The Forge's Hopping Berry Recipe

Seanan Forbes
The Forge's Hopping Berry Recipe
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  • Yield:makes 1 cocktail
  • Active time:5 minutes
  • Total time:5 minutes
This recipe appears in:
Beer Cocktails: The Hopping Berry

An easy beer cocktail with fresh fruit. [Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

This drink, chilled down with a bottle of Duvel, will knock a couple of degrees off a hot day's temperature. Justin Maas of The Forge in Miami Beach mixes fresh berries with Nolet's gin, a peachy rose-scented version of the spirit that's light on the juniper. The crisp Belgian beer keeps this cocktail from slipping into the "too sweet" category. Instead, the drink has a sophisticated edge—more concert in the park than family picnic full of romping toddlers and teens.

Note: Bordeaux cherries are available online from Oregon Cherry Growers Inc. To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Cool before using. Simple syrup will keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Ingredients

  • 6 blueberries
  • 2 strawberries
  • 1 Bordeaux cherry (see note above)
  • 1 1/2 ounces Nolet's Gin
  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup (see note)
  • 1 ounce fresh lemon juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 1/2 ounces Duvel Belgian Golden Ale
  • Additional mixed berries, for garnish

Directions

  1. 1.

    Chill cocktail glass by filling with ice water.

  2. 2.

    Add blueberries, strawberries, and cherry to a cocktail shaker and muddle until broken up. Add gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice and fill shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 20 seconds.

  3. 3.

    Empty cocktail glass. Fine-strain cocktail into chilled glass, pressing on fruit in strainer to extract any remaining juices. Top with Duvel. Garnish with additional berries on a skewer and serve.

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