Blueberries + Bourbon Recipe

By
Kelly Carámbula
Kelly Carámbula is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Kelly Carámbula

Kelly Carámbula is an artist and sculptor based in San Francisco. Kelly was the designer and publisher behind Remedy Quarterly (2009–2018), a magazine about food memories and the recipes that inspire them, as well as an award-winning food blogger at The Best Remedy.

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Updated Aug. 30, 2018
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As strawberries begin to wind down, blueberries are taking their place. Their flavor transforms from slightly tart at the beginning of the season to a slightly sweeter berry as the season progresses.

I've taken to smashing a few blueberries in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, then adding bourbon, lemon and simple syrup, then giving it a good shake. Once the whole thing has been strained into a glass, I like to lighten it a with a bit of seltzer and a squeeze of lemon peel. The bourbon packs a nice punch, but the blueberries and syrup add a complimentary sweetness to the drink. I like to think of it as the Old Fashioned's slimmed-down summer look.

Recipe Facts

Active: 5 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serves: 1 serving

Rate & Comment

Ingredients

  • 6 blueberries

  • Ice

  • 1 1/2 ounces bourbon

  • 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

  • 1/2 ounce simple syrup

  • Splash seltzer water

  • Garnish: 2-inch lemon twist, 2 blueberries on toothpick

Directions

  1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the blueberries until the juices are released and the berries are crushed. Fill shaker with ice. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Cover and shake well.

  2. Strain into a rocks glass. Top with a splash of seltzer water.

  3. Gently squeeze the lemon twist over the drink and drop into the glass. Garnish with 2 blueberries on a toothpick.

Special Equipment

Cocktail shaker, muddler

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
131 Calories
0g Fat
9g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 131
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 4mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 7mg 35%
Calcium 12mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 25mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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