What’s wild and wet and can knock your socks off? A Huckleberry Hurricane, of course.
When the group of nutcase bloggers I post recipes with each month decided to skip the baked goods and bring on our best summer drinks, there was no doubt in my mind what I’d make.
I usually make huckleberry margaritas each year during berry picking season, sort of a reward for the hours of backbreaking work that went into foraging for this bounty. But I’ve got to tell you, white rum or vodka are lovely in this drink too! Margaritaa, daiquiria, or even (gasp) a booze-less version…all are wonderful. The important ingredient? Wild mountain huckleberries. You could use blueberries, but huckleberries have a much richer flavor. And I’m NOT talking about those nasty, sour, bright red huckleberries you find in the Pacific Northwest. These are found at high elevations and are dark purple and sweet; as precious as gold.
I love to add a big blob (that’s a technical baking term) of huckleberry jam to the mixture in the blender, but it’s not necessary. Simple syrup sweetens the drink very well, and in a pinch – if you’re desperately eager for that drink and don’t want to make the simple syrup – you can get away with just using a couple of tablespoons of superfine sugar.
Huckleberry Hurricane | Print |
- ½ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 cup huckleberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup crushed ice
- juice from ½ fresh lemon
- 1 tablespoon frozen limeade concentrate
- ½ cup alcohol (tequila, white rum, or vodka)
- In a small sauce pan, combine the sugar and water. Cook and whisk over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Cool completely. (If you are in a hurry, put ice water in a larger pan and set the small one in it to cool quickly.) You won't use all of the simple syrup, but my guess is you'll be making a second batch of drinks! If not, it will store in the refrigerator for several days.
- In a blender, combine ¼ cup of the cooled sugar mixture and the remaining ingredients. Blend until smooth. Taste. Add additional sugar if desired.
- Serve immediately.
Adapt this recipe to your own tastes, and beware of brain freeze!
Here are links to the other fantastic summer drinks – I hope you’ll go check them all out!
Lorinda
Pineapple Kalejitos from Moore or Less Cooking Blog.
Cherry Chocolate Shake from Cooking From a Stay at Home Mom.
Melon Pucker Martini from Tampa Cake Girl.
Mommy’s Cherry Chocolate Milkshakes from Hun, What’s For Dinner?
Spiked Shortcake Italian Soda from Crumbs in my Mustachio.
I feel drunk with joy even before I make the recipe!
Such a fun drink for a barbecue…though if there are too many people you’ll spend all your time blending, and get very little time for drinking!
Looks amazing Lorinda, have to get some Huckleberries when I get to LA! Nettie
You can order them frozen online too, Nettie. Pricey but so worth it!
I would love this drink. I need to go out back and see if we have any huckleberries. If not you’ll need to send me some.
Hah! You’ll have to send ME some. The horrid storm we had wiped out our berry patches. Hail 6″ deep on the mountain. Then too hot to pick (according to The Man) and my ankle won’t let me hike. Le sigh.
Ya know, I’ve never had huckleberries before. Your drink looks amazing!!
They look a lot like blueberries, but have a much more complex flavor. Incredibly delish in baked goods. Oh, and huckleberry JAM! Mmmm. I guess it was kind of mean to post this because so many people don’t have access to them, but most people can get blueberries at least.