10 Tasty Blackberry Cocktails You Won't Want to Miss

Enjoy the Sweet-Tart Taste of a Blackberry Drink

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 09/20/21
Blackberry Mojito
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Blackberry isn't the most common fruit in the bar, though the drink recipes that feature it are pretty spectacular. Not to be confused with black raspberry, the blackberry is slightly tarter than the sweet raspberry, and it mixes well with everything from vodka and gin to whiskey and wine.

When making blackberry cocktails, you'll use crème de mûre or another blackberry liqueur, blackberry brandy, or fresh blackberries. They're fun to explore and offer a unique taste you'll definitely want to try.

  • 01 of 10

    The Bramble Cocktail

    The Bramble Cocktail

    The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

    A modern classic, the Bramble cocktail is probably the best-known blackberry cocktail. It's a British creation from the 1980s and a tall and refreshing gin sour that pairs lime juice and simple syrup with your favorite gin. The blackberry comes into play via crème de mûre, a sweet-tart (and often overlooked) liqueur in which the berry shines.

  • 02 of 10

    Blackberry Mojito

    Blackberry Mojito
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    Fresh blackberries are a fantastic addition to the classic mojito. This cocktail is a great pick for summer when blackberries are at their best. In the blackberry mojito, you'll simply add a few berries to the lime, mint, and sugar muddle. Top it with rum and club soda, and you have a wonderfully fresh cocktail to enjoy.

    Blackberries Might Stain Wood Muddlers

    When smashed, blackberries produce a dark juice that may stain wooden muddlers. You can minimize the effect by washing your muddler before you make the rest of the drink. Or, use a stainless steel muddler to make fresh blackberry cocktails.

  • 03 of 10

    Blackberry Malt

    Refreshing blackberry lemonade with ice cubes
    AmalliaEka / Getty Images

    The blackberry malt pairs whiskey with fresh blackberries to create a delightful beverage. Irish whiskey is a brilliant backdrop for the combination of blackberry and lime. Sparkling water tops the drink and transforms it into a refreshing whiskey cocktail that's perfect for hot days.

  • 04 of 10

    Blackberry Sidecar

    Blackberry Sidecar Cocktail Recipe from Brockman's Gin
    Brockman's Gin

    The featured ingredient of the blackberry sidecar recipe is a particular brand of gin that pairs exceptionally well with any berry. The cocktail mixes the gin with fresh blackberries, lemon juice, triple sec, and plum bitters. It's a joy to drink and a fun, modern spin on the classic sidecar cocktail.

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  • 05 of 10

    Blood Martini

    Blood Martini

    ​The Spruce / Anfisa Strizh 

    The blood martini is a taste sensation, and you're going to fall in love with its beautiful array of flavors. While it is a fruity vodka martini, it has more dimension than others of this style, pairing citrus vodka with ginger liqueur, grape juice, and blackberry syrup. Though the combination is unusual, it's sure to grab anyone's attention.

  • 06 of 10

    Berry Wine Slushies

    Fruity Berry Wine Slushies

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    Wine slushies are delicious and infinitely customizable. While you can choose a white or rosé wine, red wines are an excellent fit for berries, including blackberries. To make this lightly alcoholic slushie, freeze the wine in an ice cube tray overnight, then blend a few cubes with ice, fresh or frozen berries, and honey for a sweet touch.

  • 07 of 10

    New Old-Fashioned

    New Old-Fashioned Cocktail With Woodford Reserve

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    The new old-fashioned is a modern twist on a classic whiskey cocktail. Rather than an orange slice, it muddles simple syrup and bitters with a peach slice. It's finished off with a little more peach, two blackberries, and your favorite bourbon, then a splash of soda. Delightful in its simplicity, it's a perfect way to enjoy a day in the summer sun.

  • 08 of 10

    Rum Runner

    Rum Runner

    The Spruce

    A favorite among tropical rum drinks, this recipe is a fantastic use for blackberry brandy. You can use a blackberry liqueur, and either will work wonderfully in the rum runner. Combining two styles of rum, you'll also need a banana liqueur, orange and pineapple juices, and grenadine. Shake it up, strain it into a tall glass with fresh ice, and you have a fantastic medley of fruit flavors to enjoy.

    Blackberry Brandy vs. Blackberry Liqueur

    Essentially, brandy is distilled wine. While grapes are the most common, any fruit will do, and blackberry brandy is one of the most popular flavored brandies. In today's market, however, most blackberry brandy is sweetened, so it's very similar to blackberry liqueur, and the two can be used interchangeably in many drink recipes.

    • If you want an unsweetened blackberry brandy, infuse brandy with blackberries yourself: Add a cup or more of fresh blackberries to an infusion jar, top it with a bottle of your favorite brandy, seal, and shake. Let the infusion sit for about one week (shaking daily) before tasting. Once it's to your liking, strain out the berries and bottle your homemade blackberry brandy.
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  • 09 of 10

    Black Martini

    Black Martini Recipe

    The Spruce

    There are several ways to make a black martini. Most use vodka and black raspberry liqueur, but one tasty and simple variation pairs gin with blackberry brandy. It's quick to mix up, not too sweet and has a deep purple color that's as alluring as the taste.

  • 10 of 10

    Jelly Bean Shooter

    Jelly Bean Shot

    The Spruce / S&C Design Studios

    While you have blackberry brandy in the bar, try it in the jelly bean shooter. If you're a fan of black jelly beans, you'll really like it. The shot is built in layers, so you'll top the brandy with sambuca and Southern Comfort, pouring each over the back of a spoon. It's a fun way to show off your bartending skills for a party.