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This lemon thyme and blueberry smash is vibrant, smoky, effervescent, and refreshing! Summer's perfect cocktail is made with fresh blueberries, a little honey for sweetness, lemon juice, some fragrant lemon thyme, bubbly club soda, and smoky mezcal! This is a cocktail you'll be making for every celebration all summer.
After all the fruity cocktail recipes I've brought to y'all over these last couple of years, I wanted to make the first smash recipe of the season a special one.
As you know, Juneteenth is this weekend, and red drinks are an important part of the Juneteenth celebrations. The red color stands for resilience and sacrifice, representing the blood of the ancestors that was spilled.
Usually they're drinks made with hibiscus (also called sorrel) or even sodas with strawberry syrup and sparkling water, but since it's Thirsty Thursday I figured I'd bring a summer drink that uses seasonal fruit, is just as fizzy as any soda, and is a perfect addition to your Juneteenth cookout or any summer day.
You may think 'well, aren't blueberries blue?' Whenever you muddle blueberries they usually turn whatever cocktail a deep red gorgeous color.
I made the blueberries kind of jammy by muddling them with some local honey, lemon juice and zest, and fresh thyme, then made it a little interesting with some mezcal (which is tequila's sister made from roasted agave) and that bubbly water to top it.
It's a little smoky from the mezcal, sweet from the fresh berries and honey, a little tang with that natural lemon flavor from the zest and juice... it's a fantastic summer cocktail.
Ingredients
Fresh blueberries. You can make a simple blueberry syrup, use frozen blueberries or even use blueberry jam!
Honey. I absolutely love how the flavor of honey works with both the blueberries and the flavor of the mezcal. If you're not a honey fan, simple syrup works just as well to sweeten it up!
Fresh thyme. I've got a ton in my garden right now, and it's smell reminds me of lemon starbursts. It's crazy how different it tastes compared to the ones I would find at the grocery store.
Lemons. Lime juice also works here with the mezcal flavors.
Mezcal. This is tequila's smoky-ish sister. If that's not your kind of party, this drink is also delicious with vodka, gin, or bourbon!
Bubbly water. You can use whatever bubbly mixer you like. Club soda, soda water, tonic water...but if you're like me who loves ginger beer do it! Or if you can't handle the spiciness of it, ginger ale also works.
Add a classic cocktail garnish like mint leaves, or get a little fancy with pretty and edible flowers!
How to Make a Honey Blueberry Smash Cocktail
First smash the blueberries with your honey, lemon juice, and thyme at the bottom of a double old fashioned glass. You can do this easily with a muddler but if you don't have one, use the end of a wooden spoon.
Add a scoop of crushed ice, then pour the mezcal over the top. Add your bubbles, give it a stir and garnish.
Super easy, with amazing flavors.
What is Mezcal?
Technically, any alcoholic spirit that is distilled from maguey (agave) plants, is a mezcal. That includes the ever-popular tequila!
While tequila is made by steaming the maguey leaves, mezcal is a craft spirit made by roasting them instead. This is what can give mezcal a hint of smokiness, but depending on the type of agave plant you'll end up with fruity or floral notes as well.
Make a Pitcher for a Crowd
To make a pitcher, you can muddle the berries in the bottom of a bowl or large pitcher or (my favorite way) make a blueberry lemon thyme simple syrup. How?
1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar, ½ cup blueberries, a strip of lemon peel (just use your vegetable peeler for a quick zip of lemon skin), and a couple of Bring it to a boil in a medium saucepan until the sugar is dissolved, then simmer for 10 minutes.
Strain in a mesh sieve and boom, an amazing blueberry syrup to use in cocktails, mocktails, or even pancakes! Let it cool in the fridge before adding it to the pitcher.
Now add a couple of cups of ice cubes to the pitcher, pour in 1 cup of mezcal, ¼ cup lemon juice, and fill the pitcher with your ginger bear or club soda. Give it a stir, garnish with lemon wedges or wheels, and you have a refreshing drink for the party!
This is great any time of the year: from summer cookouts to fall game days. You can use frozen blueberries to make the syrup and carry on from there.
More Summery Cocktails
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Honey Blueberry Thyme Smash
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme, plush sprigs for serving
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 ounces mezcal
- Club soda or ginger beer, for topping
Instructions
- In two double old fashioned glasses, muddle the blueberries, honey, thyme, and lemon juice to release the blueberry juices.
- Add in ice, then pour in the mezcal and club soda or ginger beer.
- Stir with a cocktail spoon and garnish with a fresh thyme sprig.
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