Blueberry Infused Vodka Frozen Lemonade Cocktail

If you are not a fan of the strong taste of alcohol but still want to enjoy happy hour with the rest of your friends, a Blueberry Infused Vodka Frozen Lemonade cocktail will do the trick.

This refreshing cocktail is simple, light, and fruity – the embodiment of summer in a glass. Infused vodka does not pack quite a punch as straight vodka, making it a favorite among light or social drinkers.

But homemade infused vodka is way better than any store-bought one you can find. The taste of the fruit is much stronger and crisper and mellows the harshness of your spirit. Add the tartness of a freshly-made lemonade and you’ve got yourself the perfect cocktail.

During those lazy summer evenings (or weekend afternoons, why not?) with friends at the table, a homemade Blueberry Infused Vodka Frozen Lemonade is sure to perk up the conversation and unwind you and your guests.

Blueberries: Frozen or Fresh?

Blueberries don’t just go well with your oatmeal breakfast, they are a fantastic fruit to use in all sorts of recipes, as they require no peeling, hulling or pitting. Sweeter than grapes and without any inconveniencing pits, blueberries are a favorite summer berry that matches perfectly with vodka.

You can use both frozen or fresh blueberries for this cocktail. To add a little texture to your drink, you can leave a few berries frozen and use them as garnish. They will be like little sweet ice cubes that will keep your drink cooler for longer.

If you don’t want them just floating around in your glass, you can skewer the berries on small wooden sticks, sprinkle some sugar, and leave them in the freezer for nearly an hour.

For a fancier presentation, pop some leftover blueberries in your ice cube tray with some lemonade and make some decorative ice cubes.

Can I Use Blueberry Syrup?

To infuse your vodka, you will have to muddle your blueberries with the sugar, which is a fancy term for crushing the blueberries around with a wooden spoon to break down the sugar and release the berry juice.

Another alternative is to make a simple blueberry syrup. For this, you will need to mix equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. After you have dissolved the sugar in the heated water, throw in your blueberries and lightly crush them with your spoon. Then let it all boil to a simmer till your mixture has reached a thick texture. Strain the mixture over a sieve let your syrup cool down.

The Lemonade

While store-bought lemonade is also fine, I prefer making my own, as you can adjust the sweetness or tartness of your lemonade. Squeeze some lemons and mix with honey or sugar, put the mixture with some ice in the blender, and your slushy lemonade is done.

Vodka to Lemonade Ratio

Whether you want your cocktail to be more alcoholic or lemony is up to you. To have a balance between the two flavors, I recommend using 2 parts lemonade and 1 part blueberry infused vodka.

This way your cocktail will have a bite to it, but while still being sweet and refreshing. Keep in mind that the lemonade and blueberries hide the alcohol really well, so be mindful of how many glasses you have.

Choosing the Best Vodka

This is a matter of preference. Some like their vodka smoother, re-distilled or with rich creamy notes. I would suggest picking the vodka with the least strong notes or aftertaste, as it would take away from the fruitiness of the blueberries. But if you have a personal favorite and think it will go well with your cocktail, you can experiment and adjust this recipe as you wish.

Ingredients

For the Blueberry Flavored Vodka:

  • 2 cups Vodka
  • ½ cup fresh or defrosted blueberries
  • ½ cup of blueberries for decorating
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons sparkling water

For the Lemonade:

  • 2 cups of ice
  • 2 cups of lemonade

Instructions:

  • Wash and dry the blueberries. If they are frozen, let them thaw before using them.
  • Put blueberries in a mason jar and using a fork or a wooden spoon, mash up the berries at the bottom of the jar.
  • Then add the sugar and tablespoons of sparkling water (you can add some mint here as well for an even fresher taste), mash them up some more, and then pour in your vodka.
  • After tightly closing the lid, let the mixture rest in the fridge for 12 to 36 hours. You need a minimum of 12 hours to let the blueberry flavor seep into the vodka. The vodka will turn a cloudy shade of purple, and the longer it infuses, the stronger the color will be. Also, the more you leave it, the stronger the blueberry taste.
  • Shake and cover the jar and store in a cool dark place. If you want your vodka to infuse faster do not put it in the fridge.
  • Taste test your infused vodka after 12 hours to see if it has the blueberry flavor you want. Leave it more if you want it fruitier.
  • Take a cullender (or a cheesecloth if you don’t have any) and strain the vodka into another jar. Save the blueberry mash and place them in an ice tray and freeze them (step completely optional, but I really hate waste).
  • Put the 2 cups of lemonade along with the ice and blend. Add more ice if you like it very slushy.
  • In a pitcher, pour 1 part of infused vodka and 2 parts frozen lemonade and mix. To make it less slushy, add more sparkling water.
  • Garnish with frozen blueberries or blueberry cubes.
  • Get out your favorite cocktail glasses or mason jars and serve.
  • Cheers!!

If you are in the mood for something slushy, fruity, and not too alcoholic, try making this Blueberry Infused Vodka Frozen Lemonade cocktail for a pleasant summer buzz. The infusing process might take a while(some even leave it for 7 days), but I promise it will be worth the wait.

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