Blackberry Simple Syrup

Flavored simple syrup is incredibly easy to make and a great way to kick your cocktails up a notch. It allows you to add both sweetness (from the sugar) and flavor (in this case, from the blackberries) to your cocktail. This Blackberry Simple Syrup is great with almost any spirit and is also a beautiful deep red color.

Keep in mind that any cocktail recipe that calls for simple syrup can be a good place to use a flavored simple syrup. It will give you a totally different taste experience.

This Blackberry Simple Syrup would be great to use in a Blackberry Old Fashioned or in this Simple White Sangria Recipe.

And if you're looking for a few other cocktail ideas, check out this Blood Orange Old Fashioned, this Watermelon Mint Cocktail, and this Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Blackberry Simple Syrup is easy to make and comes together in about 15 minutes!
• You can use Blackberry Simple Syrup in any cocktail recipe that calls for simple syrup. Try a Blackberry Old Fashioned or use it in this Simple White Sangria with Peaches and Blackberries.
• This recipe doesn't require any canning. That said, the simple syrup needs to be stored in the refrigerator and keeps for up to one month.
• Simple syrup is great to give as a gift or host / hostess gift!

Ingredients

You need just a few things to make your own Blackberry Simple Syrup at home.

• Water: This is the base of your syrup.
• Granulated sugar: This adds the sweetness to the recipe. You can make a 1:1 simple syrup (1 cup water, 1 cup sugar), or you can reduce the sugar and reduce the sweetness with a 2:1 simple syrup (2 cups water, 1 cup sugar).
• Fresh blackberries: These are the star of the show, so be generous when adding them to the recipe! I suggest using fresh berries, but this would also work with frozen berries.

See full recipe below for detailed directions.

Substitutions & Variations

This recipe is for a 1:1 simple syrup (1 part water, 1 part sugar). You can also modify this to create a 2:1 simple syrup (2 parts water, 1 part sugar) for a lower sugar option.

You could also easily adapt this recipe to be made with another berry or soft fruit. Try strawberries, raspberries, rhubarb or any other fruit that sounds like you would want to have that flavor in your cocktail!

How to Make Blackberry Simple Syrup

This Blackberry Simple Syrup comes together in just a few minutes.

Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan or skillet. I find a pan that gives you a larger surface area works best with the berries.

Add the blackberries and stir until the sugar dissolves.

Bring the mixture to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Mash the berries with a wooden spoon while stirring occasionally.

Let the mixture cool, then strain the syrup into a bowl, discarding the seeds and pulp. Transfer the syrup to a jar or airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

Expert Cooking Tips

1. Be generous with the berries! This is the flavor that you really want to capture in this Blackberry Simple Syrup, so err on the side of adding more, rather than fewer blackberries! It will give you more flavor.
2. Mash the berries as they are simmering. The berries will start to break down naturally as they are cooking, but you can also mash them with a wooden spoon as you're stirring to get the most juice out of the berries.
3. Let the syrup cool before straining. There is no need to work with it while it is hot!
4. As you're straining, use a spoon to mash the berries against the mesh of the strainer. This will also help to get out as much juice as possible from the berries.
5. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep for about one month.

How can you use blackberry simple syrup?

Blackberry Simple Syrup is very versatile and can be used in several ways.

• Make cocktails or mocktails: This Blackberry Simple Syrup is great for adding flavor to cocktails or mocktails. Even just a bit of this simple syrup with some sparking water instantly makes an elevated mocktail option!
  • Try this Blackberry Old Fashioned, which combines bourbon, bitters, and Blackberry Simple Syrup for a delicious cocktail.
• Use it for baking: If you're baking a sweet loaf that asks for simple syrup to be poured over top (for moistness and sweetness), you can use this simple syrup there! Keep in mind this syrup is purple, and will add color to your baked goods.
• Sweeten hot or iced tea: This is a great sweetener to add to hot or iced tea, as well as other drinks like lemonade!
• Give as a gift: Blackberry Simple Syrup is a nice gift to give in a small bottle with ribbon.

Equipment

You'll need a small saucepan or skillet (I like to use the Small Fry Pan from Great Jones as it gives a good surface area for crushing the berries). You'll also need a wooden spoon for crushing berries, and a strainer (like these fine mesh strainers).

Keep the simple syrup in a glass jar or airtight container.

Storage

Refrigerator Storage: Once the simple syrup has cooled, store it in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month. This simple syrup has not gone through the canning process, so it is not shelf-stable.

If at any time you notice that the syrup seems cloudy, or suddenly there are "floaters" in it, it's time to discard and start fresh, as those are indications of mold. 

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