~ Blackberry, Lime and Mint Spritzers~
It’s summertime and the living is easy. And what better way to enjoy the sultry season than with a refreshing, thirst-quenching drink? During this window of time when blackberries are prolific, I like to make a syrup which I add to drinks and use for desserts. Depending on the mood or time of day, I’ll stir a few spoonfuls of the vibrant, tangy syrup into icy glasses of Prosecco or sparkling water. If we’re feeling extra festive, I’ll muddle a jigger-full with mint, lime and rum and call it a mojito. It’s all good. Just be sure to make extra to freeze as ice cubes to pop in drinks or thaw later in the year for a sip of summer.
Blackberry Syrup
Makes about 1 cup
12 ounces blackberries
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until blackberries soften and release their juices, about 10 minutes. Cool. Purée in a food processor, then strain through a fine-meshed sieve. Discard the seeds.
Blackberry Spritzers
Makes 1
Ice cubes
1 part blackberry syrup
2 parts sparkling water, white wine or Proscecco
Lime wedge and mint leaves for garnish
Fill a wine or cocktail glass with ice. Add syrup and sparkling water. Stir. Garnish with lime and mint.
Blackberry Mojito
Makes 1
1/2 lime, cut in 4 wedges
2 sprigs mint, plus extra leaves for garnish
2 tablespoons (1 ounce) blackberry syrup
Crushed ice
1.5 ounces white rum
Sparkling water
1-2 blackberries for garnish
Muddle 2 lime wedges, mint sprigs and syrup together in a sturdy highball glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice. Pour rum over ice. Top with sparkling water to taste. Garnish with whole blackberries, remaining lime wedges and mint.
This is a fantastic idea! I’m bookmarking it.
So awesome! My wife (and I) would really like the spritzers!
Nice – bet we could do this with raspberries or strawberries – hey, peaches…
yes, yes and yes!
I love the idea for freezing some for later in the year. A sip of summer. That’s perfect.
Oh my! Blackberries are my favorite berry, I could eat a huge bowl of them. I can’t wait to try this mixed w some Prosecco! Thanks so much for giving me the idea for a perfect summer drink.
What a perfect summer drink! Simple and delicious. Since it’s Friday and I’m almost off work, I’d say it’s just fine if I go whip one of these up for myself. 🙂
I love this! Not sure I could drink it without prosecco or some kind of sparkling adult beverage. 🙂 And that photo is gorgeous.
These look like an amazing summer beverage. Can’t wait to try them on a hot day!
What a beautiful color and recipe- Perfect for summer!! Love it!
Looks like a great refreshing drink for summer!
I love these blackberry drinks! Refreshing , colorful and tasty. And I can’t believe you go to Owls Head and eat at Primo! Small world indeed!
That photo makes me want to crawl through ,my screen and guzzle one (or both) of those down….YUM, so refreshing. – S
Great photo and great idea to convert the berries in syrup for dessert or drink. Thank you.
hi. i mixed homemade blackberry syrup with vodka and it set to a jelly in the glass. Have you any idea what caused this. I thought I was seeing things!