Blueberries with Orange Liqueur & Lavender
Submitted by Annu
Preserved blueberries in orange liqueur syrup with fresh lavender flowers, canned in a boiling water bath. Spoon over vanilla ice cream, fold into yogurt, or gift a jar to someone who deserves something truly special.
YIELD
5 half-pintsPREP
20 minCOOK
20 minREADY
40 minThis is preserving at its most elegant.
Plump fresh blueberries get packed into jars with fragrant lavender flower heads, then bathed in a hot syrup of orange liqueur, sugar, and water. Processed in a boiling water bath, they keep beautifully on the shelf and only get more complex in flavor as they sit.
Crack open a jar and the aroma alone will stop you in your tracks. Floral, citrusy, and sweet with that deep berry richness underneath.
Spoon them over vanilla ice cream, layer them into a trifle, or stir them into sparkling water for the fanciest drink your kitchen has ever produced.
Pro Tips
- Use Grand Marnier or Cointreau for the best orange flavor. Triple sec works but gives a lighter, less nuanced result.
- Fresh lavender is essential here. Dried lavender can turn bitter and medicinal when preserved in syrup.
- Pack the berries snugly but don’t crush them. You want whole, plump blueberries in every jar.
- These make stunning homemade gifts. Tie a ribbon around the jar and watch people’s faces light up.
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare jars, lids and boiling water bath.
Combine the liqueur, water and sugar in a pan and cook over med-high heat, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture has coem to boil.
Remove from heat.
Pick over, wash and dry blueberries, then pack them in hot dry jars, placing 4 lavender flower heads in each jar.
Leave ½ inch headspace.
Pour hot liquid into jars, just covering berries.
Wipe rims with clean towel and attach lids securely.
Place jars in boiling water bath, and when water returns to full boil, process for 15 mins.
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