Get ready to sip on pure refreshment with this incredible Blackberry Cucumber Gin Spritzer! (Though the cucumber is more of a fun garnish, the real stars here are the blackberries and mint!) This delightful cocktail combines muddled fresh blackberries and mint with gin, a homemade blackberry simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and a splash of lemon-lime soda for a fizzy finish. I absolutely adore this Blackberry Mint Gin Spritzer – the flavors are so bright, fresh, and perfect for welcoming warmer weather, especially on a beautiful spring evening like today, May 6th! It’s surprisingly easy to make and tastes like summer in a glass.
Why You’ll Love This Blackberry Mint Gin Spritzer
- Incredibly Refreshing: The combination of blackberries, mint, lime, and soda is super thirst-quenching.
- Fresh & Fruity Flavors: Highlights the delicious taste of fresh blackberries and aromatic mint.
- Easy Homemade Syrup: The simple blackberry simple syrup adds a lovely depth of flavor and sweetness.
- Perfect Spring/Summer Cocktail: Light, bubbly, and ideal for patio sipping or entertaining.
- Beautiful Presentation: Looks gorgeous with the fresh berry, mint, and cucumber garnishes.
Ingredients for Blackberry Cucumber Gin Spritzers
Here’s what you’ll need to mix up this refreshing gin cocktail. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Blackberry Simple Syrup
- Blackberries (fresh or frozen) (Fruit)
- Sugar (Sweetener)
- Water (Liquid)
Cocktail
- Blackberries (a small handful, plus extra for garnish) (Fruit)
- Mint leaves (a few, plus extra for garnish) (Herb)
- Gin (Liquor)
- Blackberry simple syrup (from above) (Sweetener/Flavoring)
- Freshly squeezed lime juice (Acid)
- Lemon-lime soda (a few splashes) (Soda)
- Crushed ice (Ice)
Garnish (Optional)
- Spiralized or sliced cucumbers
- Lime wedges
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love the classic blackberry-mint pairing, but feel free to customize your Blackberry Mint Gin Spritzer:
- Different Berries: Use raspberries or muddled strawberries instead of blackberries in the drink and/or for the syrup.
- Different Herbs: Try basil instead of mint for an interesting twist.
- Other Spirits: Vodka or white rum would also work well in place of gin.
- Make it Less Sweet: Reduce the amount of simple syrup or use unsweetened sparkling water instead of lemon-lime soda.
- Add Spice: Muddle a thin slice of jalapeño along with the blackberries and mint for a spicy kick.
- No Soda: Omit the lemon-lime soda and add a bit more lime juice and simple syrup for a more classic “smash” style drink, served over ice.
How to Make a Blackberry Mint Gin Spritzer
Making this refreshing Blackberry Mint Gin Spritzer involves a quick homemade syrup and some fun muddling:
Make the Blackberry Simple Syrup
- First, I prepare the easy blackberry simple syrup. In a medium saucepan, I combine 1 cup of blackberries, 1 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of water.
- I bring this mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Once boiling, I let it boil gently for about 2 minutes, perhaps mashing the berries slightly.
- I remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely with the blackberries steeping in it.
- Once cooled, I strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean jar or container, pressing gently on the solids to extract all the syrupy goodness. I discard the solids. (This syrup stores wonderfully in the fridge!)
Muddle and Shake the Cocktail
- When I’m ready to make the drink, I add crushed ice to my serving glass (a highball or collins glass is nice).
- In the bottom of the same serving glass (or a separate sturdy mixing glass if preferred), I add a small handful of fresh blackberries and a few fresh mint leaves.
- Using a muddler, I gently press and twist the blackberries and mint leaves until they have released their juices and fragrant oils. I don’t want to pulverize them, just bruise them nicely.
- To a separate cocktail shaker, I add a handful of regular ice cubes.
- I add the gin, the homemade blackberry simple syrup (1 ½ ounces), and the freshly squeezed lime juice to the shaker.
- I secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds, until the shaker is very cold.
Assemble and Serve
- Pour shaken mixture into prepared glass (over muddled fruit/mint and ice).
- Top with lemon-lime soda.
- Garnish and serve!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Gin Spritzer
Here are my secrets for making the perfect Blackberry Mint Gin Spritzer:
- Use Fresh Blackberries & Mint: These provide the best, most vibrant flavor for both muddling and the syrup.
- Muddle Gently: Release the essence without over-bruising the mint (which can make it bitter) or completely mashing the berries into a pulp if you want some texture.
- Cool Syrup Completely: Ensure the blackberry simple syrup is fully cooled before using it in the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Quality Gin: Use a gin you enjoy, as its botanical notes will complement the fruit and herbs. A London Dry style works well.
- Adjust Sweetness/Tartness: Taste the drink before adding the soda (or after) and adjust the simple syrup or lime juice slightly if needed.
