The Dark Bloom Spicy Blueberry Mule

The Dark Bloom does two jobs in this mule. Three quarters of an ounce deepens the muddled blueberries and brings enough Carolina Reaper warmth to stand up to cold ginger beer without flattening the lime.

The Dark Bloom is the bottle. Ripe blueberry reads first, citrus follows, and the sweetness settles before a gentle pepper warmth meets the ginger at the end.

Muddle the berries with the lime juice before you add ice. You want broken skins and released juice, not a smooth puree that clogs the drink with pulp.

Time 7 min · Serves 1 drink · Mixer The Dark Bloom · How it is used 3/4 oz muddled with the blueberries and lime

How hot is it The finished mule has a gentle warmth behind the ginger, and you can make it milder with 1/2 ounce The Dark Bloom or hotter with 1 ounce.

Ingredients

For the Mule

• 4 fresh blueberries, plus 3 for garnish
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 3/4 oz The Dark Bloom
• 1 1/2 oz vodka or non-alcoholic vodka alternative
• Ice
• 3 oz chilled ginger beer

To Finish

• 1 lime wheel
• 1 thin slice fresh ginger, optional

Method

1. Chill a copper mug with ice while you measure the drink.
2. Add 4 blueberries and the lime juice to the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Muddle for 15 seconds, until every berry has split and released its juice.
3. Add The Dark Bloom and vodka. Fill the shaker halfway with ice, seal it and shake hard for 10 seconds, until the outside feels cold.
4. Discard the ice from the mug and fill it with fresh ice. Fine-strain the blueberry mixture into the mug to catch the larger pieces of skin.
5. Pour in the chilled ginger beer. Stir from the bottom three times, just enough to combine it without knocking out the bubbles.
6. Skewer the remaining 3 blueberries and set them across the mug. Add the lime wheel and fresh ginger, if using, and serve immediately.

One more thing

For a zero-proof mule, use a non-alcoholic vodka alternative or replace the vodka with 1 ounce cold water and another 1/2 ounce ginger beer. The blueberry mixture can be muddled and refrigerated for up to 4 hours, but add ice and ginger beer only when you are ready to serve.

Questions people ask

How do you make a blueberry Moscow mule?
Muddle fresh blueberries with lime juice, then shake them with vodka and The Dark Bloom. Strain over ice, top with ginger beer and stir briefly.

How spicy is this blueberry mule?
It is gently spicy, with Carolina Reaper warmth behind the blueberry and ginger. Use 1/2 ounce The Dark Bloom for a milder drink or 1 ounce for more heat.

Can I make this spicy blueberry mule without alcohol?
Yes. Use a non-alcoholic vodka alternative, or replace the vodka with 1 ounce cold water and an extra 1/2 ounce ginger beer.

Can I make a blueberry mule ahead of time?
You can muddle the blueberries, lime juice and The Dark Bloom up to 4 hours ahead and keep the mixture covered in the refrigerator. Shake with vodka, then add ice and ginger beer just before serving.