Our Blackberry Old Fashioned is an easy-to-follow recipe that combines the richness of bourbon, the sweetness of blackberry simple syrup, and the aromatic touch of orange bitters. This summer bourbon cocktail is as easy to make as it is to savor.
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Looking for more summer cocktail ideas? Try our reader favorite frozen limeade margarita or spicy skinny margarita. And if cocktails with a twist is your thing, you can't go wrong with a lavender martini or cold brew martini.
Combine a bourbon cocktail with blackberries and you have a delicious summer old fashioned. It's easy to become your own mixologist and indulge in the perfect balance of these seasonal flavors.
I love this twist on an old fashioned - for another spin on this classic, whip up my brown sugar old fashioned, cinnamon old fashioned, chocolate old fashioned, caffeinated coffee old fashioned, or nostalgic peanut butter old fashioned for your next happy hour.
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Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Quick & Easy: With only 3 ingredients and less than 5 minutes, you'll be sipping on this blackberry old fashioned cocktail in no time.
- Celebrate the season: In the US, blackberries are in season from late spring to early fall, so you can enjoy this seasonal cocktail most of the year! And, in the winter, you can use frozen blackberries.
- Homemade elegance: Crafting a fruity old fashioned at home allows you to elevate your mixology skills and impress guests with a sophisticated cocktail.
- Adaptable: This blackberry syrup cocktail can be personalized to your taste. Whether you prefer drinks on the sweeter side or enjoy a bolder kick, this drink accommodates, making it suitable for various palates.
Ingredients
- Bourbon: Get the good stuff! With its caramel undertones and oaky richness, Bourbon forms the backbone of this cocktail, providing a warm and robust flavor that defines the old fashioned.
- Angostura bitters are an essential ingredient when making an old fashioned cocktail. We suggest using aromatic bitters or orange bitters.
- Blackberry simple syrup: You can buy a pre-made syrup or, better yet, make your own blackberry cocktail syrup in 10 minutes. If you enjoy a cocktail with blackberries, try our blackberry dark and stormy next time.
Variations
If you don't have simple syrup, add a teaspoon of blackberry jam or muddle fresh blackberries in the glass like a blackberry smash.
Blackberries and basil pair well together, so add this herb as a garnish or muddle it in the drink.
Experiment with different berries or a combination of berries. May we suggest the combination of blackberry and raspberry.
How to Make a Blackberry Old Fashioned
We love to make cocktails with blackberry syrup and this one is a favorite! It's an elegant cocktail that is remarkably simple to make. Discover the art of mixology with this timeless cocktail.
Step 1: Drizzle blackberry syrup into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Step 2: Add 2-3 dashes of bitters.
Step 3: Pour bourbon into the glass and gently stir to combine and chill.
Serve this blackberry bourbon cocktail in a traditional rocks glass.
Expert Tips
- A large ice cube melts slower, preventing dilution and allowing you to savor the flavors longer. We like to use this large ice cube mold to make larger cubes, plus, it adds a nice touch.
- Make it pretty! The classic garnish for this drink is an orange peel and a cherry, but since this is a blackberry old fashioned recipe, we use reusable cocktail skewers to showcase fresh blackberries.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less blackberry simple syrup based on your preference.
Recipe FAQs
Choose a bourbon or rye whiskey that you enjoy sipping on its own, as its flavor will shine through in the cocktail. Popular choices include Maker's Mark or Buffalo Trace.
No, you should not shake an old fashioned. This cocktail should be stirred gently with ice.
A classic old fashioned is made of three ingredients: bourbon, aromatic bitters, and a sugar cube dissolved in water. It is traditionally garnished with a lemon or orange peel.
One of the main differences in these two cocktails is the sweetener used. While an old fashioned is sweetened with sugar or simple syrup, a Manhattan uses sweet vermouth. Second, a Manhattan is more commonly made with rye whiskey while an old fashioned is more commonly made with bourbon.
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Blackberry Old Fashioned Recipe
Save this Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- ½ ounce blackberry simple syrup or 2 teaspoons for less sweetness
- 2-3 dashes orange bitters
- fresh blackberries and orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Pour blackberry syrup over ice in a rocks glass, then add 2-3 dashes of bitters.
- Pour in the bourbon and give it a gentle stir. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you don't have simple syrup, add a teaspoon of blackberry jam or muddle fresh blackberries in the glass.
- Instead of using multiple small ice cubes, use a large ice cube, if you have one. It will melt slower, preventing dilution of the drink.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less blackberry simple syrup based on your preference. If you typically don't like sweet drinks, start with less and build up.
Henry
This is a great twist on my old fashion.
Angela Lietzke
Great, I'm so happy you enjoyed this cocktail - cheers!
Beverly
This is so good!! My husband loves whiskey and this definitely more my speed!