From Keyport to Cocktail Royalty: 3BR’s Award-Winning Bottled Cocktail That’s Defining Fall Entertaining
- Matthew Kourie
- Sep 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 25
Discover the ultimate fall ready-to-drink cocktail—3BR Distillery’s award-winning Lemon Beary Pie, the Blueberry Lemon Bar bottled for autumn parties, Friendsgiving feasts, and cozy nights in Keyport, NJ.
As the air turns crisp and Jersey Shore sunsets glow a little earlier, fall cocktail season takes center stage. Across the country, searches for “best fall cocktails”, “Thanksgiving drink recipes”, and “apple-spiced vodka cocktails” surge every September. Yet in Keyport, NJ, one drink has already claimed the crown—a cocktail so beloved it outsells every other on the menu two-to-one.
Meet the Blueberry Lemon Bar, affectionately called the Queen by the team at 3BR Distillery. And thanks to its bottled evolution, you can now bring this award-winning flavor to every cozy autumn gathering.
The Queen’s Origin Story
The Blueberry Lemon Bar began during 3BR’s themed Food As Cocktail series, where multi-course meals inspire liquid creations. Co-founder Robert Mattera envisioned pie in a glass:
Blueberry-infused MENDEL vodka (100% pea-based)
Fresh lemon juice
House-made graham-cracker syrup
A splash of tangy, full-fat kefir for creamy balance
Guests begged for its return. When the drink debuted at the New York Cocktail Expo 2023, it captured People’s Choice: Best Cocktail, confirming what locals already knew—this dessert-inspired sipper was destined for legend.
Bottling the Magic: Lemon Beary Pie
To share the Queen beyond the tasting room, 3BR created Lemon Beary Pie, a ready-to-drink (RTD) bottled cocktail perfect for fall entertaining.
Inside the bottle: blueberry vodka, lemon, graham cracker, and a whisper of vanilla. Add just 1 oz of kefir and you’ve recreated the award-winning Blueberry Lemon Bar at home.
With RTD sales soaring and “best bottled fall cocktails” trending in Google, Lemon Beary Pie checks every box—bar-quality flavor, effortless prep, and seasonal appeal.
Cozy-Weather Recipes with One Bottle
Use Lemon Beary Pie as your autumn bar cart essential:
Blueberry Lemon Bar – 4.25 oz Lemon Beary Pie + 1 oz kefir.Shake with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe, and garnish with a dehydrated lemon.
Lemon Beary Spritz – 4 oz Lemon Beary Pie + club soda or Sprite to top.Pour into a highball glass over ice, top with soda or Sprite, and garnish with a dehydrated lemon.
Ginger Beary Pie – 2 oz Lemon Beary Pie + 1.5 oz 3BR Ginger Bear liqueur + 0.25 oz lemon juice.Shake with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a rocks glass, and garnish with a dehydrated lemon.
Diner Pie Experience – 2 oz Lemon Beary Pie + 1 oz KOFI coffee liqueur + 1 oz cold-brew coffee.Shake with ice for 30 seconds, strain into a chilled coupe, and garnish with an espresso bean.
Each recipe is simple, scalable, and perfect for crisp fall evenings, Friendsgiving gatherings, or any autumn celebration.
Why Autumn Drinkers Love It
Seasonal & Occasion-Based: Perfect for Thanksgiving cocktails, hay-ride nights, and cozy indoor dinners.
Flavor Exploration: Nostalgic dessert notes meet craft innovation—a leading 2025 trend.
Convenience: A bottled format that slips into any bar cart or picnic basket.
Authenticity & Story: Locally made, award-winning, and rooted in Keyport’s craft-spirit culture.
Younger consumers (Gen Z and Millennials) drive the fall RTD boom, while home entertainers in their 30s and 40s hunt for “big-batch fall cocktails” to wow guests without endless shaking. Lemon Beary Pie satisfies both.
From Keyport to the NY Cocktail Expo
3BR’s journey proves how a neighborhood idea can scale. The NY Cocktail Expo was its launchpad—transforming a one-night experiment into an award-winning bottled bestseller.
As Robert Mattera says, “Our most popular cocktail was born from an event where we transformed food into cocktails. The Queen became more than a drink—it became part of our identity.”
For RTD brands eyeing the Expo, this is the blueprint: win on stage, build a following, and own the season.
Final Pour
Whether you’re planning a Friendsgiving punch, a fall wedding bar, or simply craving an award-winning New Jersey cocktail, 3BR’s Lemon Beary Pie offers authenticity, cozy flavor, and convenience in every pour.
👉 Explore all the Lemon Beary Pie recipes and order a bottle directly from 3BR Distillery to bring a piece of Keyport’s cocktail royalty to your autumn table.
More Cocktails? Attend Island Spirit Cocktail Convention on Sunday April 19, 2026 by purchasing tickets here.
Comments