Spiked Blackberry Lemonade

Sweet blackberry syrup and tart lemonade spiked with your favorite vodka for your new go-to summer cocktail.

What’s a party without a signature cocktail? I love having a signature cocktail on the menu when I plan events or for a simple get together at home with friends. It can help guests at an event get cocktails quickly if there is already one on hand. For your  smaller parties, having a batch of a signature cocktail on hand lets you enjoy the party instead of mixing up a bunch of different drinks.

One fun take on the signature cocktail is using a seasonal flavor to make it appropriate for the time of year- think pumpkin in the fall, cranberry in the winter, or berries for summer. My Spiked Blackberry Lemonade keeps this in mind combining summer’s juicy blackberries with a classic summer drink, lemonade. It’s sweet, colorful, and light- what more could you want for a summer signature cocktail? Whether you are planning a baby shower, bachelorette party or a barbeque with friends, grab some blackberries and a glass of Spiked Blackberry Lemonade for a delicious drink!

Do you usually have a signature cocktail when you host a party?

xoxo, Jenna

You’ll Need:

Makes 10 cocktails

• 2 cups fresh blackberries, plus few additional for garnish
• 1 and a 1/2 cups water
• 3/4 of a cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 of a cup honey
• 3/4 of  cup of fresh lemon juice (approximately 4-5 lemons)
• 1 cup of vodka
• 1 cup of blackberry flavored sparkling water
• Ice

To Make:

In a small sauce pan, combine blackberries, sugar and 1 cup of water.

Heat on medium high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar.

Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer once boiling.

Simmer for five minutes, or until blackberries have softened.

Remove from heat and immediately stir in honey.

Using a sieve, pour blackberry mixture through sieve into a mixing bowl.

Press gently with back of a spoon to get all liquid into bowl. Remaining blackberry makes for a great compote/spread.

Allow to cool for ten minutes.

As cooling, squeeze lemon juice into a measuring cup.

Pour lemon juice and half cup of water into blackberry syrup. Stir to combine.

Pour mixture into two-quart pitcher.

Add in vodka and club soda. Stir well to combine.

Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve

To serve, pour over glass filled with ice and garnish with additional fresh blackberries.

Cheers!