Look, guys. It’s Saturday. I don’t want to blow anyone’s cover or make you feel worse if you shivered out the week in an over-air-conditioned cubicle but I have to tell you: I think everyone is on vacation but us. I think they’re on beaches, building sandcastles, accumulating freckles, having lobster rolls for lunch and cherry pie and juicy peaches for dessert. I don’t think they’re thinking about us at all. I’ve already broken my please-don’t-be-so-dull-as-to-discuss-the-weather-Deb rule once this week and I don’t want to do it again, nevertheless, given the state of That Which Shall Not Be Named, I think it’s about time we stopped pretending that we’re actually going to be turning on our stoves until sometime in October.
With all that out of the way, may I offer you a drink? It’s cold; the ice clinks against the side of a very full glass which, you know, is about the finest sound there is. It’s the kind of fizzy that gently mists your face as you lean in for a sip, which would be annoying in, say, November but is exactly what I always hope for in July. It’s magenta and seasonal and it has an old soul, something I kind of dig that in a drink. Shortly after I moved to NYC, I remember going to a bar with a friend of mine from college and she ordered a Sloe Gin Fizz. I looked at her like she had two heads. “Is that an old man drink?” I told her, with (clearly) all of the class I could muster. But she insisted that there was something grand inside that glass, something worth getting to know. I, of course, ignored her, and ordered my usual a gin-and-tonic.
If you’re sitting there thinking, “okay, sounds good but have no idea what you’re talking about because I don’t speak your goofy cocktail-ese,” it’s cool: the drink category that goes by the name fizz are carbonated with water (club soda, seltzer or sparkling water) and something acidic/sour, like lemon or lime, often with a bit of sugar and ice. Sloe gin is a red liqueur flavored with a small fruit that is a plum relative called sloe berries; usually the gin is infused with them. But personally, I have little interest in infused cocktails. I don’t buy lemon-flavored vodka, when I’d rather put a real live actual wedge of lemon in a glass and I always preferred the cherry Cokes you could sometimes beg your parents to order for you in restaurants, with the slip of *totally natural* cherry juice in the bottom over the kind they eventually bottled. Man, I sound old.
This is where the blackberry gin fizz comes in, all of the fizzy gin but the fruit isn’t “infused;” it’s just there. And yeah, it’s a bit fruitier than the classic, and it’s also a lot prettier. It’s surprisingly tart and really refreshing and did I mention it was once a breakfast drink? What, you couldn’t drink gin for breakfast? Could you eat blackberries? What about a blackberry spritzer, with lime juice and a little sparkling water? What if it was the liquid format of this totally-acceptable-for-breakfast cake? Right, then. I think you know what needs to be done.
One year ago: Whole Wheat Raspberry Ricotta Scones
Two years ago: Mango Slaw with Cashews and Mint
Three years ago: Light Brioche Burger Buns and Blueberry Boy Bait
Four years ago: Chopped Vegetable ,Watermelon and Feta Salad
Five years ago: Israeli Salad with Pita Chips
Blackberry Gin Fizz
- 1/4 cup fresh blackberries
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) gin
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from two juicy limes)
- Seltzer
- 2 sprigs sweet basil or 2 thin lime wedges (optional, for garnish)
Neat! This looks like a real treat. Yum!
This sounds amazing! It would be interesting to try it with one of the fancy artisan gins that have been coming out – I just bought one from Islay! Hendricks is always a good option, too…
mmm…. gin…. excuse me.
This is exactly what I’ve been dreaming of after we topped out at 106 degrees today in mid-Missouri!
Hey Sista, cheers from California we’re getting the same high heat and joining in with you on the same wonderful drink!! Cheers to Deb’s brilliant drink concoctions! 😎
First, it is total okay to complain about the weather because the high today was ONE HUNDRED. Sheesh.
Second, I often order gin and tonics, and my friends always tell me that is a grandpa drink.
