Summer Reserve is a barrel-rested premium herbal spirit made from gin-infused wild Maine blueberries and local honey. After we finish making our blueberry-infused Summer Gin, we’re left with several hundred pounds of gin-soaked blueberries that were strained out of the gin. Since we don’t like to waste, we decided to make a liqueur out of these blueberries.

To make Summer Reserve, we press blueberries like grapes and let the resulting liqueur mellow in barrels for months. It’s then proofed down and lightly sweetened with locally sourced honey from Merrimack Valley Apiaries. The result is a complex spirit leading with notes of bittersweet blueberries, spiced oak, honey, and savory herbs.

Summer Reserve makes a great summer sipper, or you can easily mix it up with soda water and a lemon for a flavorful refresher at home. Scroll down for some cocktail recipes.