It will be love at first sip with this blackberry cocktail recipe! A Blackberry Vodka Smash has fresh blackberries muddled with lemon juice and a splash of simple syrup, topped with bubbly soda for the perfect effervescent, refreshing drink!
Ingredients in a Blackberry Vodka Cocktail
One of the reasons I love this cocktail recipe is because how adaptable it is. The original Blackberry Crush cocktail uses the following listed ingredients.
However, make your own version of a Blackberry smash by substituting another type of liquor or fruit.
- Fresh blackberries, or any preferred fruit
- Simple syrup
- Fresh lemon juice
- Raspberry vodka, or substitute regular vodka, citrus, or any berry flavored
- Soda water
How to Muddle without a Muddler?
A muddler is used to mash fresh fruit and herbs in cocktails. It releases their juices into the drink. Muddlers are commonly used for mojitos, but can also add flavor to any cocktail, such as margaritas, gimlets, or moscow mules.
If you don’t oven a muddler, you can still improvise. Use a cocktail shaker and place the fruit, ice, and ingredients inside. Secure the top and shake vigorously to crush up fruits.
A wooden spoon pressing the fruit on the bottom and sides of glass will also work. Alternatively, place the fruit in a small bowl and use the bottom of a glass to press down on the fruit. Transfer muddled fruit to cocktail glass and proceed with recipe.
Can I Use a Liquor Besides Vodka?
Yes! A Blackberry crush cocktail uses raspberry vodka, but it is a very adaptable recipe. Regular, citrus, or other flavored vodkas will also work.
If you are looking for a drink besides a blackberry vodka cocktail, try a Blackberry Smash with gin, whiskey, or bourbon.
Substitutes for Simple Syrup
Blackberry cocktails use a splash of simple syrup to slightly sweeten the drink. You can make simple syrup very quickly at home by placing equal parts water and sugar in a microwave safe measuring cup. Heat until the sugar fully dissolves, stirring occasionally.
There are other substitutes for simple syrup. Agave nectar and maple syrup may also be used. For a sugar free simple syrup use monk fruit or erythritol.
Honey is also a great substitution. It will have to be thinned out with water or it will not uniformly dissolve in the drink. Heat equal parts honey and water, let cool, and then use as you would simple syrup.
Variations for Blackberry Cocktail Recipe
- Muddle fresh mint with the blackberries
- Substitute any fresh fruit for the blackberries or a combination of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries.
- If you don’t have raspberry vodka, use regular, citrus, or another berry flavored vodka.
- Instead of vodka, try gin, bourbon, or whiskey.
- Replace simple syrup and soda with tonic water.
- For a delicious straight up version, try a Blackberry Martini.
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Best Blackberry Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 fresh blackberries
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1 ½ ounce raspberry vodka, see recipe notes for substitutions
- 2 ounces soda water
- additional blackberries, for garnish
Instructions
- Place 4 blackberries, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail glass. Crush lightly with muddler or wooden spoon.
- Fill glass with ice. Pour in vodka and soda water. Give a quick stir and garnish with additional blackberries.
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Equipment Needed
Recipe Notes
Variations for Blackberry Cocktail Recipe
- If you don't have raspberry vodka, use regular, citrus, or another berry flavored vodka.
- Instead of vodka, try gin, bourbon, or whiskey.
- Muddle fresh mint with the blackberries.
- Substitute any fresh fruit for the blackberries or a combination of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries.
- Replace simple syrup and soda with tonic water.
- For a delicious straight up version, try a Blackberry Martini.
Tami says
Delicious 😋
Melissa says
Glad to hear!
Marcy says
Enjoyed this cocktail too many times to count this summer. Loved the fresh blackberries and sometimes added mint. Very good!
Melissa says
Hi Marcy, We do make this drink a lot in my family. This fantastic recipe came from my sister, and we enjoy it a lot together!