DOnt actually have anything to say on this post – am not yet old enough to drink it, but have always wanted to be the first commenter! Yippee! Also, do you always reply to emails or not? Thank you
Lara — I try to respond to emails but I’m very behind on it these days. But, if it’s a quick question that only needs a quick answer, I try to respond quickly! Seems silly to let such an email get buried.
Yes to the please. I love everything happening in this drink. And what a color!
Wow, lovely drink. I think I might make a virgin version of it((:
Glad to have you back posting recepies so often!You are so right about the not turning on the stove and also owen till the October. I am dreaming about all the cold foods: cold (berry) soup, gespacho(s) and similar..could live on those…why do you don’t have such an items over here? Or maybe you do, will go to recepie index right now…enjoy the summer((:
Oh my. This a gorgeous drink! Gin and I have never really been friends, but I think that might change soon.
Would love to make this but for the same reason of “That Which Shall Not Be Named” I just don’t want to venture outside.
OMG this looks amazing!! I am in love with anything blackberry, especially with alcohol :)
What a beautiful color! I’ll take two please! :)
I made a version of this recipe as the “signature drink” for a daughter’s engagement party during a hot, hot, McHottie hot August a few years ago. It was a BIG hit. I’ll have to check my recipe with yours. One difference I know for sure – I used vodka, not gin. And it was just as marvelous!
so many of my favorite flavors, it’s going right on the summer cocktail to-do list!
I wonder if this would work with strawberries? Thanks.
Oh Deb, I’m so glad I’m not the only one not on vacation. I don’t think I’ll have one this summer, sadly. A berry gin cocktail is quite the fix to the hazy vacationless days in NYC.
I’ve just gotten back from vacation, but I still could use a drink. So, thanks for this one!
I think I might try this with vodka. I’m sure it will be just as tasty.
That cup of just the blackberry puree looks heavenly! So many good things could be made with that….in addition to the gin fizz drink, of course!
Looks so refreshing on a hot Chicago night! I love blackberries.
I’ve been making a similar drink for the past few weeks, and I can’t get enough of it! You cook the blackberries with some ginger and sugar to make a sweet syrup, and then add lemon (or lime) juice, gin, and a fizzy drink — I’ve been using ginger ale to make it extra gingery!
http://www.shutterbean.com/2010/blackberry-ginger-sours/
on wednesday when the farmers market is open, i will get some blackberries. i am currently drinking a good ol’ fashioned g&t, but last week it was all grapefruit instead of lime. can’t wait to try this variation too.
I see you’re using Tanqueray. Used to be a fan, but have switched allegiances to Bluecoat. Philly made (I figure my carbon footprint is really tiny). Can’t wait to try this!
Looks Really Good!
I think you are right. I went to the grocery store this morning and it was so quiet in there. I think the entire town is on vacation in Tahoe right now :) I’m catching up on some work today but I’d be happy to stop to have one of these and commiserate with you. Yum!
I love that purple!! Any non alcoholic subtitues for Gin? ..
This reminds me so much of your raspberry limeade slushies- from the berry + lime + fizz combo down to the vibrant pink color in the same glasses, all in a more adult version of course. (Though, being 16, I wrinkle my nose at gin!) Anyway, this is definitely the time of year for summery fruity drinks, and, in my house, impromptu lemonade. Thanks Deb!
Stephanie — Ack, same glasses too! Had almost completely forgotten about that drink, which I loved but made in the seconds before we’d gone on vacation so I forgot about it quickly. This would be wonderful without gin, too.
Johanna — I actually have no fondness for Tanqueray. I discovered last week when we had our place painted that we have a ton of booze we never use, including this bottle. I guess we really don’t drink at home much, save a beer or glass of wine here or there, and am now trying to use stuff up! For G&Ts, I’m an oddball and like Beefeaters. For everything else, I like Hendricks and some of the other new ones floating around these days.
Deb, I feel just like you do: everyone else is eating a lobster roll or avocado and grapefruit salad but me. Thanks for your inspiring cocktail suggestion!!
YUMMY!
Have you heard the Loretta Lynn and Jack White song “Portland Oregon”??? Perfect companion to a gin fizz. Here’s the video for your viewing and listening pleasure :-)
http://youtu.be/VuC_l3ymXhM
Good news – It works with raspberries and tequila… if that happens to be your thing.
