Fresh blueberries and sage muddled together, vodka, sage syrup, and a splash of fresh lemon juice, topped with soda water. The sage adds an earthy note that makes this a lot more interesting than your average fruity vodka drink.
About this recipe
This is a vodka cocktail built around muddled fresh blueberries and sage leaves, sweetened with sage simple syrup and topped with soda water. It’s made like a mojito, just muddle the blueberries and sage directly in the glass, build the drink over it, fill with ice, and top with soda.
The fresh blueberries give you a deep purple color and bright fruit flavor, and the sage, both muddled fresh and in the syrup gives the drink a savory herby note that’s really unexpected and really good. I muddle the blueberries and sage together in the glass. Blueberries need a firm press to break down properly, and that pressure is enough to release the sage oils without over-working the leaves. One firm muddle and you’re done.
For more vodka cocktail ideas, browse my vodka cocktail recipes.
Key ingredients and why
- Vodka: The base spirit. Keeps things clean and lets the blueberry and sage come through. For more ideas, browse my vodka cocktail recipes.
- Fresh blueberries: About 12 to 15 per drink, muddled with the sage. They need a firm press to break down properly.
- Fresh sage leaves: Muddled together with the blueberries. The pressure needed to break down the blueberries is enough to release the sage oils without over-working them.
- Sage simple syrup: Adds sweetness and a concentrated sage flavor. My homemade sage simple syrup is quick to make and keeps in the fridge for two weeks.
- Fresh lemon juice: Brightens the drink and balances the sweetness.
- Soda water: Tops the drink and adds fizz.
Method
- Add about 15 fresh blueberries and sage leaves to the bottom of a tall highball glass.
- Muddle firmly until the blueberries are fully broken down.
- Add the vodka, sage syrup, and lemon juice directly to the glass.
- Fill with ice and top with soda water. Give it a stir.
- Garnish with fresh sage leaves and blueberries.
Ways to make it even more flavorful
- Blueberry infused vodka instead of plain vodka for a more intense blueberry flavor throughout the drink.
- Blueberry syrup instead of or alongside the sage syrup if you want more fruit and less herb.
- Blueberry sage syrup – make a simple syrup with both fresh sage and blueberries steeped together for a syrup that brings both flavors at once. Use it in place of the sage syrup in the recipe.
- Want something more cocktail-forward? Try the blueberry sage martini – same flavors, shaken and served up with Martini Bianco.
Related recipes
- Blueberry Gin Sour – blueberry with gin and egg white foam
- Raspberry Mint Martini – another fruity muddled cocktail
Blueberry Sage Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- 1 oz sage simple syrup
- .75 oz lemon juice fresh
- 12-15 whole blueberries fresh or frozen (thawed)
- 3-4 fresh sage leaves
- 3 oz soda water or more to taste
- Ice
- Fresh sage leaves and fresh blueberries to garnish
Instructions
- Add the fresh blueberries and sage leaves to a tall highball glass.
- Muddle firmly until the blueberries are fully broken down.
- Add the vodka, sage syrup, and lemon juice.
- Fill with ice.
- Top with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with fresh sage leaves and a skewer of blueberries.
Notes
- Sage Syrup: Full recipe at sage simple syrup. Keeps in the fridge for two weeks.
- For more blueberry flavor, swap the sage syrup for blueberry syrup or use blueberry infused vodka.
- Swap the soda water for tonic water for a slightly more bitter version.
