Method

Prepare the Ingredients:

Wash the blackberries and mint leaves thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean towel.

Muddle the Ingredients:

In a mixing glass, add the blackberries and mint leaves. Using a muddler, gently crush them together. This releases the juices from the blackberries and the essential oils from the mint. Tip: Be careful not to over-muddle; you want to extract flavor without turning everything into mush.

Add Sweetness:

Pour in the simple syrup and stir gently to combine with the muddled fruit and mint. From my own personal experience, starting with less syrup is better; you can always add more if needed!

Mix in the Bourbon:

Add the bourbon to the mixing glass. Stir well to combine all the flavors.

Prepare for Serving:

Fill two glasses (preferably silver or glass) with crushed ice. The ice will help keep the drink cold and refreshing.

Strain and Serve:

Using a strainer, pour the mixture over the crushed ice in the prepared glasses.

Garnish:

Top with extra blackberries, mint sprigs, and optional blackberry slices for a beautiful presentation.

Variations

Fruity Twist: Replace blackberries with raspberries, strawberries, or even peaches for a different flavor profile.

Non-Alcoholic Version: Use ginger ale or sparkling water instead of bourbon for a refreshing mocktail.

Herbal Kick: Experiment with basil or thyme instead of mint for a unique herbal flavor.