Blackberry Bourbon Recipe

Blackberry Bourbon Cocktail

1. 1

   Make the blackberry purée

   Place 6 fresh blackberries in a sturdy mixing glass or cocktail shaker. Add 0.75 oz simple syrup and 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice. Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, firmly muddle the berries until they are thoroughly crushed and release their juices (roughly 20–30 seconds).

2. 2

   Combine with bourbon

   Add 2 oz bourbon to the muddled blackberry mixture. Optional: add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters for depth. Fill the shaker with ice (or add about 1 cup crushed ice) and shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes cold.

3. 3

   Strain and serve

   Double-strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice (use a fine mesh strainer in addition to the shaker strainer to remove seeds and pulp). If you prefer a slightly lighter drink, top with about 1 oz club soda and gently stir once to combine.

4. 4

   Garnish

   Thread one fresh blackberry on a small pick and nestle a mint sprig into the glass. Express a lemon peel over the drink if you like and discard or use as an additional garnish.

5. 5

   Serve immediately while cold. Yields one cocktail. Adjust sweetness by varying the simple syrup from 0.5–1 oz to taste.