The Blackberry Old Fashioned Cocktail is the perfect blend of fresh summer berries and a classic recipe for a unique and flavorful twist on one of your favorite drinks.

This will give your cocktail a deep, rich flavor that perfectly balances the warmth of the bourbon.

close view of old fashioned cocktail with blackberries

Blackberry Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

A summer drink that just takes a few minutes to mix up. You'll love the blackberry syrup for how easy it is to make and how it changes your cocktail into something sweeter.

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Serving Size drink

Equipment

small bowl
mesh strainer
spoon or muddler
rock glass
jigger
stirring spoon

Ingredients

1 teaspoon sugar
3 blackberries (large)
2 ounces bourbon
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 teaspoon water

Garnish

orange peel
1 blackberry

Want To Save This For Later?

I’m email you a link so you can find it when you need it.

You'll join my email list which you will love. And if you don't, unsubscribe in one click. ❤️

Instructions

Macerate the berries. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and 3 blackberries. Let them sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes, allowing the berries to release their juices and become juicy.
Extract the juice. Press the macerated berries directly into a rock glass through a mesh strainer to extract their juices. Use the back of a spoon or a muddler to press out the juice thoroughly. Discard the remaining berry solids, or save them for another use (like a dessert topping).
Assemble the drink. Add ice to the rocks glass over the strained berry juice. Then, pour the bourbon, Angostura bitters, and water into the glass. Stir gently to mix the ingredients together, making sure that the berry juice is evenly distributed throughout the cocktail.
Garnish and serve. Garnish with an orange peel and a fresh blackberry on the rim of the glass. Optionally, let the cocktail sit for a milder drink for a few minutes before serving to allow the ice to melt slightly, diluting the drink and softening the flavors.

Notes

To make your cocktail last longer and taste better, chill your glass in the freezer for 20 minutes before you start.

Use big ice cubes instead of small or crushed ones so your drink doesn’t dilute quickly.

When you mix blackberries and sugar, taste the mixture after you mash them up and add more sugar if the berries are sour or decrease the amount if they’re already sweet.

Let the ice melt a little to make a weaker drink and blend in with the alcohol.

More Tips:

Instead of the usual orange peel and blackberry garnish, you can add a unique flavor to your cocktail by garnishing it with a thin slice of ginger or a sprig of mint.

When making a whiskey cocktail, it’s better to stir it with a spoon instead of shaking it in a shaker to maintain its clarity and taste, as shaking it can dilute it more quickly.

After preparing your cocktail, let it rest for a minute or two before drinking. This short resting period allows the flavors to blend more effectively and enhance the overall taste.

blackberry old fashioned cocktaill in rocks glass

Serving Suggestions

This cocktail pairs well with a charcuterie board with cured meats and artisan cheeses, mini beef sliders with blue cheese, goat cheese stuffed dates, grilled shrimp skewers, or spiced pecans or walnuts.

About the Ingredients

You can try these substitutions for this recipe:

Bourbon: Use rye whiskey instead of bourbon for a spicier flavor or non-alcoholic whiskey for a mocktail version.
Blackberries: Raspberries or blueberries can be used for a different berry flavor.
Angostura Bitters: Orange bitters or fruit-flavored bitters can be an alternative.
Sugar: Honey or maple syrup can be a natural sweetener substitute, but adjust the quantity according to your preference.

wooden board with bottle of bourbon, whole orange, basket of blueberries, sugar

Remember that these substitutions can change the taste of the cocktail, but they allow you to customize it to your liking or based on what ingredients you have on hand.

Storage Instructions

Keep the blackberry syrup in an airtight container or a jar with a tight lid. It can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

overhead view show blackberry and orange peel garnish in old fashioned glass

This recipe is the tasty twist on a classic cocktail that combines the rich, smooth flavors of bourbon with the sweet and tangy taste of blackberries.

And don’t worry, this cocktail is different without being too weird. It’s still got a bit of a kick, so if you’re not a fan of bourbon, this may not be the drink for you. But if you love a good strong cocktail, definitely give the Blackberry Old Fashioned a try.

How to Make the Perfect Blackberry Old Fashioned – Your New Favorite Drink!