Sweet and juicy blueberries add a colourful kick to cool, summertime cocktails

Beat the heat with berry-infused beverages

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      Now that blueberry season is well underway, your fridge or freezer might be stacked to the rafters with the juicy, little fruit.

      While the berries--nature's candy, as I like to call 'em--are a natural addition to everything from muffins to smoothies, they also go rather nicely in cocktails.

      Here are a couple drinks to try that should help you keep cool in the heat.

      For a refreshing spin on sangria, try one made with white wine and blueberries.
      BC Blueberry Council.

      Blueberry White Wine Sangria

      Yield: 5 cups

      Ingredients

      2 cups B.C. blueberries, fresh or frozen - divided
      ¼ cup boney
      ½ cup orange liqueur
      1 bottle white wine
      ½ cup apple, sliced
      ½ cup strawberries, sliced
      ½ cup orange juice
      3 tbsp lime juice
      ½ cup soda water (optional)

      Method

      In a pitcher combine 1 cup of the blueberries and honey and gently muddle until fruit is lightly crushed but not pureed.

      Add the orange liqueur, wine, remaining blueberries, apple, strawberries, orange and lime juice.

      Serve over ice.

      For a lighter drink top, with soda water.

      This recipe can be made with fresh or frozen blueberries. If you use frozen berries, the sangria will end up being more pink in colour than in the photo. Recipe courtesy B.C. Blueberry Council. For more recipes, visit www.bcblueberry.com.

       

      Blueberry-flavoured vodka gives the classic Moscow Mule a new twist.
      BC Blueberry Council.

      BC Mule

      This little number is made with XFour Bremner’s Blueberry Flavored Vodka. Each bottle of the spirit contains two-thirds of a pound of fresh blueberries from Bremner’s Farm, a Ladner producer that ships to 12 countries worldwide.

      XFour distiller, Vancouver chef Marcus VonAlbrecht, doesn’t use any additives, preservatives, or sugars, while the vodka is made of Canadian-grown corn, rye, and glacier-fed water from the Interior.

      Ingredients

      ½ oz. lime juice (about ¼ lime)
      2 oz. XFour Bremner’s Blueberry Flavored Vodka
      4 oz. ginger beer
      Fresh blueberries to garnish

      Method

      Squeeze lime into a glass and drop in the lime wedge as well. Add a few ice cubs and vodka. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with fresh blueberries. 

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