Blueberries on the Rocks!

From juice bars to coffee bars to cocktail bars, the venues where Americans drink have become more diverse…and a lot more inventive. The "bar chef" movement has put the spotlight on the cocktail provider and challenged modern mixologists to get creative.

Customers are more open to novelty, too. Today's young people are fashionistas who seek new experiences and love sharing finds, such as a bar serving custom-made drinks. With or without alcohol, today's most memorable beverages offer excitement, color and adventure.

Blueberries — whether fresh, frozen or pureed — add contemporary energy to the beverage menu. In smoothies, spritzers, mojitos and other mixed drinks, they entice patrons looking for a taste encounter they can tell others about.

"Uncooked fresh and frozen blueberries in blended mixtures will gel within a few minutes of standing," says Chef Scott Samuel. "The natural pectin in the blueberries causes that to occur, but is avoidable by allowing the mixture to stand until it gels, and then re-blend or stir it until the mixture has regained a smooth consistency." He also notes, "Add an acid, such as lemon juice, to blueberries and you get a beautiful pink-to-magenta color that happens naturally. In fact, if you have a blueberry mixture that's gray or lavender, it means the pH of the environment is too basic. Add a bit of acid to brighten it up."

Consider these possibilities...

Blueberry smoothie: Blend blueberries (fresh or frozen) with yogurt, apple or orange juice and vanilla extract.

Blueberry slush: Blend fresh blueberries with frozen lemonade concentrate, diced melon and ice cubes. If it's five o'clock somewhere, add gin.

Blueberry daiquiri: Blend fresh blueberries with lime juice, rum and ice.

Blueberry mojito: Muddle mint leaves, lime juice, sugar and blueberries. Add lemonade, rum, whole blueberries and a splash of soda.

Blueberry ice cubes: Place 3 berries in each compartment of an ice-cube tray. Add water and freeze. Float in lemonade, iced tea or a gin-and-tonic.

Blueberry sangria: Combine equal parts white wine and blueberry juice. Add sliced lemons and oranges, fresh blueberries and orange liqueur, if desired. Chill. Just before serving, stir in lemon-lime soda.

Featured Recipe:
On a warm summer day, a Blueberry and Mint Spritzer is just the ticket to refreshment. Chef Scott Samuel demonstrates the method here.