Summer heat is in full effect here in Phoenix, 119 degrees this weekend. I wish I was kidding, but unfortunately not. This weekend I will be enjoying a nice refreshing Blackberry Gin and Tonic to help keep me cool. A refreshing twist on an iconic cocktail!
I would have to say that Gin and Tonics are my go to summer beverage they are perfect for sipping poolside. I LOVE my wine don’t get me wrong but every now and then you need to break up the monotony. I wanted to give my G&T’s a nice upgrade and bring in some fresh berry flavors with all of the amazing fruit in abundance now.
Now I do have to say that the type of Gin you use is very important. If you are going to skimp on the cost you will also be drinking a not so smooth gin with a heavy juniper flavor. I prefer to use Hendrick’s Gin it has by far the smoothest flavor of any other Gin I have tasted including Bombay Sapphire. This is not a sponsored post by the way, I am just stating my opinion on flavors and everyone has different flavor preferences.
The blend of sweet blackberries with tart lime make these Blackberry Gin and Tonics a nice respite from the original recipe. Super simple to make, you just have to have the patience for the blackberry syrup to freeze.
Making a simple syrup for beverages is just that, simple! If you can boil water you can make a simple syrup. All you need to do is add some blackberries and strain the mixture then freeze into ice cubes for this recipe.
Now here is where you can get creative with your Blackberry syrup ice cubes. I used my Tovolo Sphere ice cube maker to make gorgeous large ice spheres, you can find similar ones here at Amazon . My hubby usually makes plain ice cubes for his bourbon as the sphere shape melts slower that smaller ice cubes. You can use any silicone shaped ice cube tray to make a variety of fun shapes. Maybe stars for 4th of July or plain squares, it’s just fun to add a bit of pizazz to your bevvie!
So make yourself a batch of these tasty Blackberry G&T’s and beat this summer heat!
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup water
- 6 ounces Fresh Blackberries
- Gin
- Tonic
- Lime slices for garnish
Directions:
In a medium size saucepan bring water, sugar and blackberries to a boil. Continue boiling for about 5 minutes until all sugar is dissolved and blackberries are soft and break apart. Let mixture cool.
Using a fine strainer strain sugar mixture so that any blackberry seeds and large pieces are not incorporated into the syrup.
Pour blackberry syrup into ice cube trays and freeze.
In a rocks glass place 2-3 Blackberry ice cubes into glass and combine 1.5 ounces Gin with 5-6 ounces of tonic. Gently stir.
Garnish glass with a Lime slice and enjoy!
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup water
- 6 ounces Fresh Blackberries
- Gin
- Tonic
- Lime slices for garnish
- In a medium size saucepan bring water, sugar and blackberries to a boil. Continue boiling for about 5 minutes until all sugar is dissolved and blackberries are soft and break apart. Let mixture cool.
- Using a fine strainer strain sugar mixture so that any blackberry seeds and large pieces are not incorporated into the syrup.
- Pour blackberry syrup into ice cube trays and freeze.
- In a rocks glass place 2-3 Blackberry ice cubes into glass and combine 1.5 ounces Gin with 5-6 ounces of tonic. Gently stir.
- Garnish glass with a Lime slice and enjoy!
I have yet to try a gin and tonic – mainly because I am not a gin fan. However, I am not a ginger beer fan and fell in love with Moscow mules because of the lime. I’m betting, since I love blackberries, this would become a new fave.
Thanks Alicia! Yes they do have a milder tonic flavor with the addition of the blackberry simple syrup ice cubes. Give them a try, they might just change your mind about Gin and tonics!