Sort of Blueberry Cocktail Recipe

The Sort of Blueberry is a riff on the basic Aviation cocktail. This model, developed by bartender and creator Jim Meehan, options gin infused with freeze-dried blueberries for a pop of berry taste. 

The recipe for the Sort of Blueberry was featured within the 2024 guide, The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Common Bar, by Meehan with Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen. In it, Meehan supplies simple, considerate methods residence cooks can enhance their drinks by means of doable methods. On this cocktail, for instance, Meehan makes use of a gin infused with freeze-dried blueberries for a pop of fruity taste with out extra sweetness. 

Whereas impressed by an Aviation, the Sort of Blueberry differs from the unique recipe in just a few methods. A basic Aviation is made with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette (a closely perfumed liqueur flavored with violet petals). The crème de violette creates the Aviation’s iconic purple hue. Since Meehan doesn’t name for crème de violette on this recipe, the blueberry-infused gin supplies the drink’s signature coloration. 

Why the Sort of Blueberry works

This spirit-forward cocktail is all about balancing boldly flavored substances in concord. The gin affords each botanical and fruity-berry notes, the lemon lends tang, the maraschino liqueur (a bittersweet Italian liqueur constructed from crushed entire cherries, pits and all) has refined almondy notes, and the easy syrup provides richness. 

The drink’s preparation is straightforward: the substances mix in a cocktail shaker with ice and because it will get shaken vigorously, the varied elements mix and aerate to yield a cocktail with a silky texture. A garnish of three recent blueberries skewered on a cocktail choose is a visible illustration of what’s contained in the glass, and makes for an excellent snack, too.