Some of the ingredients in this post were provided by Melissa’s
Produce but the opinions expressed here are my own.
Melissa’s Produce is always on the
lookout for the newest trends in produce. The new super food on the horizon is
Aronia Berries. They are dried and sweetened with apple juice, not sugar. The
dried berries can be tossed in cereal, granola, trail mix, or eaten just as
they are. These dark berries pack a hefty dose of antioxidants. An article by Medical News Today
lists possible health benefits of aronia berries, also known as chokeberries.
Tasting notes: Aronia
berries are reminiscent of blueberries, but with a slightly different flavor.
When soaked, they give off a beautiful deep purple hue. I can see these used as
Melissa’s describes and/or added to baked goods like muffins and even pancakes.
They could also be used in a savory sense with venison and pork. And going a
bit further, infusing it into cocktails (see below).
The flavor of aronia berries inspired me to make a cocktail –
Aronia Berry Gin & Tonic. This cocktail will require some preparation
before you are ready to serve as the aronia berries will need to steep in gin for
a week and a day to freeze berries inside of ice cubes. The dark purple hue of
the gin will mesmerize you and then the tonic will tantalize you taste buds. As
the ice cubes melt, the plump aronia berries will be released and packed with
jolt of gin.
Aronia Berry Gin & Tonic by OC Food Diva
Serves 1
Aronia Gin:
1 cup gin
¼ cup Melissa’s Dried Sweetened Aronia Berries
Aronia Berry Ice Cubes:
Strained Aronia Berries from gin
Water
Tonic:
4 Aronia Berry ice cubes
2 oz. tonic water
1 oz. aronia gin
1 oz. Melissa’s Lemon Juice
½ oz. Melissa’s Organic Blue Agave Syrup
Mint garnsh
Directions:
1.
To make aronia gin, place aronia berries and gin in a
jar. Let it steep for a week. It should be a dark purple hue when complete.
2.
To make aronia berry ice cubes, strain aronia berries
from gin. Reserve gin in jar for later use. Fill ice tray with water and place
3-4 aronia berries in each cube space. Freeze overnight.
3.
To assemble tonic: Place 3-4 aronia berry ice cubes in
a single rocks glass. Pour 2 oz. of tonic water on top. In a shaker, combine
aronia gin, lemon juice, and agave syrup. Shake for 10 seconds. Pour atop tonic
water. Garnish with mint leaves. Serve immediately.
For more information:
If you enjoyed this post, continue reading these:
- Celebrate Hatch Chile and California Variety Grape Seasons with Melissa’s Produce + Recipe
- Review of Melissa’s 50 Best Plants on the Planet by Cathy Thomas + Recipes
- Hot from the pot: Hatch Chile season is approaching + recipes
- It’s Hatch Chile season with Melissa’s Produce and Gelson’s Market + recipe
- Cookbook Review: Melissa’s Produce’s Hatch Chile Cookbook + recipe
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