A Blackberry-Rosemary Vodka & Soda
End-of-summer blackberries give this cocktail a unique seasonal pizzazz. For this drink, I especially like a flavored vodka with subtle notes of citrus and floral, but you can use plain vodka if it suits you better.
A Vodka and Soda is a bit of an art. Add a simple blackberry syrup, and the parts get skewed. Just remember this; balance and proportions are key. A good ratio is around 1-part vodka to 4-parts soda. If using a simple syrup, 1-part vodka to 1-part simple syrup to 3-parts soda.
Make sure to use plenty of ice in the glass. That will keep your drink colder, crisper, and fizzier longer.
Simple syrups keep in the fridge for about two weeks. I like to store mine in pretty decanters and carafes that go from refrigerator to table. These are especially nice when passing a pitcher of iced tea that gets a simple syrup sweetener, or for serving personalized carafes of wine.
A Vodka & Soda is a deceivingly uncomplicated cocktail to put together. There is, however, a wrong way to mix vodka with seltzer. Your pick of vodka or seltzer will certainly change the outcome of the cocktail. I have highlighted the type of vodka I tasted and felt worked best with my blackberry-rosemary simple syrup.
Impress your guests with this easy Blackberry Rosemary Vodka & Soda recipe. It takes your classic vodka & soda from ordinary to fabulous with the addition of two simple ingredients.
Initially, and thinking I wanted to lean on the savory side, I gravitated toward a peppery vodka. It was not working for me. So, for that creamier, softer cocktail I was going for, I landed on a floral flavored vodka that happens to have grapefruit as one of its many notes. And the marriage began…
I am not a bartender. I am just a gal who likes to make mixed drinks at home.
This blackberry and rosemary simple syrup recipe uses fresh blackberries. It can be used over vanilla ice cream as a unique dessert, in cocktails such as this one, and makes a thirst-quenching beverage when mixed with fresh lemonade. My herb garden did so incredibly well this summer, that I am now trying to come up with more compound butters and simple syrups to use them in. Rosemary is an especially strong herb. It meets its match when up against blackberry though. Their union is ethereal.
All images and text ©Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, LLC
A Blackberry-Rosemary Vodka & Soda
Ingredients
Ingredients for A Blackberry Rosemary Vodka & Soda
- 1 cup fresh, very ripe blackberries frozen may be substituted
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 1/2 ounces floral or citrus-flavored vodka I am using Kettle One Grapefruit & Rose
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 1/2 ounces seltzer
Instructions
The Method
- Muddle blackberries, rosemary, and sugar in a small saucepan until almost smooth. Add water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Set a swath of cheesecloth in a colander over a heatproof bowl. Strain the mixture into the cheesecloth, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.
- Once syrup has cooled, transfer to a small carafe or beaker.
- Combine 1 ounce of the syrup and the 1/2 ounce lime juice in a glass. Next, add the vodka. Add fresh ice cubes and top with seltzer. Garnish with more rosemary and a whole single blackberry, if desired.
