Blueberry Thrill

C'mon guys, its been a long week, it's time to relax and chill-out.  This blueberry inspired cocktail is meant to be shared with good friends over good conversation.

The thrill of this cocktail is the cardamom infused simple syrup, lemon juice, combined with gin and fresh blueberries.

This is a cocktail that can be prepared two-ways.  Dressed up in a martini glass.

or served patio style, as a fizzy cocktail with cubed ice and club soda in a beverage glass.

Or both ways.  It's your choice.

Blueberry Thrill

Serves 8

Recipe from Cooking Light

Ingredients:

2 cups blueberries

1-1/2 cups dry gin

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

3 cardamom pods

Crushed ice

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Additional blueberries (optional)

Directions:

1.  Place 2 cups blueberries in a large stainless steel saucepan; mash with a fork or potato masher.  Place over medium-high heat, and cook 3 minutes or until berries begin to release juice.  Remove from heat; add gin.  Cover and let stand at least for 1 hour or up to overnight.  Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing berries with the back of a spoon to remove as much juice as possible; discard solids.

2.  Combine 3/4 cup water, sugar, and cardamom pods in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.  Cook 2 minutes or until sugar dissolves.  Cool completely; discard cardamom pods.

3.  To serve, add the ice to a cocktail shaker to come half-way up sides of container.  Add 1/4 cup blueberry-gin, 1-1/2 tablespoons cardamom syrup, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice; shake until chilled.  Strain cocktail into a chilled martini glass or beverage glass.  Garnish with additional blueberries, if desired.  Serve immediately.  Repeat procedure with remaining ingredients.

Note:  To make the fizzy cocktail, pour blueberry-gin, cardamom syrup, and lemon juice over crushed ice in a glass; top with chilled club soda.

Enjoy!