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Blackberry Julep Cocktail Drink

Blackberry Julep Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Delight in our easy Blackberry Julep recipe! The mix of Bourbon, blackberries, mint, Angostura bitters and sugar syrup creates a refreshing cocktail perfect for autumn.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 185

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Bourbon
  • 6 fresh blackberries
  • 6-8 fresh mint leaves
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Crushed ice
  • Mint Sprig - fresh blackberries and icing sugar (for garnish, optional)

Equipment

  • Julep Cup or Old Fashioned Glass
  • Muddler
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer
  • Straw

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Drop 6 fresh blackberries in a Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
  • Muddle: Add ½ oz simple syrup and gently muddle to release the juice & flavor from the blackberries.
  • Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes Angostura Bitters into the glass as well.
  • Add Mint: Place 6-8 fresh mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other, to release its aromas. Add the mint to the glass.
  • Add Bourbon: Measure and pour 2 oz Bourbon into the glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
  • Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, churn well to combine the ingredients.
  • Add Ice: Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice.
  • Garnish: Garnish with a mint sprig and one or two fresh blackberries (you can use a cocktail skewer to hold them together). Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, you can use rye whiskey or brandy as a substitute. Both will give a different flavor profile but still work well with the blackberries and mint.
  • Simple Syrup: If you're out of simple syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat. Alternatively, honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part hot water) or agave nectar can be used for a different sweetness profile.
  • Blackberries: If fresh blackberries are not in season, you can use frozen blackberries or unsweetened blackberry purée to prepare this drink. Alternatively, raspberries or blueberries can be used if blackberries aren't available. They each bring their unique flavors to the drink.
  • Angostura Bitters: If you don’t have Angostura bitters on hand or if you want to experiment with a different twist, you can use other types of old-fashioned aromatic bitters. For a result that’s close to the original cocktail, try to choose bitters that are heavy on spices (such as clove and cinnamon) and low on sugar. If you can find any, blackberry or blackcurrant bitters can also be a great alternative for this cocktail.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute. Several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own bourbon substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla and cinnamon are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whiskey” can be kept for up to a week.
  • Angostura Bitters: You can add a drop of cinnamon and/or clove essence to your drink or substitute the sugar with cinnamon syrup to mimic the spicy kick of the bitters. Also, note that a few dashes of bitter in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink. The drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol and your degree of tolerance on the topic, you can choose to omit the bitters or to include them in your preparation.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular bourbon & bitters, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
However, keep in mind that, as the Blackberry Julep cocktail is solely made out of alcoholic ingredients, it can be hard to recreate its flavor using only non-alcoholic substitutes; the overall flavor and mouthfeel will probably change greatly from the original drink. In order to make the perfect mocktail version of this drink, you may have to revise the quantity of each ingredient depending on the specific substitute you decide to use.

Making it Vegan:

The Blackberry Julep cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including Bourbon, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.