I LOVE YOU DEB! How did you know that I spent my day running around on kid birthday party errands and everyone is at the beech but me and I have a cup of juicy fresh blackberries, lime and gin? D you know how much less than this it takes to form and declare true love?
Yum!!! There’s something about gin & summertime drinks that I just can’t resist.
Oh man, I wish we had blackberries in season … almost there! Definitely booking this one for when that time comes :)
Does anyone else think gin tastes like chewing on a Christmas tree? No? Just me?… Hmmm…
Otherwise, this drink looks absolutely fabulous! Maybe vodka instead of gin?
Erica — My husband! Haaates gin. We made his with vodka.
Well, I read this recipe approximately 30 minutes ago… a quick trip to the liquor store… and now I’m enjoying my first blackberry gin fizz! What a fantastic way to beat That Which Shall Not Be Named :)
Would it be bad to have this for a morning juice drink out on the patio watching the sun come up? To mourn my last day of vacation? Loved sloe gin fizzes, sipping my drink watching the closing acts – on the stage and on the dance floor.
God, I love gin. Me and the Queen. My go-to is the plain Bombay with the white label, because it’s like $14 and perfect with 365 tonic (no corn syrup!) and a wedge of lime on a HELLA hot day like the ones we’ve been having. But I wouldn’t kick this cocktail off my porch. Mm, blackberries.
Oh, Deb, you always make my day! This looks excellent. And i’ve been wanting to do something with blackberries, but i just can’t stand the seeds – this’ll be perfect!
Yum, nuff said. This is not the first time i’ve seen a drink like this but they never get old and tired like daqueri’s.
Yum this looks good! I will be on the lookout for something like this on local menus…
I feel like it can be so hard to find a good gin drink that isn’t a G&T…until now. If I didn’t have to work tomorrow I would be drinking this while floating in the pool. I’ve been living off Vermontucky Lemonades for awhile now. I think its appropriate to switch.
I saw the most gigantic blackberries of my life at the farmers’ market in DC today! Absolutely gorgeous :)
It is definitely too hot to turn on ovens until Thanksgiving (and even then, I sometimes still have the A/C on)! I also hate gin, it tastes like soap. But, vodka? I could do that :)
I am feeling Jacob-deficient! I need some mop and cute cheeks to get me through my week! :)
That´s nice the way you write, very funny and speedy. The drinks, I don’t know, I will try, but I hope they are so good as your writing
This looks absolutely gorgeous. Cannot remember how I came across your blog but it had me captivated. Beautifully written and I hope you take it as a compliment when I say I would love to use yours a a goal for how mine should be. So much rain here so look as if we will have a bumper blackberry crop …… definitely going to give your drink a go then.
Sloe gin is delicious! In summer (which is five long months away, sob), I drink it with ice, a lime wedge and a splash of soda water. Give it a chance!
Your recipe looks wonderful, though.
Deb, I’m with your husband (and I agree with Jennifer on the taste of gin). It’s awful. Fortunately, you tried it with vodka and it works because this sounds like a great drink. I’m off to pick some berries.
Love how refreshing it looks!
We don’t have anything sold as club soda here. Is that regular mineral water or…?
Welp this post GOT ME with the color of the drink alone. I looked on your site yesterday and baked up those blueberry bars from 2008. I took them to my parents house as my Mom isn’t very well. I helped to brighten their day. So thanks. They were so yummmmmmy!
The picture of the lime juice brings me back…. oh to last night! I make my own simple fresh margarita with 1800 tequila, salt, lime, and cointreau…… it is divine. In fact it is perfect, but now you have me thinking about the cointreau, which is an orange infused liqueur……. hmmmm fresh orange juice? Any ideas?? might have to try that, oh I don’t know, maybe… TONIGHT! Summer is wonderful.
