Blueberry Old Fashioned

August 3, 2012
I have told you about my in-laws vacation cocktail, the Old Fashioned, made with sugar-free Squirt. I have known of this cocktail for some time. We actually have a history, you rascal of a bourbon cocktail!
Before I knew this as my in-laws summer drink of choice, this sweet cocktail used to be my husband and my wedding drink of choice. Most people go to a glass of white wine, a spritzer of some sort, or a seven and seven.
Not us. We went for the hard stuff. Maybe it is because we were young, reckless, and in our early twenties.
At one particular wedding in which I was the maid of honor, my husband, I, and all my friends were having such a great time dancing the night away. Mike and I were sipping (I use that term loosely) our Old Fashioned’s throughout most of the reception.
We were having so much fun we failed to notice, until much later in the night, that the DJ had in fact played the Cupid Shuffle at least ten times. But, as the drinks kept flowing and the shuffles kept pumping, we just kind of went with it.
Towards the end of the reception I looked over to see my husband and one of our friends go to the bar and order an old fashioned together. They looked deep into planning something devious. I could tell from all their giggling.
Since I was the MOH, I had more important duties to attend to than babysitting my husband and our friend, so I moved on.
A few minutes later, a small circle has gathered on the dance floor. From the outer edges of the circle I can see the heads of my husband and our taller more muscular friend, aka his bar talk coconspirator.
The next thing I saw is still amazes me to this day. I saw our taller muscular friend grab Mike by his waist and toss him into the air as if he is a rag doll. Mike shot up over the circle and in fact touched the chandelier hanging from the reception hall ceiling!!
I made my way to the middle of the circle to see if I really just saw what I thought I saw. Yep. True story. The small circle was applauding and wanting more. Luckily, the guys had enough sense to stop while they were ahead, meaning no cracked skulls or broken chandeliers.
They next day, we woke up in our hotel room surrounded by ten of our closest friends (don’t act like you never packed that many people into a hotel room for a wedding). Mike and I decided from hence forward, no more Old Fashioned’s at weddings.
We still do enjoy the cocktail in moderation or as an after dinner drink. We even dabble in coming up with new fresh takes on this classic.
When the great people at Sazerac sent me some of their classic bourbons to test out, I knew I had to use the W.L. Weller for an old fashioned!
I was told that this bourbon would be similar to Maker’s Mark. It totally was!!! I happen to think it is a lot smoother tasting and a little less harsh that Maker’s. In fact, I have since gone to our local Binny’s liquor store and purchased this bourbon for our household.
The subtle sweet notes go really well with the summery blueberry taste in this cocktail. I highly recommend you head to your store and sample some for yourselves. But beware; you may end up being tossed into the air by a pal later in the night after drinking a few of these!
Ingredients (Makes 2 Cocktails)
1 Cup Fresh Blueberries
4 Ounces W.L. Weller Bourbon (you can also use Maker’s Mark or any bourbon you prefer)
1 Cup Seltzer Water/Soda Water
1 Teaspoon Orange Juice, freshly squeezed
1 Teaspoon Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
Add the bourbon and blueberries to a blender. Puree for a minute. Pour the bourbon and blueberry puree through a strainer or cheesecloth into a measuring cup or some other cup with a spout.
Pour half of the bourbon/blueberry liquid into the bottom of two glasses. Add a few cubes of ice to each glass along with a ½ cup of soda water/seltzer water, ½ a teaspoon orange juice, ½ teaspoon lime juice, and ½ a teaspoon lemon juice.
Garnish with a few slices of citrus. Give each cocktail a little stir and then enjoy!
P.S. If you make a big batch and put it in a mason jar, it makes a great housewarming or hostess gift!
All of the opinions in this post are solely my own. I was not paid by Sazerac. I was generously given some of their products to taste test.

You Might Also Like

  • MissMessy
    August 3, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Gosh i can almost taste this! Yummy!