Looking for a refreshing gin cocktail? This gorgeous Blueberry Gin Sour is the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
I have been so frustrated lately. Frustrated with the mess in the house (epic), the lack of proper kitchen (currently inevitable), the gloomy days and lack of decent light which makes blog photography very hard… I know that I should somehow suck it up and get through this but, honestly, I felt a severe lack of blogging mojo this week.
I think I need to step back and feel inspired again and meeting up with fellow food blogger Julia (of Vikalinka) this week and sharing our frustrations helped enormously (if you aren’t familiar with her blog do yourselves a favour and check it out – she is one very talented lady). Julia, if you are reading this, you helped much more than you know.
To combat my feelings of helplessness I made a cake today – for no other reason other than I NEEDED some cake. It was a make-it-up-as-you-go-along affair, finally using up the blueberries which kept falling out of the freezer (it is packed higgledy piggledy) and the cream cheese which I bought for another recipe and never used. The cake was a hit and the simple act of baking something made feel miles better.
There were a few leftover blueberries and in a fit of ‘waste not, want not’ I decided I would use them up in a cocktail. And thus the Blueberry Gin Sour was born. A very nice ending for those leftover blueberries and a real creative shot in the arm for me.
How to make a blueberry gin sour
Step 1. Muddle the blueberries, lemon juice and sugar (or sugar syrup). This can be done in a glass as in the video or directly in your cocktail shaker. If you want a really smooth cocktail then strain the pulp first and use the juice only in the cocktail.
Step 2. Add the gin and egg white and shake without ice. This (called a dry shake) will cause the egg white to foam up more but it’s not essential. Using a fresh egg white, as opposed to pasteurised egg white from a carton, will also create a better foam.
Step 3. If you have shaken without ice now is the time to add plenty of ice and shake again to chill your drink. Taste your cocktail by dipping a straw into the shaker. Make any final adjustments: do you need to add more lemon juice?
Step 4. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice or a chilled coupe glass without ice if you prefer.
Love blueberries? Try these recipes!
- Blueberry basil Moscow Mule cocktail
- Blueberry bundt cake with blueberry lemon glaze
- No-Bake Blueberry Lime Cheesecake
- Blueberry Waffles with Whipped Coconut Cream
- Blueberry and Almond Traybake
Blueberry gin sour cocktail
Ingredients
- 100 g | 3.5oz | 1 cup fresh or frozen and defrosted blueberries
- 2 tbsp simple syrup or 1 tbsp sugar
- 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice from one large lemon
- 2 tbsp egg white
- 100 ml | 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp gin
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters optional
- lemon peel to serve
Instructions
- Put the blueberries, lemon juice, simple syrup (or sugar) in a glass or measuring jug and muddle with the back end of a rolling pin (or a muddler).
- Add the muddled blueberries into your shaker.
- Add the gin, bitters and egg white and shake vigorously to foam up the egg white. Be careful as the egg white will expand and your shaker might leak.
- Add plenty of ice into your shaker and shake for 30 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into two rocks glasses filled with ice. Decorate with a slice of lemon peel.
Kate says
Lush, requires a good shake to froth it though – the 30 secs make all the difference!!
Lucy Parissi says
I also find using eggs as opposed to pasteurised egg whites is a big deal! Real eggs all the way
Unknown says
glasses? where did you find those?
Lucy Parissi says
Good ol' Ikea is the source of the glases : )
Anne Dalzell says
Beautiful. The pictures, the colours, the sound of that gin – is it strange that i was drawn to this at 9.19am?!!
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
Sour cocktails are just the best. Plus, blueberry, lemon, and gin are a match made in heaven!
Lucy Parissi says
I know right? I spent a fortune once drinking Pisco Sours at the Savoy hotel. That was a fun night!
Gemma says
Lucy, honestly, these pictures look absolutely beautiful! No need to feel frustrated nor helpless my dear! I mean, you outdo yourself with each new post. But I know that feeling, sometimes we strive for perfection and it's hard when things don't turn out the way we imagined. 🙂
Look at that bright gorgeous fuchsia color! <3
xoxo
Lucy Parissi says
Thanks Gemma… I am definitely riding a new learning curve when it comes to blog photography. It's adjusting to the winter light and my very limited space I am using currently.
Luca Marchiori says
I am feeling so thirsty now but the sun's not yet over the yard arm. Beautiful!
helen says
this looks & sounds soooo good! and gorgeous pics too.
Sam Williams says
What a beautiful looking cocktail
Tracy K Nixon says
Love the colours! So festive!
Emine Hassan says
Lucy, your styling/photography continues to inspire me. Must have coffee soon?! x
Lucy Parissi says
Definitely – lets put something in the diary
Felicity Kelly says
Everything you do looks so beautiful! This looks divine
tinkertink2010 says
Such a lovely colour! Make me a glass! Have got no blueberries in 🙁
Julia@ Vikalinka says
What a gorgeous cocktail! Lucy, you will laugh but I made a cognac sour today and will be posting soon. We must have some sort of connection after all! You inspired me with your amazing bar tending skills! Beautiful photography as usual and thank you for your kind words. 🙂 xxx
Lucy Parissi says
I love sour cocktails – so easy and just completely addictive. Which reminds me must get some Pisco… I really mean it when I say seeing you made me feel more inspired. I employed some of your techniques on the cocktail photos : )