In the realm of mixed drinks, the classic Aviation cocktail stands high. But what if we told you about a cocktail that maintains the spirit of the Aviation, yet ventures out with a distinct spin of its own? Enter "The Kind of Blueberry", a recently revealed creation by renowned mixologist and author, Jim Meehan. The cocktail, notably featuring gin infused with explosive freeze-dried blueberries, is an intriguing and flavorful variant.

Meehan first introduced this flavorful mix in his 2024 book, "The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar", co-authored with Bart Sasso and Emma Janzen. The book is a faithful guide to expanding a home cook's cocktail knowledge and technique. It is here that Meehan demonstrates how to create the perfect berry-infused gin, providing a fruity twist to the cocktail without overwhelming sweetness.

While the Kind of Blueberry draws inspiration from the Aviation, it differs in a few crucial ways. The usual Aviation cocktail consists of gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and the violet petal-flavored crème de violette, which gives it its characteristic purple tint. In Meehan's variation, there is no crème de violette. Instead, the blueberry-infused gin imparts the signature color.

This bold cocktail aims to harmoniously blend the robust flavors of different ingredients. It delicately balances the fruity and herbal notes of the gin and the sour punch from the lemon, along with the subtle almond hints from the maraschino liqueur and the addition of velvety smooth simple syrup.

Preparing this cocktail is mitigated down to simplicity: the ingredients merge together in a cocktail shaker with ice. With a vigorous shake, the elements harmonize and aerate, culminating in a cocktail with a luxuriously smooth consistency. A garnish of three plump, fresh blueberries on a cocktail pick serves as a visual cue to the cocktail's flavor profile while providing a delightful accompanying snack.

To prepare the drink, combine 2 ounces blueberry-infused gin, 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1/2 ounce simple syrup, and 1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur in a Boston cocktail shaker. Add a scoop of ice, cover, and shake until it cools down adequately for about 15 seconds. Double strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass using a Hawthorne strainer and fine wire-mesh strainer, and finally garnish with the 3 blueberries on a cocktail stick.

Making your own blueberry-infused gin is straightforward; mix 2 cups gin with 1/4 cup freeze-dried blueberries in a glass container. Allow this mixture to stand at room temperature for an hour before straining it. Store the infusion in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 months.

The Kind of Blueberry cocktail is an admirable homage to the Aviation, demonstrating how a touch of creativity and some blueberries can freshen up a classic recipe. This information comes courtesy of "The Bartender's Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar" by Jim Meehan and Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen, published by Ten Speed Press.