Blueberry Summer Drinks

Blueberries: 50 Tried & True Recipes is a cookbook by Julia Rutland, featuring recipes to please any fruit lover.

Abundant and delicious, blueberries are as beneficial as they are juicy. This summer, try out these refreshing blueberry-based drinks.

Blueberry-Lemonade Sangria

This fun, summery adult beverage takes a shortcut with packaged lemonade for a really zingy drink. For a more mellow flavor, you can stir in 2 cups refrigerated prepared lemonade.

INGREDIENTS

11⁄2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 (12-ounce) container frozen lemonade concentrate
1 cup prepared blueberry juice or blueberry-cranberry juice, chilled
1 (1.5-liter) bottle Sauvignon Blanc or other dry white wine, chilled
1⁄2 cup triple sec or other orange liqueur (optional)
1 seedless orange, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS

Combine blueberries and lemonade concentrate in a large pitcher. Press with a spoon to crush some of the berries. Stir in juice, wine, and, if desired, liqueur. Stir in orange and lemon slices. Cover and chill 2 to 8 hours before serving. To serve, pour over ice in glasses.

Note: For a light, sparkling beverage, fill glasses 3⁄4 full with sangria, and top with sparkling water.

Blueberry Pitcher Mojito

INGREDIENTS

1⁄2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, torn
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1⁄2 cup fresh lime juice
1⁄3 cup Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
11⁄2 cups white rum
4 to 6 cups club soda or sparkling water
Garnishes: fresh blueberries, fresh mint, lime wedges

DIRECTIONS

Combine mint and blueberries in a bowl or pitcher. Press vigorously with a muddler or wooden spoon until berries are crushed and mint is bruised. Stir in lime juice, Simple Syrup, and rum. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

To serve, gently stir club soda into pitcher. Serve in ice-filled glasses. Garnish, if desired.

Simple Syrup: Combine 2 cups water and 2 cups sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Cool; transfer to a jar and refrigerate until ready to use.

Blueberry Mojito for Two: Divide 1⁄4 cup torn fresh mint leaves, 1⁄4 cup blueberries, and 4 lime wedges in 2 glasses. Crush vigorously with a muddler or wooden spoon until mint is bruised and berries and lime are juiced. Fill glasses with ice and stir in 1⁄4 cup Simple Syrup and 1⁄4 cup rum. Stir in sparkling water. Garnish, if desired.

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