Strolling around Balquhidder Mhor Lodge at the moment, Blackites (aka blackberries if you don't hail from Cumbria!) are in abundance, ready to be picked right off the bush. Here's a great idea if you can only manage to pick a few of them....try our recipe for a Blackite Gin Cocktail....
Blackite Gin Cocktail
Aromatic gin works beautifully with the sweet and sour liqueur in the delicious autumnal cocktail.
Ingredients
- 200g caster sugar
- 200ml gin
- 100ml freshley squeezed lemon juice
- 50ml creme de cassis
- a handfull of blackberries
- twist of lemon zest to garnish
Method
- Heat 100g of caster sugar and 100ml of water in a pan (do not boil). When the sugar dissolves, remove from the heat and stir in the rest of the sugar. Strain into a lidded jar (This syrup can keep in the fridge for up to 6 months)
- Put the gin, lemon juice, the blackberries and 50ml of the syrup into a cocktail shaker. Half fill with crushed ice. Shake well.
- Fill 4 tumblers with ice, leaving approx. 3cm at the top and strain the cocktail into the glasses. Drizzle a quarter of the creme de cassis over each tumbler so it trickles through the ice
- Garnish with a blackberry and lemon zest, then serve