BLACKBERRY ELDERFLOWER COCKTAIL

aka Farrell's Creek Farm "Homegrown Cocktail"

A refreshing cocktail made with fresh berries, sparkling water and a sweetener of your choice. You can use any berries you would like, and sweeteners can range from anything from honey; to homemade simple syrup, maple syrup or agave ; or even Stevia (based on your preference and taste). If you are not a "gin drinker," vodka or even tequila could be a substitute, though we suggest you try this recipe before you tell yourself gin is not your jam!

Speaking of "jam," fresh berries make this cocktail. It's a little sweet... a little tart... and it goes quicker than you would think. Farrells Creek Farm, in North Carolina, provided the fresh berries, mint and honey for this delectable cocktail. There is nothing quite like picking your own produce, seeing where the honey hails from, and creating a masterpiece of a cocktail, especially on a warm summer day.

INGREDIENTS

Blackberries
Blueberries
Mint Leaves
Honey
Gin of Choice (We prefer Uncle Val's Botanical Gin)
Elderflower Liqueur (We prefer St. Elder's Natural Elderflower Liqueur)
Sparkling Water or Club Soda

TOOLS

Muddler or Mortar and Pestle Set
Mixing Tin/Shaker
Strainer
Glassware (looks great in a Mason Jar!)

Check out the links below for some of our favorites!

Our recipe for one cocktail:

Muddle 3 blackberries, 4 blueberries, 4 - 6 mint leaves (depending on size).

In your mixing tin, add 1/4 ounce of warmed honey to muddled mixture, then add 1.25 ounces of Uncle Val's Botanical Gin, 0.5 ounce of St. Elder's Natural Elderflower Liqueur and stir. Add ice and shake vigorously.

Strain into ice-filled Mason Jar, highball glass or preferred glassware.

Top with your favorite berry sparkling water. Garnish with berries, speared with a sprig of mint leaves... and ENJOY!

Variations:

Replace gin with vodka and use simple syrup instead of honey, in the same amounts...
Replace sparkling water with a berry-flavored kombucha...
Replace gin with tequila and use agave instead of honey, in the same amounts...
For a mocktail, double the berries or use lemon-lime soda instead of alcohol...
Hold the gin and muddle berries and mint with liqueur, spoon into bottom of champagne flute and top with your favorite sparkling wine, then garnish across the top...
Try with fresh strawberries and raspberries instead!

Have fun with it!