Blackberry Mint Cooler

This delicious cocktail is great for anyone looking to kick back and chill. Our recent spurt of warm weather got me dreaming of relaxing in the sun with this refreshing potation. The blackberry mint syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few months.

Ingredients :

(for syrup)

3/4 cup (loosely packed, think about 20 medium sized) mint leaves

12 oz fresh blackberries

1 cup of sugar

1 cup of water

(for cocktail, per serving)

2 oz blackberry mint syrup made from above

2 oz vodka

2 oz sparkling water

1 tsp lemon juice

ice and garnish

Directions :

(for syrup)

Put blackberries and water in a medium saucepan, then sprinkle the sugar evenly on top. Bring pot up to a simmer (just below boiling) uncovered for 15 minutes once at temperature, stirring occasionally and lightly pressing on the blackberries with the spoon to help release a little juice. Remove from heat, add mint leaves and cover for 45 minutes to let it steep. Stir occasionally. Strain the mixture from the saucepan in a container and allow to cool in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using.

(to assemble the cocktail)

Mix 2 oz syrup, 1 tsp lemon juice and 2 oz vodka in a shaker with a few ice cubes. Put a large ice cube in a cocktail glass and strain the shaker over the ice. Top off with 2 oz sparkling water, garnish and serve.