Pioneer Woman Blueberry Mojitos

These blueberry mojitos are made with a quick blueberry syrup, muddled fresh mint and lime, silver rum, and sparkling water. They’re fruity, fizzy, and balanced between sweet and tart. They take about 30 minutes and make 4 drinks.

The blueberry syrup is the base you build on. Simmer berries with sugar and water, mash them, then strain out the solids. Make it ahead and keep it, since it holds for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Muddling matters. Bruise the mint with sugar first to release its oils, then muddle the lime wedges to juice them. That pulls out the flavor that gives a mojito its signature taste. Skip it and the drink comes out flat.

Pioneer Woman Blueberry Mojitos

Author: Hamdi Saidani Cuisine:American Courses:Blueberry Desserts Drinks

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 30 minutesTotal time:1 hour 50 minutesServings:4 servingsCalories:300 kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

These blueberry mojitos muddle fresh mint and lime with a homemade blueberry syrup, silver rum, and sparkling water. A fruity, fizzy twist on the classic summer cocktail.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups blueberries (about 8 ounces)
  
• 1/4 cup sugar
  
• 1/4 cup mint leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
  
• 2 limes, quartered
  
• 1 cup silver rum
  
• 1 cup sparkling water

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of the blueberries, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, and 2 tablespoons water to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook, breaking up the blueberries with a potato masher or wooden spoon and stirring occasionally, until syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and press through a fine mesh strainer into a heatproof bowl. Let cool at room temperature for 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
   
2. In a large pitcher, muddle the mint leaves and the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar with a muddler or wooden spoon until the mint is bruised and fragrant and the sugar starts to dissolve. Add the lime wedges and keep muddling until the limes are juiced. Stir in the blueberry syrup, rum, and sparkling water.
   
3. Divide the remaining blueberries among 4 tall glasses. Fill them with ice and pour in the mojitos. Garnish each glass with a sprig of mint.

FAQs

Can I make these non-alcoholic?

Yes. Skip the rum and add extra sparkling water or a splash of lemon-lime soda for a mocktail. You still get the full blueberry-mint-lime flavor, just without the booze.

Why do I muddle the mint and lime?

Muddling bruises the mint to release its oils and juices the limes. That’s what gives a mojito its fresh, signature flavor. Muddle the mint with sugar first, then the lime, and don’t skip it or the drink tastes flat.

Can I use frozen blueberries for the syrup?

Yes. Frozen berries work just as well as fresh here. No need to thaw them. Toss them straight into the saucepan with the sugar and water and simmer as directed.

Can I use a different berry or herb?

Yes. Blackberries or raspberries swap in for the blueberries, and basil or lemon balm can replace the mint. Whichever you use, still muddle it to release the flavor.

What else can I do with the blueberry syrup?

Plenty. Drizzle it over pancakes or waffles, stir it into lemonade or iced tea, or spoon it over vanilla ice cream. It also mixes into yogurt or sparkling water. For another cool blueberry drink, try my Blueberry Yogurt Smoothie.