Blackberry Cocktail and Mocktail

For the Marinated Blackberries:

• 2 limes – zested and juiced
• 2 tbsp water
• 50g caster sugar
• 100g ripe blackberries

For each Cocktail:

• 12-16 marinated blackberries
• 2 tbsp marinated blackberry syrup
• 8 mint leaves
• 1 shot of gin
• Ice
• Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic water
• Extra lime slice and sprig of mint to serve

For each Mocktail:

• 12-16 marinated blackberries
• 2 tbsp marinated blackberry syrup
• Ice
• Fever Tree ginger ale
• Extra lime slice and slice of root ginger to serve

Optional - To sugarcoat the rim of the glass:

• Lime juice
• 1-2 tbsp granulated sugar

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Zester/Microplane
• Knife
• Small bowl
• Spoon
• 2 serving cocktail glasses
• Paper straws – optional
• Food processor/liquidiser to crush ice - optional

For the Marinated Blackberries:

• Grate the rind of the limes into a small saucepan. Juice the limes and add this along with the water and sugar. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, boil for 5 seconds, then remove from the heat.
• Place the blackberries in a small bowl, then pour over the hot syrup and allow to cool, tossing occasionally. (Should take 30-60 mins.)

Optional – To sugarcoat the rim of the glass:

• Wipe the edge of the rim of your serving glass with a wedge of lime. Place the granulated sugar on a plate and shake slightly to distribute, then place the rim of the glass in the sugar to form the sugared crust.

To turn into a Cocktail:

• Place a couple of wedges of lime and mint leaves into the base of your glass and ‘muddle’ by gently mashing to release the juice and flavours from the mint.
• Place the ice cubes into the glass. If you’d prefer crushed ice, place the ice cubes into a food processor or liquidizer and pulse until broken down enough.
• Spoon the marinated blackberries into the glass, followed by the blackberry syrup.
• Next pour the shot of gin over the ice, followed by half the tonic water and stir the cocktail to distribute. Finish by pouring over the remaining tonic water and garnish the rim of the glass with a slice of lime and an additional sprig of mint.

To turn into a Mocktail:

• Place a couple of wedges of lime into the base of your glass and ‘muddle’ by gently mashing to release the juice.
• Place the ice cubes into the glass. If you’d prefer crushed ice, place the ice cubes into a food processor or liquidizer and pulse until broken down enough.
• Spoon the marinated blackberries into the glass, followed by the blackberry syrup.
• Next, pour half of the ginger ale into the glass and stir the mocktail to distribute. Finish by pouring over the remaining ginger ale and garnish the rim of the glass with a slice of lime and a sliver of sliced root ginger.