Blackberry Old Fashioned

Let's sip on a fresh, seasonal take on everyone's favorite bourbon cocktail with this blackberry old fashioned! I just love how a fresh blackberry simple syrup and citrusy orange bitters give this classic bourbon drink the perfect spring and summer makeover. Best of all, it just takes minutes to mix and requires no advanced bartending skills, so we can be on a patio with a drink in hand in no time.

The Perfect Summertime Bourbon Cocktail

Bourbon may have a reputation as fall and winter's star spirit, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy it just as much in the summer months. With bourbon, you get lots of vanilla and caramel notes, which happen to pair with so many different fruits.

So, really, that means bourbon makes for our perfect fruity summer cocktail. I haven't stopped sipping on this tasty little number since the warmer days arrived, and once you try it, I have no doubt you'll also enjoy it every chance you get this summer.

Oh, and if you're like me and can't get enough bourbon any time of year, you'll also love these summery sippers.

• Cherry bourbon smash
• Kentucky mule
• Blueberry bourbon smash
• Peach-brown sugar mint julep

Ingredients

Bourbon: While you could use another type of whiskey, I recommend bourbon for that sweeter profile. A high-quality, mid-range bourbon is perfect. Think Buffalo Trace, Makers Mark, Four Roses, Elijah Craig, Woodford Reserve and the like.

Blackberry simple syrup: All we need here are water, sugar and blackberries to make a homemade syrup, which I always recommend. You're welcome to visit my full tutorial for making a homemade blackberry syrup, though I'll briefly review the steps below. That said, you can buy blackberry syrup if you prefer, but I love that my version only uses fresh, real ingredients.

As a bonus, this syrup is also delightful in my blackberry mint julep, blackberry bourbon smash and blackberry margarita.

Bitters: I love orange bitters here, but you have options. You can go with classic angostura bitters or you can try different flavors, like ginger bitters for a touch of spice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Blackberry Simple Syrup

Step 1: We first need to prepare the syrup. For this process, we bring water, sugar and blackberries to a boil (photo 1). Every so often, we want to stir the mixture to help dissolve the sugar.

Step 2: Now we turn off the heat, mash the blackberries and allow the mixture to steep (photo 2). A potato masher works well for this step.

Step 3: After steeping, we strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve (photo 3). We let the syrup cool, and then it's ready for cocktail-making.

Blackberry Old Fashioned

Step 1: We add bourbon, bitters and the blackberry syrup to an old fashioned glass.

Step 2: To mix, we add a large ice cube and stir the mixture until chilled (photo 4). About 15-20 seconds does the job.

Step 3: For our final step, we add a few blackberries to our glass. After all, who doesn't love a snack with their drink?

Now take a sip and enjoy that fresh blackberry flavor.

Batch Preparation

While mixing one old fashioned takes hardly any time, you might still want an option for batching. To prepare multiple old fashioned cocktails at a time, you have two options.

• Make-ahead batching: You can simply stir together the ingredients in a small pitcher, cover it and refrigerate until serving time. The batching proportions are slightly different, but you can find them in the notes section of the recipe card.
• Mixing glass: This allows you to make multiple old fashioned cocktails and serve them right away. For this method, you don't have to alter the proportions.

Storing the Syrup

As long as you store the blackberry simple syrup in an airtight, sterile container in the refrigerator, it should last three weeks. If you notice the syrup turns cloudy, it's time for a new batch.

Another option is to freeze the syrup. You can use an ice cube tray with a lid to protect the syrup from freezer burn. Make sure you use it within three months.

Top 3 Tips

Use a single large ice cube: Besides the impressive presentation, one large ice cube melts slowly, so we don't excessively dilute our drink.

Fresh or frozen berries work: Either works well for the syrup. I actually love using frozen berries because they're so much more economical. You can even add them in without thawing for total convenience.

Plan ahead: We want to give the syrup plenty of time to cool and chill before adding it to our glass. Warm syrup is not the summer drinking experience we want, right?

Perfect Pairing

Pork is a favorite with blackberries and bourbon. So what could be better than this jerk pork?

Those warm spices from the jerk marinade offer a nice contrast to the tart berries while complementing the rich bourbon. For another option, you'll also love these smoked pork ribs.

Don't let the summer pass you by without enjoying your share of blackberry old fashioned cocktails. You'll love every fruity sip.

Cheers!

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