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.