I will say, I love sloe gin fizzes and this drink looks so good. Such a gorgeous color. Thanks for another great post
These are goregous. I would almost feel guilty doin what I normally do with a good drink and slurp it down in less than a minute. I love a good fruity boozey beverage. I might be trying this for brunch after church today!
I bartender once tried to tell me that a “gin fizz” was not a real drink. If anyone does that to me again, this time I can say, “haven’t you seen the blackberry gin fizz recipe on Smitten Kitchen? Of course it’s a real thing!”
Ah, blackberries — on the list of good things about summer. Gorgeous color. Straight fizzy water for me though — I abhor gin. I can’t even describe the taste of gin except as medicinal. Or I might make a Kir variation and mix the blackberry puree with white wine.
This sounds delicious and I’m not usually one to put effort into cocktails. (It’s more like, what tastes good just mixed together.) I loooooove blackberries.
As for the comment a couple above mine–I hate when people judge your food/drinks. I mean, there’s a lot of stuff I don’t like or think is boring, but I’m not going to outright tell anyone not my child that they should expand their horizons.
And Deb, you managed to complain about the weather with self-awareness, so you get a pass. ;) A good friend of mine moans ALL SUMMER about the heat and she’s lived in NYC about 12 years. I despise the dead of winter, but for pete’s sake, I moved to a place where Canada is just a few hours away by car!
Didn’t even make it through the post in my inbox before my carpal-tunnel-y arthritic-finger-y self was completely captivated by that dual spouted measuring cup. Please tell me where you got it!
My husband and I have been eyeing this drink in Bon Appetit. Looks fantastic. Sadly, gin has never been kind to me. But, I might give it another chance to try this :)
Gah, that looks so good. I agree with you about the “I don’t want to be dull and talk about the weather” rule. But when I can’t even sit down in my car because it’s 111 degrees out, I really can’t think of many other relevant topics. ha.
This drink is to die for…I can’t really handle gin that well (still wonder why) but I’ll definitely giving this a shot!
I’m about to have friends over for brunch, so obviously all I saw as “breakfast drink.” Thanks for sharing!
I just saw a recipe for this in one of those fancy-dancy cooking mags, and now that I’ve seen your recipe, it’s a sign that I must make these for Sunday lunch today!!
Will be making this…tonight! I have been into freshly muddled cocktails this season so this is right up my alley. There is an unopened bottle of Hendricks on the liquor shelf that is just DYING to be cracked for the right occasion. This may just be it.
One more thing…I have some frozen blackberries (we can’t seem to keep up with our CSA this year). Do you think they would work here? If so, could I use as is, or should I wait until they defrost?
Cocktails that are made with fresh fruit are so appealing to me. I love the blackberry and how fizzy and refreshing this looks. It’s been super hot this weekend so I could see myself loading up a to-go batch of these and taking it to the lake!
One more thing. We can’t seem to keep up with the CSA this year so I’ve got some frozen blackberries. Would they work here? If so, would you recommend using frozen or defrosting them first?
Hi Colleen — Frozen would work, but I’d defrost them first, or they’ll be harder to puree thinly and strain the seeds from.
Aviva — Probably but I think cooking sour cherries is a better method to get all of their juices out.
Iki — It’s from Anchor Hocking. Here‘s the 2-cup version; I have the 2-cup and the 1-cup too (pictured). I won’t lie: I bought them because they were pretty. I cave sometimes too. (I also used Google’s shopping engine and searched around until I found the cheapest place that sold them with free shipping. Oh yes, I did.)
Kailee — I use these ice cube trays.
This makes me want to go buy a blender, strainer, and highball glasses right now. I just moved and had to start my kitchen from scratch. Obviously, it’s slow going. Ha! I love gin and usually am the one ordering the grandpa G&T at bars I can’t get wine at. Though, I tried the most amazing cucumber basil gimlet made with Hendrick’s gin. I fell in love. The PERFECT hot day drink.
Ah! This looks amazing. I hardly ever sit down at home and knock up a cocktail. What a a fantastic idea. A must do.
Sounds fab, even though there is no heat here and stoves will be on to keep us warm in London. You have inspired me to find a use for my sloe gin which has been untouched since Christmas…thanks!
