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As a bonus to this episode, I wanted to include the recipe for my June Berry Drink Syrup that I get from the Serviceberry trees in my Golden Valley yard and Ely. I make the syrup and use it on pancakes or in a June Berry Martini Cocktail or Mocktail.

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June Berry Drink Syrup

Each Spring, I look for Serviceberry trees to make June Berry syrup.  Note: This syrup could be replicated with blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries. Adjust the sugar as needed based on the sweetness of the berries you pick

Ingredients

3 cups fresh June Berries from your local Serviceberry tree.  Washed, rinsed, and stems picked

1 cup water

1/3 cup granulated sugar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

In a medium heavy-duty saucepan, place berries with 1 cup water and 1/3 cup sugar.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the berries are very soft and juicy. About 5 minutes.

Set a fine sieve over a bowl. Pour the berry pulp into the sieve and allow the juice to drip through. Press the pulp with a rubber spatula to extract as much juice as possible.

Add 2 Tbsp lemon juice.

Transfer to a mason jar or cruet.

June Berry Martini Cocktail

Ingredients

1 .5 oz June Berry syrup

1 oz vodka

1 oz orange liqueur like Grand Marnier or Cointreau

Lemon twist peeled and squeezed into the drink to release the lemon oil

Instructions

Fill a shaker with ice.

Add the syrup, vodka, and orange liquor and shake to combine.

Strain into a martini glass

Garnish with a twist of lemon

June Berry Mocktail

Ingredients

1 .5 oz June Berry syrup

3 oz lemonade

1 oz sparkling water

Lemon twist peeled and squeezed into the drink to release the lemon oil

Instructions

Fill a shaker with ice.

Add the syrup and lemonade and shake to combine.

Strain into a rocks glass

Top with soda water

Garnish with a twist of lemon.

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