This Blueberry Lemon Drop with vodka and a homemade blueberry simple syrup is a fun spin on your classic lemon drop martini recipe. Rimmed with a fresh lemon zest and sugar rim and garnished with fresh blueberries, this purple cocktail is a showstopper!
Key Ingredients
- Blueberry simple syrup: the homemade blueberry simple syrup is easy to make! Boil together equal parts water, sugar, and fresh blueberries before mashing the blueberries and straining.
- Vodka: Your favorite brand of vodka will work great. There are so many other flavors going on in this cocktail, so don't feel like you need to break the bank on an expensive bottle.
- Lemons: fresh lemon juice is a key ingredient in any lemon drop cocktail! I also love using the zest in the sugar rim.
- Triple sec: Feel free to use triple sec or Cointreau.
How to make a Blueberry Lemon Drop
1. Make the blueberry simple syrup. Add equal parts water, sugar, and fresh blueberries to a saucepan on high heat.
2. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to break the blueberries until each one has burst. Simmer for 5 more minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved and the syrup is very dark purple.Â
3. Strain the simple syrup through a mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon or muddler to help push the liquid through the sieve.
4. Add the blueberry simple syrup, vodka, triple sec, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds, or until very cold.
5. Rim a martini glass with lemon juice then dip it into a mixture of granulated sugar and lemon zest. Pour the lemon drop into the prepared martini glass and garnish with fresh blueberries, if desired.
Variations
- Raspberries or blackberries would also be delicious! Make a raspberry simple syrup or blackberry simple syrup by swapping out the blueberries.
- Meyer lemons are a delicious substitute for regular lemons and add a little extra sweetness!
Prep ahead and batching tips
After straining the blueberry simple syrup, allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container, preferably glass, in the refrigerator. When stored properly, it can last up to 3-4 weeks.
To easily serve this cocktail to a group, you can turn this into a batch cocktail by making a pitcher of them. Combine all the ingredients, except the ice, in a pitcher. Before serving each drink, shake a serving or two with ice in a cocktail shaker and serve. If you skip shaking it with ice, the cocktail won't be as cold and will taste much stronger since it won't have any melted ice mixed in.
More fruit-forward cocktail recipes you'll love
Please drink responsibly.
📖 Recipe
Blueberry Lemon Drop
Ingredients
For the simple syrup: (makes about 1.5 cups)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cups sugar
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
For the lemon sugar rim:
- ½ lemon zested and cut into wedges
- 2 tsp. sugar
For the cocktail:
- 2 ounce blueberry simple syrup
- 3 oz. vodka
- 1 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- fresh blueberries for garnish, optional
Instructions
- To make the blueberry simple syrup, add the water, sugar, and blueberries to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil on high heat and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to break the blueberries until each one has burst. Simmer for 5 more minutes, or until the sugar has completely dissolved and the syrup is very dark purple. Strain the simple syrup through a fine mesh strainer.
- To rim the martini glass with a sugar-lemon rim, run a lemon wedge along the edge of the martini glasses. On a small plate, mix together the sugar and lemon zest. Dip each martini glass in the sugar-lemon zest mixture. Set aside.
- To make the cocktail, to a cocktail shaker add the blueberry simple syrup, vodka, triple sec, lemon juice, and a handful of ice. Shake the cocktail shaker for 30 seconds or until very cold. Strain the cocktail into the prepared martini glasses. Garnish with fresh blueberries, if desired.
The post Blueberry Lemon Drop appeared first on CC's Table | Easy Recipes for Entertaining.