Ah, just the excuse I needed for both the blackberries AND the gin.
I love you, Deb.
(No, I’m not schnockered yet.)
Ooh, another absolute winner! What a great seasonal update to a classic cocktail, and a virgin version for the kids is a great idea, too… As ever, you rock!
Perfect time for this drink. Berries look good at the market, basil is lush in the yard, and a new gin in the cabinet. I though fizzes had egg white in them. This sounds safer.
Sounds refreshing…except I am not a fan of gin…maybe it would be okay with vodka!
This looks gorgeous! Question: Do you think you could substitute Stevia for the sugar? If so, how much Stevia would you use?
Delicious! I am infusing some gin with Earl Grey tea and looking for cocktail recipes to try out with it. I think the blackberries and Earl Grey would be a great pairing.
I love Gin and Tonics! Especially in jazz clubs, then I feel especially glamourous and retro. Question: Can this be done with sour cherries? I have a pint from the market that are just about to be too soft to eat.
The other day we were at Slice in the Village, and they had homemade orange creme soda. It turned out to be Fanta over ice with a heavy helping of cream poured over the top. So simple, yet amazingly delicious. We had to order a second.
And thank you for justifying the not wanting to turn on the oven.
Looks yummy, Deb! But I have to stand up for my good friend, infused liquor. People, it’s just the thing to do with your fruit when it’s too hot to make jam or bake a cake. Why, just a week ago I took the stuff left in the strainer after pureeing a cup of blackberries, and threw it in a jar with some vodka. And today I have purple hooch! ***Special bonus suggestion for when you do get a vacation: if you can stand to pick beach plums, they’re closely related to sloes (see last Wednesday’s NYTimes) and you can make some sloe-ish gin!
Every time I drink gin, my nose gets all plugged up. Must be a mild allergy. I will however, give this a try with vodka.
I love your cocktail recipes. This sounds delicious, and I’ve had g and t’s on my mind lately. Mmmm!
Very nice! They looks super refreshing.
Oh, I have lipstick that color! I’ll have to be sure to wear it when I make this. And as for infused liquor, I recently infused Maker’s Mark with chipotle and bacon, and tequila with grilled chilies and pineapple. Not as stunning as these, color wise, but amazing flavors nonetheless. Cheers and chin chin!
I wanted to adapt this same recipe when I saw. Yum and uber-refreshing! Thumbs up on it being an “old soul” drink too (my mom always says I have an “old soul”…guess this one’s for me).
Made a huge batch of Limoncello last year – it has been residing in the freezer. Think I will use that instead of gin – and some fresh lemon instead of lime…. and put it in the seltzer thingamajiggy to give it some bubbles… mmmmm
Oh, perfect! Gin is my weakness. What sort of ice cube trays do you use? Those look like the perfect cocktail ice cubes!
Funny I just saved this recipe to my “food” file; so maybe I’ll have this for breakfast!Not a fan of gin however I’m sure vodka will work.
I don’t have blackberries but I do have blueberries, hmmmm…………..and since I live in Hawaii, it’s mango season. Off to experiment now!
Looks delicious! I have to try it asap!
These do sound amazing–I think I may have to try them with some of our backyard plums. Fresh fruit is so good in drinks–but I still can’t say I’m giving up my fruit-infused liquors!
Deb,
I’ve been making ice cubes the old fashioned way in trays with a slice of lime inside each cube. Very refreshing.
When does your book tour start? We’ll welcome you with open arms in Richmond, VA. Just don’t come anytime soon. The heat index today is 111 degrees. A perfect day for your gin fizz.
Oh yum, just made these virgin (diet 7 up instead of gin, sorry!) and had one problem…..my blackberries did not really liquefy in blender, even on purée setting for long time. In mesh strainer, not much juice came out so I used rhe (untrained) purée, seeds and all. What did I do wrong? Even though the seeds stuck in my teeth and no gin, it was delicious!
Hi, Deb:
I feel completely stupid asking this question, but here goes:
your recipe calls for a 1/4 cup blackberries, but the picture shows a full cup.
