Italian Berry Mule

As I googled recipes utilizing BERRIES & BALSAMIC vinegar for July's #ImprovCookingChallenge I came across one I couldn't shake. Actually, I could shake...

**WARNING**
There's a little bit of quite a backstory, you can skip down to the  ^*^recipe^*^ if you wish...

This story actually begins in 2006 with the death of our friend who was a fighter pilot. (You can read about his widow's & their 5 kids' story in this incredible book.)
Folds of  Honor is an organization that steps in to help families of our military who have paid the ultimate price for our country. It has been exciting the past few years to watch the breadth of FOH's fundraising grow. At first it was golf tournaments, soon QT was involved and now there are many major donors giving to honor the sacrifices made for our blessed nation.

So when Budweiser advertised their tribute, we had to buy a carton (even though we don't like beer...)

Perhaps you've seen this ad:

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^recipe^*^ *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

First I made a ginger syrup with about 8 oz. ginger I thinly sliced with the mandolin. Boiled it up with 4 cups of water and 2 cups sugar, then simmered for an hour. I strained it into glass bottles & refrigerated.

For the mule (adapted from here) we used the following ingredients:

10 raspberries

1 shot vodka

2 t. fresh lime juice

1/2 t. balsamic vinegar

1 T. ginger syrup

beer to top off

Muddle raspberries in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and remaining ingredients excepting beer and shake well. Strain into an iced highball glass and top it off with the beer.

or

10 blueberries

1 shot vodka

2 T. ginger syrup

1/2 t. balsamic vinegar

beer to top off

Muddle blueberries in cocktail shaker. Add ice and remaining ingredients but the beer and shake well. Strain into an iced highball glass and top it off with beer.

(light up the night!)

If you're looking for more BERRIES & BALSAMIC recipes, please check out the links below:

An InLinkz Link-up