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Epicurious

Blueberry-Apple Cordials

Image may contain Glass Drink Alcohol Beverage Wine Cocktail Goblet and Red Wine
Photo by Eva Kolenko

For those times when you buy as many quarts of berries as you can carry, then don’t know what to do with them, preserve them into drinkable form.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 2 1/2 cups

Ingredients

2 cups fresh blueberries
1 wide strip lemon zest
2 cups applejack brandy (such as Laird’s Jersey Lightning)
Simple syrup (for serving)
Sparkling wine or club soda (for serving; optional)

Special Equipment

One 32-ounce jar; 3 layers of cheesecloth

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine blueberries, lemon zest, and brandy in jar and seal tightly. Let sit in a cool dark place, shaking jar daily, until mixture is a deep purple color, about 1 month.

    Step 2

    Strain mixture through cheesecloth into a pitcher or large bowl (do not press on solids or mixture will become cloudy) and add simple syrup to taste. Chill until cold, about 30 minutes. Serve cordial in small glasses.

    Step 3

    To make a spritzer, place 1 oz. cordial in a flute and top off with sparkling wine.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 4

    Strained cordial mixture can be made 6 months ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

TagsCocktailAlcoholBeveragesSpritzBrandyBlueberryBerryFruitNo-CookBon Appétit
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