Blueberry Basil Moon Punch

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This drink is a little earthy, a little sweet, and totally hypnotic. If you like drinks that are pretty and refreshing, this one’s for you. The muddled blueberries give it a deep moody purple color, while the basil syrup adds that fresh, almost floral twist. The vodka makes it smooth, and the splash of soda finishes it off with a sparkle.

I’ve made this one a few times for cozy nights with friends and also once for a full moon hangout… it always turns heads and gets people asking what’s in it. You won’t believe how simple it is.

🛒 What You’ll Need

½ cup fresh blueberries
1 oz basil syrup (homemade or store-bought)
2 oz vodka
1 oz fresh lemon juice
Club soda or sparkling water (just a splash)
Ice cubes (clear if you want that perfect look)

a small glass jar filled with fresh blueberries, a small glass jar with pale green basil syrup, a small white plate with fresh lemon halves and one half squeezed, a small glass jar filled with clear vodka, a small white bowl of clear ice cubes, and a small glass jar with fizzy soda water, all arranged neatly

🛠 Tools

Cocktail shaker or mason jar with lid
Muddler or wooden spoon
Measuring jigger or shot glass
Fine mesh strainer (optional)
Highball or lowball glass
Spoon or straw for stirring

💡 Pro Tips

Chill your glass ahead of time so your drink stays icy longer.
Use fresh lemon juice, not bottled—it makes a difference.
If you can, muddle the blueberries gently so the skins don’t go bitter.
Basil syrup is easy to make—just simmer equal parts water, sugar, and fresh basil for 5 minutes and strain.
If your soda water is flat, the punch won’t sparkle—open a fresh one right before using.

🔁 Substitutions and Variations

No basil syrup? Try mint syrup or honey syrup instead.
No vodka? Gin works beautifully with basil and blueberries.
Want it sweeter? Add a splash more syrup or use lemon-lime soda instead of club soda.
Make it zero-proof? Just leave out the vodka and it’s still delicious.

⏳ Make-Ahead Tips

You can muddle the blueberries and mix them with the syrup and lemon juice up to 2 hours ahead.
Store in the fridge, then shake with ice and top with soda when ready to serve.

🔬 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)

Blueberries bring antioxidants and color, but their skins can be tough—muddling releases flavor fast. Lemon juice balances the sweetness of basil syrup with acidity. Vodka is neutral, so it carries flavor without overpowering it. Soda water brings that refreshing fizz and dilutes everything just right.

⚖️ Macros (Per Serving — Makes 1)

Calories: ~170
Carbs: ~17g
Sugar: ~15g
Fat: 0g
Protein: 0g
(Note: will vary depending on syrup and soda used)

😬 Common Mistakes

Over-muddling the blueberries until they’re bitter
Using bottled lemon juice (flat flavor)
Forgetting to strain if you don’t want seeds or pulp
Skipping the soda water—the fizz really makes it pop

🍴 What to Serve With

Goat cheese crostini
Charcuterie board
Roasted almonds
Lemon thyme shortbread cookies

❓ FAQ

Can I batch this for a party?
Yes! Just multiply ingredients by how many servings you want, stir everything (except soda) in a pitcher, chill, and top with soda before serving.

How long does basil syrup last?
About 1 week in the fridge in a sealed jar.

Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes! Just thaw first so they release their juice when muddled.

What if I don’t have a muddler?
Use the back of a spoon or the end of a wooden spoon. Works just fine.

📋 Instructions

Step 1: Muddle the blueberries

Add ½ cup fresh blueberries to a shaker or jar. Gently muddle to release the juice.

a cocktail shaker with fresh blueberries being gently muddled with a wooden spoon, dark purple juice forming at the bottom

Step 2: Add syrup, lemon, and vodka

Pour in 1 oz basil syrup, 1 oz lemon juice, and 2 oz vodka.

muddled blueberries in a shaker with basil syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and clear vodka being added in one by one, all ingredients slightly mixing

Step 3: Shake with ice

Add a handful of clear ice cubes, seal the shaker, and shake hard for 10 seconds.

a cocktail shaker filled with muddled blueberry mixture and clear ice cubes, just before shaking, condensation forming on the outside

Step 4: Strain and pour

Strain into a chilled glass filled with fresh ice.

the deep purple punch being strained from a shaker into a clear glass over fresh clear ice, juice dripping in mid-pour

Step 5: Top with soda

Add a splash of soda water and gently stir. Garnish with a basil leaf or blueberry skewer if you’d like.

a finished blueberry basil moon punch in a clear glass with clear ice cubes, topped with fizzy soda and garnished with fresh basil, with extra blueberries and lemon halves in the background

🧊 Leftovers & Storage

This punch is best fresh. If you need to prep ahead, keep the mixed base (no ice or soda) in the fridge for up to 6 hours. Add ice and soda just before serving.

✨ Final Thoughts

This drink is a stunner. It’s sweet, tart, herbal, and totally different from the usual fruity cocktail. If you make it, leave a comment and tell me how it went—or snap a pic and tag it! I’d love to see your version of this moody purple masterpiece. 💜