Blackberry Old Fashioned (a bourbon cocktail) is a classic drink with a sweet twist! With a dark color, this is the perfect spooky Halloween spirit.
As soon as the weather turns cool, whiskey lovers (including myself) get excited for the sweet and spicy flavor of an Old Fashioned. Pair an Old Fashioned with blackberries and you have a festive cocktail for a cooler time of year.
If you are looking for another classic cocktail, try this Classic Espresso Martini Recipe (using Rum) or this Spiked Apple Cider. Both recipes are simple and perfect for Halloween parties.
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Blackberry Old Fashioned Details
Flavor: Sweet! The homemade Peach Simple Syrup balances out the spiciness of the bourbon.
Level of Difficulty: Simple! If you can use a cocktail shaker, you can make this recipe! You do have to make the homemade simple syrup but that is also easy and can be prepared ahead of time.
Time: Less than 5 minutes! Just make sure that you prepare the Peach Simple Syrup ahead of time so that you shake up this perfect cocktail in no time!
Ingredients & Substitutions
No fancy ingredients are required to whip up this Blackberry Old Fashioned!
- Bourbon: This is a classic ingredient in an Old Fashioned! If you don't have bourbon on hand, you can substitute a rye whiskey.
- Peach Simple Syrup: The peach flavor adds a sweetness to the semi tart blackberry flavor.
- Blackberries: I recommend using fresh blackberries.
- Orange Bitters: If you do not have orange bitters on hand, substitute traditional angostura bitters. You could substitute a squeeze of orange juice or a drop of orange liqueur.
How to make a Blackberry Old Fashioned
- Start by making the Peach Simple Syrup. Making homemade simple syrup is as simple as it sounds! Add a chopped peach, white sugar, water and cinnamon sticks to pot over medium high heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove pot from heat. Let syrup cool and thicken for 20-30 minutes.
- Muddle and Strain the Blackberries. Add blackberries to a tall mixing glass. Muddle the blackberries to allow them to release their juice. Place a strainer over top of a clean glass or mixing cup. Using a spoon, press down on blackberries to release all juice into clean glass. If needed, double strain. Discard blackberry pulp.
- Shake up the cocktail! To an iced cocktail shaker, add blackberry juice, bourbon, Peach Simple Syrup and bitters. Shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds until the outside of the shaker is cold and icy.
- Pour cocktail. Pour Blackberry Old Fashioned into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish (optional). Use a fun garnish such as an orange peel, orange slices or peach slices.
Variations
While these variations will not make a traditional Old Fashioned, they still will make a delicious and tasty cocktail!
- Use Brandy. Peach or Apple Brandy would be an excellent substitute for bourbon.
- Use Cinnamon Whiskey to make a cozy cocktail.
- Sweeten with Maple Syrup or Honey Syrup in place of the Peach Simple Syrup.
- Make a large batch of witches brew! To make a spooky drink, leave some small chunks of blackberries in the punch and place plastic spiders on the outside of the punch bowl.
Equipment
Standard mixology equipment is required!
- Cutting Board
- Knife: To slice the peach.
- Pot
- Muddler: If you don't have a muddler, you could use a wooden spoon to mash the berries.
- Strainer
- Cocktail Shaker
- Whiskey Glass
Storage
If preparing this Blackberry Old Fashioned in advance, add all ingredients to the cocktail shaker. Do not add ice! Store refrigerated until ready to serve. Once ready to serve, add ice to the cocktail and shake the cocktail up!
The Peach Simple Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a month. Looking for another recipe to use the Peach Simple Syrup? Try this Iced Pink Latte (with Beetroot Powder). The Peach Simple Syrup gives a sweet kick to an original and earthy breakfast drink!
Top tip
Be sure to remove all of the blackberry pulp! If not, the blackberry pulp and seeds will get stuck in your teeth (which could be perfect for halloween festivities, just kidding!). Start by muddling the blackberries to release all of the juices. Then, place the blackberries into a strainer over top of a glass. Press down on the blackberries to release all fruit juices. If needed, strain again.
FAQ
A traditional Old Fashioned does not have muddled fruit. Lemon slices, orange slices and sugar cubes are used. However, to make this drink blackberry flavor, we muddle the blackberries.
If you don't have a muddler, don't worry! Simply use a spoon to press down on the fruit to release all of the juices.
Bourbon whiskey mixes well with vermouth (to make a Manhattan), ginger beer, fresh lemon juice, ginger ale, mint and hard apple cider to name a few!
Garnishing a Blackberry Old Fashioned is simple! What better way than to place an entire blackberry on a cocktail skewer. You could also add mint or rosemary leaves, a fresh orange slice or a peach slice.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with a cocktail:
📖 Recipe
Blackberry Old Fashioned (easy bourbon cocktail)
Equipment
- Muddler
- Cocktail Shaker
- Whiskey Glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz Bourbon
- 4 Blackberries Muddled and Strained
- 1 oz Peach Simple Syrup
- 2 dashes Orange Bitters
Peach Simple Syrup
- 1 Peach Diced
- 1 cup White Sugar
- 1 cup Water
- 2 Cinnamon Sticks
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until the cocktail shaker becomes cold and icy.
- Pour into a whiskey glass over ice. Garnish with extra cinnamon sticks.
Peach Simple Syrup
- Add all ingredients to a pot over medium heat.
- Stir until sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Let syrup sit and cool for 20 minutes. Syrup will thicken.
- Once syrup has come to room temperature, store refrigerated in an airtight container.
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