Blueberry Martini and Italian Soda (Using Homemade Drink Syrups)

Quick Summary: A simple blueberry martini made with vodka and a homemade blueberry drink syrup. The same syrup transforms sparkling water into an Italian soda or elevates lemonade. Includes tips on infusing syrups with lavender or tarragon. Prep: 5 min | Serves: 1

Jump to: RECIPE | Homemade vs Commercial | Best Infusions | Italian Sodas with Blueberry Syrup | Infused Drink Syrups | FAQ

Blueberry drink syrups (shrub syrups or simple syrups) offer an awesome way to turn a simple cocktail into a blueberry martini or a blueberry craft signature cocktail. Don’t drink alcohol? Blueberry drink syrups added to a little sparkling water makes an incredible Italian soda. Add a bit of cream and you have a French soda!

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Homemade Drink Syrups vs Commercial Simple Syrups

In an effort to put my decade of  bartending experience  together with my decade(s) of farming experience,  I developed a wide range of drink syrups which I sold online up until 2022. 

The syrups included a range of fruity-acid shrub syrups, as well as the sweeter fruit and herbal simple syrups.

There is no easier way to turn a standard cocktail (or mocktail) into something special than by using fruit drink syrups made with real, whole fruit.

The “shrub” type of syrups are fruit based syrups that have vinegar added, giving them a refreshing acidity balanced out by the sugar and fruit.  

The simple syrups do not have added vinegar and therefore tend to be sweeter.

Both types of drink syrups are often infused with herbs or spices.

Best Infusions for Blueberry Drink Syrups

There are all kinds of different infusions that could go with blueberry syrups. My favorite blueberry drink syrups have included the following flavor infusions:

• Pomegranate and pink peppercorns
• Fresh Tarragon
• Culinary lavender

If you want to experiment with homemade blueberry drink syrups, this guide on homemade blueberry shrub syrups will help. The photo below is made with an infusion of fresh lavender, but a tarragon infusion might be easier as tarragon is readily available in most grocery stores.

Infusing blueberry drink syrups with lavender is a really nice pairing of fruit and herb, but culinary lavender is a bit more difficult to find. If you happen to grow your own, that is perfect!!

Cocktails and Mocktails are very forgiving, so feel free to experiment with proportions.

How to Make a Blueberry Martini

The ingredient and recipe details are listed in the recipe card below. In short, fill a shaker with ice, add vodka, blueberry drink syrup, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh blueberries.

For the Blueberry Drink Syrup:

To make your own signature drinks flavored with syrups check out this guide for homemade simple syrups and shrub syrups.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks with Blueberry Drink Syrup

Italian Sodas:

For the easiest mocktail or Italian soda ever, just fill a glass with club, sparkling water, or tonic water and stir in 2-3 Tablespoons of blueberry simple syrup.

Blueberry Lemonade

In the Summer try stirring the syrup into a tall glass of lemonade. The ratios for drinks made with simple syrups or shrub syrups are 4:1 (4 parts liquid to 1 part simple syrup).

FAQ

Check out more blueberry recipes from our farm, from sweet to savory to cocktails to preserves.