Blueberry Apple Cordials

For those times when you buy as many quarts of berries as you can carry, then don't know what to do with them, preserve them into drinkable form. You'll want to let the berries macerate for a month in applejack brandy, but then the cordial will keep for up to half a year.

2 cups fresh blueberries
1 wide strip lemon zest
2 cups applejack brandy (such as Laird's Jersey Lightning)

To Serve:
simple syrup
sparkling wine or club soda

Special Equipment:
one 32 oz jar; 3 layers of cheesecloth

Combine blueberries, lemon zest, and brandy in jar and seal tightly. Let sit in a cool dark place, shaking jar daily, until mixture is a deep purple colour, about 1 month.

Strain mixture through cheesecloth into a pitcher or large bowl (do not press on solids or mixture will become cloudy) and add simple syrup to taste. Chill until cold, about 30 minutes. Serve cordial in small glasses.

To Make a Spritzer:
Place 1 oz cordial in a flute and top off with sparkling wine.

Makes about 2½ cups.

Make Ahead: Strained cordial mixture can be made 6 months ahead. Cover and keep chilled.