottle.
Note, a jar or bottle with a larger mouth will come in handy later down the road, once your homemade, blueberry-infused liquor has been fully enjoyed, and the bottle needs a clean. You may find it difficult to remove the blueberries from a small-mouthed bottle!
Add the dried blueberries to the bottle, followed by either your favorite vodka or gin.
Seal the bottle and leave it out at room temperature or refrigerate for about 24 hours. You'll know that the liquor has taken on the flavor of the blueberries, once it takes on a deep indigo color.
ADD A SUGAR RIM (OPTIONAL)
Whether or not you want to add a sugar rim to your blueberry cocktail is entirely up to you. It is, however, highly recommended for those of you who prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side.
This particular sugar rim comes infused with bright and tart flavors from a quick zest of lemon. Not only does it add the perfect touch of sweetness to your cocktail, but also gives it a beautiful pop of color.
To ready the sugar rim for your blueberry cocktail, add about ⅓ cup of granulated sugar to a small plate. Then, grate the zest of half of a lemon into the sugar.
Use your fingertips to rub the sugar and zest together until the zest is evenly distributed throughout the sugar mix. Set the plate of lemon sugar aside, and cut the lemon into wedges.
Now, you'll want to cut a slit down the center of each lemon wedge, taking care not to cut all the way through the lemon rind. See our "How to Cut a Lime" article for an excellent visual tutorial of this process.
Slide the slit of your lemon wedge over the rim of your glass and run it along in a circle. Once you've got the rim of your glass wet turn it over and gently swirl it around in the lemon sugar mixture. Tap the bottom of the glass gently to allow any excess sugar to fall away and it's time to finish this cocktail!
MAKE THE COCKTAIL
Fill your glass to the top with ice (regular or crushed ice will work great), then add about 1 ½ to 2 ounces of your blueberry vodka or gin. Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice (the juice of about one small lemon), and top off your cocktail with sparkling water or club soda.
Garnish with a wedge of lemon, serve, and enjoy! For extra special, craft cocktail vibes, add a sprig or two of fresh mint leaves or thyme.
CAN I USE LIME INSTEAD OF LEMON?
If you prefer lime over lemon, feel free to sub in lime zest for your sugar rim and fresh lime juice for the lemon juice in your cocktail!
Then, garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy!
LIKE YOUR DRINKS SWEET?
This cocktail is by no means over-the-top sweet. As it stands, it is absolutely perfect for those who like their cocktails with just a hint of sweetness. If you'd like to customize this blueberry cocktail to satisfy your sweet tooth desires, you can add up to an ounce of simple syrup after your blueberry-infused booze goes in, or simply swap out the sparkling water for ginger ale or ginger beer!
6 MORE COCKTAILS YOU’LL LOVE
- Pineapple Mojito
- Coconut Mojito
- Skinny Margarita
- Cadillac Margarita
- Strawberry Margarita
- Strawberry Basil Cocktail
Pineapple Mojito
Easy Coconut Mojitos
Skinny Margaritas (Less Sugar AND Less Calories!)
Cadillac Margaritas (Top-Shelf Margarita Recipe)
Strawberry Margaritas On the Rocks
Strawberry Basil Cocktail
With loads of real blueberry flavor, just enough sweetness, and the touch of lemon zest, Blueberry Cocktails are bound to be a new favorite!
- ¾ cup dried blueberries
- 1 quart vodka or gin
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 lemon
- 1 ½ ounce blueberry-infused vodka or gin
- ¾ ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice (from about 1 small lemon)
- 5 ounces sparkling water or club soda
-
Add the dried blueberries and the liquor to a clean glass jar and seal. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours or up to a month.
-
Add the granulated sugar to a small plate, grate the zest of ½ a lemon over the sugar, and rub together with clean fingers until combined.
-
Cut the lemon into wedges and cut a slit down the center of each lemon wedge.
-
Run the lemon wedge along the edge of the glass, turn it over, and swirl it around in the lemon sugar until the sugar adheres to the rim.
-
Have ready a cocktail glass filled with ice.
-
Pour the blueberry-infused vodka or gin over the ice, and add fresh lemon juice and sparkling water. Stir to combine, serve, and enjoy!
Although the blueberries might look delicious, DO NOT attempt to eat them. They fully take on the flavor of the liquor and are very bitter.
