Blueberry Hill Thrill

Inspiration 

Hudson-Chatham Winery's Hudson River Valley Red is a wine that's produced from several French-American hybrid grapes grown just south of Albany (in Columbia and Greene Counties). It's a fruity, dry red whose flavor is complemented beautifully by the blueberries. So prolific are blueberries in this area, that the Albany Pine Bush Preserve has two areas that reference the fruit - Blueberry Hill East and Blueberry Hill West. The Hudson Valley is the oldest wine making region of the United States, and one can imagine generations of Capital Area folks making fruit wines and blends like this with whatever they had in season.

Mixology

1 bottle (750 ml) Hudson-Chatham Hudson River Valley Red
6 cups fresh blueberries
1 cup simple syrup
½ cup orange liquor
1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
orange slices to decorate
mint sprigs to decorate (if desired)

Process blueberries in a blender and strain through a sieve to separate the seeds. Add the simple syrup into the blueberry puree and cook the mixture on low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth in texture (about 20 minutes). Allow to cool thoroughly.
When cool, transfer to a large metal bowl. Using a whisk, add the orange liquor, orange juice, and wine. Stir with the whisk until the base is thinner in texture. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. When ready to serve, whisk the blend again. Pour into large wine glasses filled with ice, and top with orange slices cut into half moons. Add a sprig of fresh mint, if desired. Serve with a straw.

Created by: Carlo & Dominique DeVito

Find it

Hudson-Chatham Winery
1900 State Rt. 66
Ghent, NY 12075
Region: South of Albany
Phone: (518) 392-9463

Click here to view their listing