Is it just because a brimming cupful of berries is four time more beautiful than a quarter cup?
Thanks,
Sal
Blackberries, gin, seltzer, lime… DELISH, and the perfect summer drink! i can’t wait to try this out!
Enjoying mine right now. Thanks for the recipe – it’s great for summer!
Since making a cranberry gin fizz for the holidays; I find more than one reason to continue that trend through the seasons. Blackberry is perfect. Pretty and fruity and fizzy…yep, I like’em like that!
I am so with you on the vodka stuff too. I’ll infuse my own thanks…I’m not buying lemon or orange and Heaven forbid, shoot me now if I start to go toward something called cake or whipped cream vodka!
Hmm. I love a sloe gin fizz, but I’ve always made it by topping up the gin with prosecco. Maybe that’s why I love them so much!
I had to use raspberries – couldn’t find blackberries – and it was tasty. However, I’m puzzled by the quarter cup of berries indicated – that wasn’t many raspberries and would be even fewer blackberries. I doubled the berries and it still wouldn’t blend easily because of the tiny amount of fruit. Your pureed fruit picture appears to have half a cup or more but I got a good bit less. Am I missing something?
Midgetsal – My guess is that Deb made the drink for a number of guests, but provided us with a more neater, cleaner recipe for 2!
Made this tonight with raspberries since store was out of blackberries. A quarter cup raspberries isn’t many and blackberries would be even fewer. Yet your photo of pureed fruit appears to be half a cup or more; mine amounted to a good bit less. Am I missing something?
One commenter further up asked if she was the only one who thinks that gin tastes like chewing on a Christmas tree, and to her I say no, that’s just what it tastes like, and also the reason I adore gin with all my heart. And Deb I also love Beefeaters so much! Seeing this post made me forget for two seconds that I am a million months pregnant, and now I know exactly what I’ll be drinking five weeks from now.
Also, that is seriously the most beautifully colored drink I’ve ever seen. I want to paint my walls with it .
Just made these to accompany a “southern” dinner of red beans and rice and mustard greens from the garden. A perfect compliment to our supper. Brings me back to long days and nights on Long Island, drinking Sloe Gin Fizzes at a club with a girlfriend…both of us underage! Great memory. Great drink!
sorry for the double post at 99 & 101 – my comment didn’t appear after I pressed post the first time. Internet weirdness I guess.
I’m having the same issue as Gayle S. How does a quarter cup of blackberries plus two tbls of sugar come to 200 mls of puree?
Woops…re: post#93……that was supposed to read UNSTRAINED (not UNTRAINED). Don’t you just love auto-correct?!
Back in the olden days, my drink of choice was a gin and tonic..with a twist. To this day..I prefer that little twisted strip of lemon zest (or lime zest in some things) to a wedge or slice of either citrus. I always add it to grape beverages, too. I have several jars of seedless, black raspberry jam, I wonder if a couple spoonfuls of that could be used to make this drink, without the sugar…not that blackberries are hard to come by..
Been a gin drinker for many years – saw this recipe today and made them tonight. So refreshing. Subbed agave nectar cuz we ran out of sugar – still marvelous!
Please don’t stop putting up pictures of Jacob! I always look forward to seeing them so much!
This looks like the most delicious drink though, thank you!
Wow! I cannot wait till the fall to go blackberry picking and come back to drink this!
Oh my gosh. Yes, please. I’ll have one. I don’t care what time of day it is – as long as it’s the weekend!
I’m due to have a baby in six days (theoretically). There are blackberries in my garden right now. Assuming this child comes before the blackberries end for the season–and assuming I can manage something complicated like pureeing and sieving fruit while juggling a newborn and a toddler–I am definitely going to make a weak version of this (nursing, you know).
I really, really want one of these.
Deb,
It’s nice to find a fellow female gin drinker. Have you ever made true sloe gin? I finagled sloe berries from England a few years ago and went to town with it, and I’m planning it again this year. (I feel like someone rather questionable, having a sloe berry ‘contact’.) Having it done fresh tastes a lot different than what’s offered on the market in this country. Give it a try sometime.
