With summer fast approaching, I wanted to try my hand at using gin in a Cocktail and that’s how these Blueberry gin and tonic came to be. I am currently on a roll with making drinks and I must admit that it’s something I much prefer to cooking and baking.

Everything needs precision, mostly in baking, and mixing drinks does too, but I find there’s more freedom to it. If something doesn’t taste right to me I just add something that can work, without thinking twice. Maybe not the most recommended of things, for sure.

But sometimes it does work, like with this lavender lemonade cocktail and this sparkling grapefruit mocktail. After trying cocktails with vodka like the love potion drink and trying out using white rum with the blue mojitos, gin was up next!

Gin has always been the least of my choices when drinking, but this gin blueberry cocktail really changed my mind about it! It’s the perfect refreshing and fruity drink to have during summer. Thanks to the lime and tonic water, as well as the juniper berries of the gin, the Blueberries are enhanced and perfectly combined.

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What Are Blueberries? Are they good for you? When is blueberries season?

Blueberries are a type of berry that is recognisable for its blue or purple colour. These berries are grown on shrubs, native to North America, but not widely cultivated in many parts of the world. They are labelled as a ‘superfood’ and are often used in baking, smoothies, as toppings and even for dying other foods and textiles.

Blueberries have plenty of benefits, among the many:

• rich in antioxidants – essential for overall health;
• high in fibre, vitamin C and vitamin K;
• can help maintain brain function and improve memory;
• may help prevent heart disease;
• low in calorie
• may help fight UTIs;
• may have anti-diabetes effects;
• may reduce muscle damage;
• may lower blood pressure;
• may reduce DNA damage, and protect against ageing and cancer.

As they are native to North America, blueberries season runs from April to late September. During the cold winter months, from November to March, the Southern Hemisphere countries harvest their blueberries. That’s why you will find these berries stocked all year round.

What is gin? What gin should I use?

Gin is a clear distilled spirit made from grain and botanicals. The main ingredient and distinctive flavour of gin is juniper berries. Other botanicals used for gin can be coriander, lavender, citrus peel, ginger, bay leaf and angelica root between the many. Gin has been a popular alcoholic beverage for centuries and dates back to the 17th century in the Netherlands. From martinis to gin and tonic and negroni, gin is one of the most popular drinks and mixers for cocktails.

There are many styles and varieties of gin that you can use for different purposes. The most popular is the London dry gin, which we used in this recipe, in particular, dry gin is less syrupy and more herbal taste of it. Regular gin instead is sweetened after the distillation process. (The Spruce Eats)

London dry gin is one of the most versatile for making cocktails, but any gin of your choice will do too! Depending on your choice, you will have a less or more intense pine flavour. Plymouth gin, for example, is recommended for mixing fruity cocktails,

What ingredients do I need for this blueberry gin tonic?

This blueberry gin recipe calls for few ingredients but with a result that will surprise you! You will need dry gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, ice, blueberries, mint, sugar, water and tonic water. you will use sugar, water and blueberries to make the simple syrup and use any blueberries for garnish. Making this cocktail quite easy and quick to mix up!

Can I substitute anything in this blueberry cocktail?

These blueberry gin cocktails call for London dry gin, but you can substitute it for any gin you prefer. We used Bombay Sapphire London Dry gin as it was one we had already used and liked how versatile it was to use. Usually, London dry gin is less syrupy and has a more distinctive juniper flavour, but if you prefer something different you could go for regular gin or Plymouth gin, which works well with fruits.

In case of gin is not of your taste or you don’t have any around, vodka could work well too making this a blueberry vodka tonic or even using a non-alcoholic gin.

Tonic water can be exchanged for club soda or just sparkling water. For the rest, you might be able to change lime for freshly squeezed lemon, but that will change the flavour so you will need to rebalance your cocktail. If lemon juice is not for you, a lot of recipes call for blueberry lavender gin or even blueberry rosemary as a combo.

What equipment do I need for this gin blueberry cocktail?

