Blackberry Old Fashioned Recipe

Muddle blackberry preserves

Place 0.5 tablespoon blackberry preserves into a mixing glass. Add 0.25 oz simple syrup. Using a muddler or the back of a bar spoon, press and mash the preserves until broken down and slightly liquefied (aim for a jammy but pourable texture).

Add spirits and bitters

Pour 2 oz brandy into the mixing glass over the broken-down preserves. Add 3 dashes of house bitters (or 2 dashes Angostura + 1 dash orange bitters). Stir gently to begin integrating the fruit and spirit.

Orange sour wash

Express the oils of one fresh orange peel over the mixing glass by holding the peel skin-side down above the glass and giving it a firm squeeze to spray the oils into the drink. Rub the peel around the rim, then drop the peel into the mixing glass for extra aroma if desired.

Chill and dilute

Fill the mixing glass with large ice cubes and stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. If you prefer the drink lighter, add 0.5 oz club soda and stir once to combine.

Prepare serving glass

Place one large ice cube (or fresh ice) into an old-fashioned (rocks) glass. Optionally drop in 1–2 fresh blackberries.

Strain and finish

Double-strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into the prepared serving glass to remove seeds and blackberry solids. If you like more texture, use a single fine mesh strain to retain some jammy bits.

Garnish

Take another fresh orange peel, express oils over the drink and rub the rim, then garnish on the rim or float it on top. Add a sprig of thyme or mint if using.

Serve

Serve immediately. Provide a bar spoon for stirring if the guest wants to re-incorporate the settled jammy fruit.