Horticulture Happy Hour: Blueberry Beverages

Blueberries have a limited history mixology but there are several blueberry beverages out there. One common method of using blueberries in drinks is through muddling fresh blueberries in the bottom of the cocktail while mixing to add in the flavor and juice. These drinks should be strained after to remove the heavy pulp and seeds. They can also be used easily by blending them into shakes and smoothies

Another option is to use a flavored simple syrup. These can be somewhat hard to find and expensive but a homemade version using your home grown fruits can be created using the following recipe.

Blueberry Simple Syrup

Ingredients

1 cup (8 oz.) blueberries

½ cup sugar

½ cup water

Instructions

1. Add sugar and water into saucepan over medium heat and stir lightly until sugar dissolves (this usually takes 1-3 minutes).
2. Once sugar is dissolved, add blueberries and allow them to simmer on medium low for around 10 minutes without stirring.
3. Allow syrup to cool before straining the syrup into a container that can be sealed.
4. Used berries can be utilized in smoothies, milkshakes, or other projects (or thrown out but who wants to waste fruit).
5. Store in the refrigerator for up to around a week.

For more information about growing blueberries, see our great fact sheet: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG359 or contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Office. I also host a series of workshops within the Horticulture Happy Hour topic where we discuss gardening topics and then how to use your produce in your favorite beverages. Blueberry beverages are covered in our “Something Sweet” class and available offerings in Clay County can be found at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ufifas-extension-clay-county-9764382549 .

Blogs in this Series:

Horticulture Happy Hour: Planting Blueberry Bushes

Horticulture Happy Hour: Caring for Blueberries

Horticulture Happy Hour: Blueberry Varieties

Blueberry Beverages