And I can’t get enough of this Blueberry Lemon Gin Rickey.
One of my favorite flavor combinations has always been blueberry and lemon.
Whether it’s blueberry lemon muffins or even cake, I just have to have it.
It’s the perfect flavor combination and to me, it just spells summer.
So naturally, I enjoy a great cocktail recipe with those flavors too.
I really like making this cocktail because the natural sweetness from the blueberries.
And the tartness from the lemon goes so well with a drink that’s made with another favorite citrus, lime.
Enjoy a delicious blueberry lemon gin rickey cocktail
When blueberries are in season, I like to make as many fresh drinks with them as I can.
Their flavor bursts beautifully with different spirits, especially gin.
There’s something about a delicious botanical blend combined with taste of fresh blueberries.
The fragrance, which greatly influences the drink’s taste, is a delight.
It’s a perfect drink to serve for just about any occasion.
Since it is such a beautiful and stunningly colorful drink, we also really like serving it for parties.
It’s perfect for a patriotic holiday get together, but it’s equally delightful to serve it for brunch.
You can also make it by the pitcher ahead of time.
Just prepare the blueberry, lime, and gin mixture in advance, and top it off with the lemon seltzer when you serve.
What is a gin rickey?
A gin rickey is a carbonated drink served in a tall or highball glass.
It’s typically made with gin, but some people also make them with bourbon.
The important thing is that it doesn’t have any added sugar.
It’s gets it’s flavors and sweetness from the fresh ingredients.
Most gin rickey cocktail recipes are made with fresh squeezed lime juice like we’ve done and then topped off with club soda or other carbonated water.
We used fresh lime juice like the traditional recipe calls for.
But we wanted to get some of that delicious blueberry lemon flavor to add another dimension to the drink.
So we used a lemon flavored seltzer to achieve the lemon flavor.
Ingredients
To make the drink, you will need:
Gin – I used Caorunn, a London dry gin made in the Scottish highlands with a delicious botanical flavor profile.
You may use your favorite gin as well.
Lime Juice – Fresh squeezed lime juice is the best way to make the drink.
Lemon Seltzer Water – I used the one from Waterloo.
It’s nice and light and adds just the right amount of bubbles and fizz.
Fresh blueberries – I muddled the heck out of the blueberries to get as much fresh juice from them as possible.
Fresh mint – I garnished the drink with fresh mint.
You may also garnish the drink with a slices of lemon and lime or a cocktail skewer with blueberries.
You will also need a citrus squeezer, cutting board, knife mixing glass, a muddling stick, a fine mesh strainer, a jigger or measuring cup, and a beverage glass.
Substitutions
Note: Since you can make a rickey with bourbon, you may substitute your favorite bourbon for the gin and make a bourbon rickey as well.
You may also substitute frozen blueberries for the fresh.
Let them thaw, and I like to pat them dry before muddling to avoid watering down the drink.
If you don’t have seltzer water, you may substitute lemon club soda, or club soda with a splash of fresh lemon juice.
Can I serve this drink without alcohol?
Yes, you sure can!
What you’ll end up with is a blueberry lemon spritz.
And that’s delicious.
Simply omit the gin and follow the remainder of the instructions to make the drink.
It’s really tasty.
How to make a gin rickey with fresh blueberries
You’ll begin by preparing the fruit.
If you’re making fresh squeezed lime juice, you’ll want to roll the fruit back and forth on your cutting board.
Rolling the limes prior to squeezing them helps you to get more juice from the fruit.
Then slice the fruit in half.
Using a citrus squeezer, place one half of the fruit in the squeezer.
If you’re using a hand-held squeezer, squeeze the fruit firmly.
If you’re using a press, press the fruit against the press so that it will press the juice from the fruit’s flesh.
I prefer using a hand-held squeezer because it also helps to release some of the fruit’s essential oils which makes a delightful aromatic.
Mine’s broken at the moment, and I made the drink during the shelter at home period, so I am using my press.
Place your fresh blueberries in the bottom of your mixing glass.
Place the fine mesh strainer over the top of the mixing glass and the lime juice over the blueberries.
Pour the gin into the mixing glass.
Using your muddling stick, muddle the blueberries to release their juice.
The juice will combine with the lime juice and gin.
You really want to mash the heck out of the berries to get as much juice from them as you can.
The blueberries will turn dark purple and the juice will begin to look pink.
Fill your beverage glass with ice.
Using your fine mesh strainer, pour the blueberry, lime juice and gin mixture over the ice.
It will have the consistency of a light syrup.
To get more liquid from the fruit mixture, you may wish to press the fruit against the side of the mesh strainer.
Top the drink with lemon seltzer water.
Pro-Tip: Want to take the drink to the next level?
Gently squeeze your lime and lemon peel over the top of the drink to release the fruits’ essential oils onto the drink’s surface.
This leaves not only a delightful fragrance which is part of enjoying the drink, but it also adds just a touch more citrus flavor.
Garnish with a mint sprig, slices or lemons and limes, or a blueberry skewer and enjoy!
More delicious drinks to make with fresh fruit:
We think fresh ingredients, especially fresh fruit, makes some of the best drinks.
These are some of our favorite fruity cocktail recipes. I hope you find some you would like to try.
Raspberry and Blueberry Tequila Mojito
Blackberry Peach Vodka Cocktail
Blackberry Thyme Margarita Smash
Blackberry Fireball Whiskey Fizz
Raspberry Peach Prosecco Popsicles
try it and share!
Please let us know how you enjoy our Blueberry Lemon Gin Rickey recipe.
If you make it yourself, please let us know on Pinterest that you tried it and tag us with #champagneandcoconuts on your Instagram photo.
If you haven’t had a chance to make it yet, be sure to save the recipe on Pinterest so you’ll remember where you found it.
Blueberry Lemon Gin Rickey
Equipment
- Citrus Squeezer
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Mixing Glass or Jar
- Muddling Stick
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Beverage Glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- ½ oz Lime Juice fresh squeezed
- 1 oz Fresh Blueberries
- 2 oz Lemon Seltzer Water
Instructions
- Using a citrus squeezer, squeeze the lime.
- Add blueberries, gin, and lime juice to a mixing glass or jar.
- Using a muddling stick, muddle the blueberries until they are thoroughly macerated.
- Fill your beverage glass with ice.
- Hold a fine mesh strainer over the beverage glass. Pour the blueberry mixture through the strainer over the ice. To release more juice, press the blueberry mixture against the side of the mesh with a spoon.
- Top the drink with lemon seltzer water.
- Garnish with mint, lemon or lime slices, or a blueberries on a cocktail pick.
Notes
Nutrition
Hi, I’m Jennifer. I love to cook and entertain. I have a lot of fun sharing traditional food and drink recipes as well as putting a new spin on the classics. I strive to provide easy to make recipes that are perfect for the home cook, bartender and entertainer.
Lemon blueberry is one of my favorite combinations too! Looks delicious!
Refreshing and delicioua drink this is. Must try!
Oh this looks super refreshing. The perfect summer cocktail.