Blackberry Mojitos

For the blackberry simple syrup: Combine the sugar, water and blackberries in a pot, muddle (aka crush) the berries a bit with a muddler or the back of a large spoon. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Allow to cool 30 minutes, muddle the berries a little more, cover, then place the syrup in your fridge for 1-3 hours. Strain the mixture into a bowl, removing and discarding the seeds and berry pieces. Store the syrup in your fridge until ready to use. This should yield you approximately 1 1/4 cups of blackberry simple syrup.

You can store this up to a week in your fridge and use it for vodka drinks (yum), over a pound cake, over ice cream or whatever you dream up. Aaah! Blackberry love!

When it comes time to serve the mojitos, you can choose to make it by the glass or the pitcher.

By the pitcher: In a pitcher, combine your mint leaves, lime juice and simple syrup. Muddle them well (crush them up a bit). Add in your rum, club soda (as much as desired), blackberries and lime slices and stir. Make sure everything is cold, since adding ice dilutes the drink. I usually, have a cocktail shaker on hand to use to chill it by the glass (as it comes from the pitcher). Then just add 2 cubes of ice.

By the glass: Depending on the preference of the recipient, place 5-10 mint leaves in a glass along with 3-4 tablespoons of the blackberry simple syrup and 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Muddle it well. Add in 1/4 – 1/2 cup of rum 1/2 cup club soda. Stir, garnish with 3 blackberries and a lime slice and serve. Add a few pieces of ice or gently shake the rum, simple syrup and club soda in a cocktail shaker to chill it).

Notes: Play around with the portions of what you add to the cocktail until you get the flavor your desire. We are all so different when it comes to how much alcohol we like in our drinks as well as how sweet, etc. There is no right or wrong here, just preference. For parties, I always make extra blackberry simple syrup to have on hand for those that like it sweeter. I make the blackberry syrup because I have never been a fan of the berry pieces floating around in my drinks, clogging up the straw, etc. If you enjoy that then make sure and add some additional berries into your pitcher or glass and include them in your muddling process. To lighten the drink up even more, you may choose to use sparkling water in place of the club soda.

Cheers!