- Don’t Drown in Soda: Add just a few good splashes of lemon-lime soda for fizz and a touch of sweetness – you still want the gin, blackberry, mint, and lime to shine.
How to Serve
This Blackberry Cucumber Gin Spritzer (with cucumber as garnish!) is best served immediately while cold and bubbly! Enjoy it:
- Chilled: In a tall glass filled with crushed ice.
- Garnished Beautifully: With a squeeze of fresh lime, spiralized or thin cucumber ribbons artfully placed in the glass, extra fresh blackberries, and a sprig of fresh mint.
- For Spring/Summer Entertaining: A perfect, refreshing signature cocktail for garden parties, BBQs, or patio sipping.
- As an Aperitif: A light and refreshing start to an evening.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Blackberry Simple Syrup: The star make-ahead component! Store the cooled, strained syrup in an airtight bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Cocktail: This spritzer is best assembled fresh just before serving to maintain its carbonation and the freshness of the muddled ingredients.
FAQs about Blackberry Mint Gin Spritzer
- Can I use frozen blackberries for the syrup or muddling?
- Yes! Frozen blackberries work well for both. Thaw them before muddling for easier juice release. No need to thaw for the syrup.
- What if I don’t have gin?
- Vodka would be a good neutral substitute. White rum could also work for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Can I make this non-alcoholic?
- Absolutely! Omit the gin. Muddle the blackberries and mint, add the blackberry simple syrup and lime juice to a glass with ice, and top generously with lemon-lime soda or plain sparkling water for a delicious Blackberry Mint Fizz Mocktail.
Enjoy this incredibly refreshing, fruity, herbaceous, and easy-to-make Blackberry Cucumber Gin Spritzer! It’s a perfect sip for warmer days.
Print
Blackberry Cucumber Gin Spritzer
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Drinks, Cocktails, Spritzer, Summer Drinks
- Cuisine: American
Description
These blackberry cucumber gin spritzers are such a refreshing drink for summer! A homemade blackberry simple syrup is combined with gin, fresh lime juice, muddled blackberries and mint, then topped with lemon-lime soda and garnished with cucumber. The flavors of mint, lime, and blackberries pair beautifully together.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Blackberry Simple Syrup (Makes Extra):
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For the Spritzer (per serving):
- Small handful of fresh blackberries (about 4-5), plus extra for garnish
- A few fresh mint leaves (about 3-4), plus extra for garnish
- Crushed ice (or regular ice cubes)
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1 1/2 ounces cooled Blackberry Simple Syrup (from recipe above, adjust to taste)
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- A few splashes of lemon-lime soda (like Sprite or 7-Up), chilled
Garnishes:
- Spiralized or thinly sliced cucumber ribbons
- Lime wedges or slices
- Extra fresh blackberries
- Extra fresh mint sprigs
Instructions
1. Make the Blackberry Simple Syrup:
- Combine 1 cup fresh blackberries, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Once boiling, boil for 2 minutes, or until the berries start to soften and release their color. Gently mash some of the berries with a spoon if desired.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool completely with the berries in it (at least 30-60 minutes).
- (Optional: For a smoother syrup, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing gently on the solids. Discard the solids.)
- Store the cooled syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
2. Prepare the Cocktail:
- Muddle: Add a few fresh blackberries (4-5) and a few mint leaves to the bottom of a sturdy serving glass. Gently muddle them together until the berries release their juices and the mint is fragrant. Do not over-muddle.
- Fill Glass with Ice: Fill the glass with crushed ice.
- Shake Base Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the gin, 1 1/2 ounces of the cooled blackberry simple syrup, and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
- Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
- Strain and Top: Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass over the muddled berries and ice.
- Top off the drink with a few good splashes of chilled lemon-lime soda.
- Stir Gently: Stir very gently with a long spoon or stirrer just to combine.
- Garnish: Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lime from a wedge, spiralized cucumber ribbons, extra fresh blackberries, and a sprig of fresh mint.
- Serve: Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Simple Syrup: Ensure the blackberry simple syrup is completely cool before using in the cocktail. Adjust the amount used based on your desired sweetness.
- Muddling: Gently muddle the fresh berries and mint to release their flavors without pulverizing the mint too much (which can make it bitter).
- Gin: Use your favorite brand of gin. A London Dry or a more floral gin would work well.
- Soda: Lemon-lime soda adds sweetness and fizz. Club soda can be used for a less sweet version.
- Multiplying: This recipe is easily multiplied to make a pitcher for a crowd. Muddle a larger quantity of berries/mint in the pitcher, then add the syrup, gin, and lime juice. Add ice and soda just before serving.
- Storage: The cocktail is best enjoyed immediately. Store leftover simple syrup in the refrigerator.