All you will need for this blueberry gin cocktail is a cocktail shaker, a medium pot, a strainer, some cocktail glasses and some cocktail sticks. Everything you will need is easy to find in any house, and if you are missing a cocktail shaker, you could use a mason jar to mix your cocktail or a travel coffee mug.

How to make blueberry simple syrup?

The blueberry simple syrup recipe that we are going to make for this berry gin cocktail is so easy and quick to make. And I can assure you it goes well past being an ingredient for your cocktails. It’s great on your yoghurt or granola in the morning, perfect to add on ice cream or your desserts or add to your favourite coffee recipes.

You will start off by bringing to boil your fresh blueberries, sugar and water over medium heat in a medium pot. Keep stirring and when you reach a boil, lower the heat and keep cooking for another couple of minutes. You will already get a unique blue colour and a syrupy mixture by this point.

After that, turn off the heat and let it cool. Strain it in a fine mesh and transfer it to an airtight bottle. It will keep well for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. So this blueberry simple syrup is perfect to make in advance and always have on hand to mix your drinks in no time.

How to make blueberry gin cocktail

You will start by making your blueberry syrup unless you have made it in advance. You can find all the instructions step by step just on the point on top or under the recipe card.

When everything is ready, in your shaker, add the gin, blueberry simple syrup, ice and freshly squeezed lime juice. Shake it well until it’s cold and well combined. It should take less than a minute.

After that, you are ready to serve! Split the cocktail into two glasses and top it off with tonic water. Add any garnish you prefer. We used some blueberries on a cocktail stick as well as some fresh mint sprigs. but you can also use some lime wedges, citrus peel, basil or rosemary, as they all work well with blueberries. Your blueberry cocktail gin is ready to be served!

How to garnish your blueberry cocktail

These blueberry simple syrup cocktails offer plenty of choices for garnishes and you can be assured to find one for every taste. Between the many you could use:

• fresh mint sprigs – as we did, it adds a touch of colour;
• blueberries – as we did, it adds a nice texture to have while drinking or at the end, just stack them on a cocktail stick;
• fresh sprigs of rosemary – a classic combo that enhances blueberries;
• citrus peel or wedge – anything from lime, which we used in the recipe, to lemons and oranges can enhance the taste of these blue fruits;
• basil – another herb that pairs well with them;
• lavender – which enhances the floral and camphor flavour in blueberries. (Food Pairing)

Can I make this blueberry lime cocktail into a mocktail instead?

You absolutely can! These blueberry cocktails gin can easily be made in a blueberry mocktail recipe. This will make it easy for you to offer a drink all your guests can enjoy. You have two options, leave out the gin and just use the rest of the ingredients. Which, thanks to the combination of tonic water, blueberry syrup and lime, will make this drink still as tasty as the original.

Or you could go for non-alcoholic gin to substitute regular gin. It’s a bit on the expensive side, but nowadays you can find plenty of non-alcoholic gins like Caleño light & zesty, Tanqueray gin alcohol-free and Pentire. The good thing is that you will be able to use them even for other mocktails.

If you are still on the hunt for more easy mocktails, you should also try this pear coffee spritzer and this must-try this summer, a delicious strawberry lemonade.

What other recipes can I make with blueberries?

Blueberries are such a powerhouse of vitamins and good stuff, so why not use them more? We have a recipe for discarded sourdough blueberry muffins or lemon blueberry muffins. You can add blueberries to your favourite pie recipe like in this mixed berry pie. You could also infuse blueberries in your gin or vodka to make your own flavoured alcohol.

I have never been a huge fan of blueberries, but lately, I have found myself playing more with them while making cocktails and mocktail recipes or desserts, so keep an eye peeled for more.

I have already set my eyes on trying a blueberry bramble cocktail and a blueberry gin sour because I think I would absolutely love this as I enjoy the sour taste. And also have to try a blueberry gin fizz because I have seen some amazing recipes around, as well as blueberries gin lemonade.

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