This post is sponsored by Honest Cooking and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Recipe, images, and opinions are all my own.

During the holidays, cocktails around here are a must. They’re the best for making family dinners, an impromptu get together, or even just a long day in or out of the house, even better. Whenever I start decorating, I always mix up a special cocktail because it makes everything more festive. We’re only a week or two away from when the season officially kicks into full gear, so this year I’m mixing up this blueberry lavender cocktail to get me in the holiday spirit.

Traditionally, I normally think of blueberries being a fruit reserved for the summer. I’m always making a pitcher of blueberry lemonade or topping a piece of angel food cake with a handful of blueberries during the summer months. But, during the holidays, blueberries used to only come around for Saturday morning pancakes. That’s definitely something we’re changing around here because of how easy it is to take a dish or cocktail to the next level just by adding blueberries.

Blueberries are available year-round, in the frozen and fresh produce sections. Frozen blueberries are extremely versatile and can be used in so many different ways. Sweet or savory, a cocktail or a syrup, they can do it all. They’re something that I’ll be making sure I always have on hand in my kitchen from now on because a little change, like simply adding a handful of blueberries to holiday dishes, can make a big difference in flavor, making the season just a little merrier.

This cocktail really is all about the blueberries. Frozen blueberries are juicy and sweet and impart the best flavor into this drink. Pairing them with lavender and elderflower liqueur puts this drink over the top, in the best possible way. Not only is the color absolutely perfect for the holiday season (a big thank you to those blueberries for that!), but all of the flavors combined are really special and make them perfect for celebrating.

All you have to do now is go buy a bag of frozen blueberries from the market and get to work making these cocktails and other holiday dishes– click here for my Blueberry Lavender Cocktail recipe.

You can find this recipe (and more ideas!) over on the Blueberry Council Website. And don’t forget to click here to be entered into their giveaway. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this one!