Welcome back Jacob. We missed you.
Loved the drink. Love love Gin, and although in the South of Chile it is freezing this time of year, we managed to enjoy it with frozen blackberries in front of a real chimney. Mmmm. Gracias.
Marilyn (Nº 79): if you are already indulging with Gin do it for real, forget the stevia and enjoy!!!!!!!!.
The color on this is just fantastic! I feel like serving one of these at a party could totally brighten up the room!
This is certainly a killer fizz. Sigh. I could live off of this in this heat.
Deb – quick question! What brand of club soda/tonic do you use? I’ve been experimenting, and am looking for suggestions :)
So.. It’s 11 AM on a Monday and I’m already trying to figure out how I could make it appropriate to drink this with lunch.. I’ve been looking for some new recipes to jazz up gin, and I think I have a winner!
This may be the cocktail of my dreams! No, really.
This looks delish, might have to try it with vodka though as I hate hate hate gin!
i found this recipe in bon appetit, and made it twice this weekend. unfortunately, the second time, i went too far drinking my normal gin & sodas after consuming two of these nice guys, and i’ve gotta say, blackberry gin fizz is not as pretty on the way back up.
“What if it was the liquid format of this totally-acceptable-for-breakfast cake?”
Damnit, you got me. I love that cake oh-so-much. Including for breakfast :)
Deb – how do you avoid the smelly ice cube problem with those tovolo trays? I ordered some and absolutely loved them for about a month, after which I noticed that all of my ice cubes began to taste like freezer. I’ve tried everything – vinegar, baking soda, vinegar AND baking soda, bleach, club soda – and I cannot get the smell out. It’s put me off silicone kitchenware entirely. Do you have some sort of secret way to get the smell out?
Blackberry puree — I scaled the recipe down when I shared it with you, which I hope isn’t causing trouble. I pureed one cup of blackberries and 1/2 cup sugar (as per the original recipe) and it yielded 2/3 to 3/4 cup strained puree (as you can see in the measuring cup image; I got a bit lazy getting the last tablespoon strained). The original recipe was for 8 drinks and I reduced the recipe by 75% to get two drinks, hence you should have about 2 2/3 to 3 tablespoons puree (from 1/4 cup berries + 2 tablespoons sugar), or 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 tablespoons puree per glass. I measured the same into my two glasses and found it to be very strong with blackberry flavor (to the point that I worried people would complain the berry flavor was too strong) but my glasses were also a little shorter than your average Collins glass. Hope that helps clarify. Now my question for those of you who felt you didn’t have enough: Did you get different amounts? Did you just want more berries? I’d be happy to retest this — tough day at the office, clearly — and update the recipe if needed.
Jeff — Where is 200 mls puree listed?
Simple syrup — 1 cup of sugar + 1 cup water usually yields 1 1/4 to 1 1/3 cups of simple syrup.
Nicole — Same problem here! I think it’s got more to do with the freezer itself than the trays, though they are porous and therefore absorb scents better. So, de-stinking the freezer (something I haven’t bothered doing but have Googled and found a lot of tips) is probably the way to go. I actually immensely dislike all silicone cookware and these ice cube trays, because I was so impressed with the shape, are the only things I’ve bought. They’re not to blame for stinky freezers but they’re hardly putting forth a good argument for the wonders of silicone.
BHW — Thank you. I’d love to come to Richmond but will not be sad if it’s cooler than that. They’re working on the schedule now. I’ll probably make an announcement of the dates and locations after Labor Day. The book is out October 30th and the tour will likely begin a day or two later. No rest for the weary! :)
Janelle — At home, we usually buy any brand; we’re not picky. But when out, we are occasionally suckers for club soda that comes in little overpriced glass bottles because it tastes so. much. better. it’s not even fair. Boylan’s is really good, but this time I used a new brand I’d found at Whole Foods.
I’m totally in love with gin fizzes! Must give this a try!
