This blackberry old fashioned cocktail combines fresh summer berries with a classic cocktail recipe for a twist on one of your favorite drinks.
Why you’ll love this recipe
In short: it’s easy and it’s different without being weird. You don’t need to make a simple syrup, you don’t need to use any type of blending contraption, and you can make them one at a time.
If you don’t like bourbon, you probably won’t love this recipe. It’s still a strong cocktail. But if you do, give it a try. Let’s get started.
What you’ll Need
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 blackberries (big ones!)
- 2 ounces bourbon (check out this guide if you need help choosing the right bourbon)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 teaspoon water
Garnish
- orange peel
- one whole blackberry
Everything Else
- Did you know there’s a glass called the old fashioned glass? You might also find it called the rocks glass. (Here is the set I used.). You can use whatever you want, of course.
- You’ll want a small mesh strainer so you can strain the blackberries right in.
Let’s make some drinks
Tips for making the syrup
To get a nice blackberry syrup, the easiest way is to mix blackberries and sugar and just give them a little time to sit. After a few minutes of sitting at room temperature, the berries will become juicy and you won’t have to work so hard to get a delicious syrup. And the easy way is the best, isn’t it?
Once the berries are juicy, just place your little mesh strainer over the rocks glass, pour everything in, and press gently until the syrup is in the cup. Don’t press too hard or you’ll get fruit bits in your drink.
The final steps
There’s not much left to do at this point. Just add the remaining ingredients and stir. Garnish however you’d like. A nice orange peel and a whole blackberry is a nice touch. Make sure everything is thoroughly mixed and and cold before you drink.
Looking for more fruit infused cocktail recipes?
- Strawberry Old Fashioned Recipe uses the same technique and is a touch sweeter.
- If you like actual fruit pieces in your drink, you’ll love strawberry mojitos.
- And you can find a list of my favorite country-inspired summer cocktails here.
the recipe
Blackberry Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3 blackberries large
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 teaspoon water
Garnish
- orange peel
- 1 blackberry
Instructions
- Combine the blackberries and sugar in a small bowl and set aside at room temperature for five minutes to become juicy. Press through a mesh strainer directly into a rocks glass. Discard any berry solids.
- Add ice to a rocks glass. Pour in bourbon, bitters, and water. Mix gently. Garnish with orange peel and a whole fresh strawberry. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Enjoy your drink!