Hill Street Bluesberry Recipe

Wash the blueberries and mint. Reserve a few whole blueberries for garnish.

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine 1 cup fresh blueberries and 0.75 cups simple syrup. Gently heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries begin to burst and the mixture is slightly thickened, about 4–6 minutes. Do not boil hard.

Remove the saucepan from heat and let the blueberry syrup cool for 5 minutes. Using a fine-mesh sieve, press the mixture through into a bowl to extract juice, discarding solids. You should get about 3/4 to 1 cup of concentrated blueberry syrup.

In a pitcher, muddle the fresh mint leaves with the concentrated blueberry syrup (use the back of a spoon or a muddler) just enough to release aroma — about 8–10 gentle presses. Do not pulverize the mint.

Add 1 cup fresh lemon juice and 1 cup cold water to the pitcher. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding up to an additional 2 tablespoons simple syrup if needed. Add a pinch of salt if desired to brighten flavors.

Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, or cool quickly by stirring with ice in the pitcher and then removing the ice. Keep refrigerated until ready to build cocktails.

Prep glass

If desired, run a lemon wedge around the rim of a highball or coupe and dip lightly into a small plate with the pinch of salt for a faint salty rim.

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add 2 oz Salt Road gin and 4 oz (about 1/2 cup) of the chilled blueberry-mint lemonade.

Shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds to chill and lightly dilute the mixture.

Strain the shaken mixture into the prepared glass over fresh ice (for highball) or straight into a chilled coupe (no ice), leaving room at the top for the champagne float.

Slowly top the cocktail with 2 oz chilled champagne or dry sparkling wine. Pour gently over the back of a bar spoon if you prefer a more pronounced float.

Garnish with a fresh mint sprig and 4–6 reserved fresh blueberries (skewer a few on a pick if desired). Serve immediately.

Optional: For a brighter mint aroma, clap the mint sprig between your hands once and then place it on the drink.