A Blueberry Cocktail and My First Event

So, I love to make cocktails. It is just one of my favorite things to do, and nothing is better than kicking back on your Front Porch on a Friday or Saturday night, martini glass or highball in hand, and savoring your creation. Also, I LOVE reading about other people's drink creations. I mean, you can never have enough mixed drink recipes up your sleeve, right? From a watermelon cucumber mojito to my newest creation: blueberry herb martini, I have tried them all, and I just love them! My favorite thing is using fresh, seasonal ingredients to really maximize the benefits I get from my weekend Farmer's Market trips. Hence my blueberry creation this time.

All of this thinking caused me to decide that I would really love to host a cocktail themed event, and get everyone else's input on their favorite "front porch" drink. Now, I know... I only have like 5, maybe 6 people who read this blog. So, this seems sorta silly, right? Oh well. Even if I only get 2 or 3 new recipes, I will be one happy blogger :)

So here's the deal. I leave for Costa Rica August 15. I'd love to post all this stuff before then, so let's say everything needs to be submitted by August 10th. Give me your name, city, recipe and blog link, and a picture if you want, in a manageable size. If you don't have a blog, no worries! Just send the recipe on over anyway. Email me at heather dot rascona at gmail dot com.

Now, here's the rules. Whatever your drink, it should be predominantly comprised of fruits, vegetables and other items you can find at your local farmer's market (or at least stuff that is in season where you live). I know, of course, no one is selling vodka or tequila at your local FM, and you'll probably need a juice mixer... that's fine. But maybe you have a great bitters recipe, or you make your own sour mix? I want to know! So get out there, start taste testing, and send me an email when you can see straight again! Don't drink alcohol? No worries. Send me a non-alcoholic beverage... that will work too!

So anyway, my drink... I had extra blueberries today. I made a blueberry and peach fruit salad with a greek yogurt dressing, and had an avocado, rotisserie chicken and white peach wrap for lunch, so all my peaches were gone. But those poor blueberries, just sitting there languishing... what to do?! I came up with this. Hope you enjoy!

about 20 blueberries, rinsed
4-5 basil leaves
3-4 mint leaves (just a hint of flavor from the mint)
2-3 tsp honey
pinch of sugar
juice from 1/2 a lime
1/4 c vodka
ice
cranberry juice to top

muddle herbs, lime juice, blueberries and sugar in martini shaker. Add vodka, honey and ice. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds. Pour into martini glass until 3/4 full. Top with cranberry juice and serve. I would have garnished with a fresh blueberry, but I was all out!