Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
This blackberry bourbon lemonade takes the classic taste of lemonade and spikes it with a bite of bourbon and a sweet homemade blackberry-rosemary syrup.
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Table of Contents
- About Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
- What’s in this blackberry bourbon lemonade?
- Which bourbon should you use?
- How long is blackberry bourbon lemonade good for?
- Notes & tips for this bourbon lemonade
- More tasty drink recipes
- Other recipes great for the Kentucky Derby
- How do you make blackberry bourbon lemonade?
- Recipe Details
About Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
On a hot summer day, it’s hard to find something more refreshing than a tall glass of lemonade.
Well, that is, unless you add a dash of bourbon to said lemonade. That would hit the spot, right?
And if you’re going to add bourbon, you might as well go crazy and add a dash of fruit syrup. Like a homemade syrup made with blackberries, perhaps.
That’s where this blackberry bourbon lemonade comes in.
What’s in this blackberry bourbon lemonade?
To make this lemonade, it’s a two-step process: whipping up a homemade blackberry-rosemary syrup, which is then mixed in with the bourbon lemonade.
For the blackberry-rosemary syrup, you’ll need:
- Blackberries
- Fresh rosemary
- Powderd sugar
- Water
Then, for combining everything for the blackberry bourbon lemonade, you’ll need:
- Sparkling lemonade
- Bourbon
- Lemon juice
- Prepared blackberry-rosemary syrup
- Lemon, sliced, for garnish
- Frozen fresh blackberries. This is my favorite part, since the blackberries are used in place of ice; they keep the drink cool without watering it down. Plus, they’re fun to eat!
Which bourbon should you use?
I’m always hesitant to answer these questions because, for one, I know there are plenty of bourbons out there that I haven’t personally tried, so who’s to say if I really know the “best” one? And for two, what is considered good can be so different from person to person, whether it’s about taste or price point or just plain ‘ol loyalty to a brand you trust.
BUT, there are a few bourbons I can point you to so that you have somewhere to start. I know these bourbons both from experience and word-of-mouth, so you can trust that they’ll get the job done for a tasty drink.
How long is blackberry bourbon lemonade good for?
Once prepared, this homemade boozy lemonade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four to five days.
Notes & tips for this bourbon lemonade
- Like the glasses pictured in this post? I found them at a discount store ages ago, but this set of champagne flute glasses with silver designs is similar and includes a few other designs as well.
- If you’re in the mood for spiked lemonade, be sure to check out this Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade as well!
More tasty drink recipes
Other recipes great for the Kentucky Derby
How do you make blackberry bourbon lemonade?
This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.
Step 1 – Add blackberries, water, sugar, and rosemary to a medium saucepan. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the blackberries begin to break down.
Step 2 – Hold a strainer over a bowl and pour the blackberry-rosemary mixture in the strainer. Use a spatula to press the blackberries into the mesh, squeezing out any remaining juice.
Step 3 – Let mixture cool.
Step 4 – Add all of the following ingredients to a large pitcher: sparkling lemonade, bourbon, lemon juice, prepared blackberry-rosemary syrup, and garnish with lemon slices and frozen blackberries.
Step 5 – Serve and enjoy!
Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
Ingredients
Blackberry-Rosemary Syrup
- 2 1/2 cup blackberries
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoon fresh rosemary
Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
- 1 1/2 cup sparkling lemonade, or to taste, chilled
- 1/4 cup blackberry-rosemary syrup, or to taste
- lemon, sliced, for garnish (optional)
- blackberries, frozen, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
For the Blackberry-Rosemary Syrup
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add blackberries, rosemary, sugar, and water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, then let cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes or until blackberries have broken down and the liquid has been reduced by half. Once ready, remove saucepan from heat.
- Hold a strainer over a large bowl and pour the blackberry syrup through the strainer. Use a spatula to press the blackberry mixture into the strainer, breaking down the remaining blackberries and squeezing out any remaining juice.
- Discard any pieces of blackberry or rosemary that remain in the strainer.
- Transfer finished blackberry syrup to a storage container. Syrup can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For the Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade
- In a large pitcher, add sparkling lemonade, bourbon, lemon juice, and blackberry-rosemary syrup. Stir well.
- Serve blackberry bourbon lemonade immediately with frozen blackberries and slices of lemon for garnish (both optional).
Nutrition
I do my best to provide nutrition information, but please keep in mind that I’m not a certified nutritionist. Any nutritional information discussed or disclosed in this post should only be seen as my best amateur estimates of the correct values.
