The Form of Blueberry is a riff on the traditional Aviation cocktail. This model, developed by bartender and creator Jim Meehan, options gin infused with freeze-dried blueberries for a pop of berry taste. 

The recipe for the Form of Blueberry was featured within the 2024 e book, The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Common Bar, by Meehan with Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen. In it, Meehan supplies straightforward, considerate methods residence cooks can enhance their drinks by way of doable strategies. On this cocktail, for instance, Meehan makes use of a gin infused with freeze-dried blueberries for a pop of fruity taste with out extra sweetness. 

Whereas impressed by an Aviation, the Form of Blueberry differs from the unique recipe in a couple of methods. A traditional Aviation is made with gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and crème de violette (a closely perfumed liqueur flavored with violet petals). The crème de violette creates the Aviation’s iconic purple hue. Since Meehan doesn’t name for crème de violette on this recipe, the blueberry-infused gin supplies the drink’s signature shade. 

Why the Form of Blueberry works

This spirit-forward cocktail is all about balancing boldly flavored elements in concord. The gin gives each botanical and fruity-berry notes, the lemon lends tang, the maraschino liqueur (a bittersweet Italian liqueur made out of crushed entire cherries, pits and all) has refined almondy notes, and the easy syrup provides richness. 

The drink’s preparation is easy: the elements mix in a cocktail shaker with ice and because it will get shaken vigorously, the assorted elements mix and aerate to yield a cocktail with a silky texture. A garnish of three contemporary blueberries skewered on a cocktail choose is a visible illustration of what’s contained in the glass, and makes for an excellent snack, too.