Ain’t got time for a fancy pants shortbread this Chrissy, plain ole’ vanilla will have to do.

And sometimes, (only sometimes mind you) , baking fifty millions batches of shortbread requires a stiff drink.

This recipe makes one crazy strong-arsed martini or two deliciously cooling spritzes. Elderflower and blueberries need to get married and have children. (Please note, no homegrown berries were used in this syrup, only some almost ‘past it’ supermarket punnets I found in my fridge. But the little bowl of blueberries you see, are for sure – homegrown. )

I have been blueberry obsessed as of late. Our two homegrown blueberry bushes are prolific – enticing me into grandiose visions of a future as a Blueberry Farmer. (We may need more than two plants methinks?)

Merry Christmas people.

A few of my previous shortbread recipes are linked at the end.

BLUEBERRY GIN MARTINI

What you need
Gin 45ml
Elderflower liqueur 45 ml
Blueberry simple syrup 45ml (see recipe below)
Lemon juice 30ml

How you do it
Pop all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with a lot of ice.
Shake shake shake. (Your booty.)
Pour into a martini glass and garnish with blueberries OR divide into two glasses and top up with icy cold soda water.

Blueberry Syrup
2 punnets blueberries (440g)
2 cups granular sugar (not caster)
2 cups cold water

Put all ingredients into a saucepan, stir and bring to the boil.
Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the blueberries to start splitting.
Turn off heat, smoosh up what blueberries haven’t split. Let the syrup steep and completely cool down.
Use a fine mesh sieve and strain into sterile bottles. Make sure you get as much blueberry goodness out of the berries as you can.
Refrigerate.
Great in cocktails, mocktails and as a cordial base with soda water or mineral water.

Shortbread recipes can be found here:

https://cheergerm.com/2022/12/19/christmas-shortbread-revisited/

https://cheergerm.com/2021/10/01/rhubarb-crumble-cocktails/

https://cheergerm.com/2018/12/21/gluten-free-macadamia-and-lemon-shortbread/