I didn’t think I was a gin fan, but a friend dragged me to a gin event for San Francisco Cocktail Week last year, but they featured some really mellow gins and now I really like them. So, throwing this out there for the gin-haters. Try Hendricks. Or 209, if you can find it (this one is my favorite and is distilled in San Francisco). They’ve got a different balance of botanicals, so they are less pine-tree flavored. Hendricks has a bit of a cucumber flavor. 209 is a little more spice-y (coriander and cardimom plus bergamot). It’s surprising how much flavor variability there is for this alcohol.
I love a good gin fizz and even though it is 1:15 and I have neither blackberries or limes, I want to go make one right now!
This looks wonderful!
Great colours!I like gin, it’s my drink! Looks so delicious :)
xxxFiC.
http://www.fashionicoo
Gorgeous! Got anything for us dry drinkers?
We’ve been doing a variation on this for a couple of weeks with all of the CSA blackberries that no one in our house seems to eat. Too bad I don’t have a veranda to lounge on in this heat…
I would agree with fresh and juicy fruits, better to muddle than infuse. But I would encourage you to try some infusions of the non-juicing kind. Some favorites of mine: jalapeno infused tequila for a margarita with a kick, cinnamon + apple infused whiskey, or orange (peel) + spice (I use a natural spice tea because it is simple, but you could also collect whole spices: cardamom, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon) bourbon. Infusing is great fun, trust me!
this reminds me of a grown up version of the raspberry lime drink recipe you gave us last spring, I still make that constantly – to this day one of the most refreshing drinks I’ve ever had. Gotta try this one too!
I may even be inspired to don real clothes and head out into the 106 degrees to fetch some gin and berries because it seems we finished off the gin last weekend.
This looks amazing! I am kind of on a fresh-fruit-cocktail obsession lately so this one is going on the list!
I have to agree, you’re right about everyone else being on vacation. My personal FB, instagram and twitter feeds are full of friends, family and acquaintances all on fun vacations – Maui, Tokyo, Australia, touring the US, Croatia, Paris and Vegas to name a few. I’m starting to get real resentful that my butt is stuck at home!
Just made it. I think I’d put more blackberries in next time. Refreshing, but the best part was eating the puree left over after straining. I love blackberries and want to taste more of them. I had more seeds left over, so I licked the strainer any my son licked the bowl (I used a food processor).
i love your fancy drinks. i don’t actually drink but i bet this would be pretty damn fabulous virgin too.
What a beautiful drink! It sounds wonderfully refreshing and summery too. I decided I was going to try out some cocktails this summer and this one has just shot to the top of my list!
I also just made this! I was tired from being out all day but trekked immediately to the store for blackberries because I was helpless against those photos. Plus what else could I eat leftover barbecue chicken with? I agree with Peggy that mine was a little under-fruity, so next time I’ll just add more berries, which never sounds like a bad idea. Thanks, Deb!
Blackberries, gin, seltzer, lime… DELISH, and the perfect summer drink! i can’t wait to try this out!
Wow, this looks good. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), I live in the Bay Area, where we have no real summer, and we did not get hit with the heat wave. But I’m down for some fruity gin drinks. Oh, and my husband hates gin, too! He hates even sitting next to me when I drink a g&t. So I naturally buy the juniper-iest gin I can find (Anchor Distilling Junipero). However, I think something less intense might be better for this drink.
This cocktail sounds so good! I recently discovered a raspberry bush in our backyard so will have to make it using them instead!
Oh, I’m a de-lurker here who is so happy you posted a summer drink! I jokingly said I needed a signature summer drink, and you know how that kind of joke plays off. This one might be perfect, although for crazy reasons I will not explain, I might rename it :)
Yum! How bad is it that I want that drink at 9:00 a.m.? Haha
These look beautiful! What a fun, refreshing summer drink. I love gin, so I will definitely be trying this drink! Thanks for your inspiration :)
I second Kailee about those being the perfect ice cubes! Drinks with bad ice ruin my day :)
Looks wonderful, I am going to make a batch of this this weekend and would prefer to use simple syrup. How does granulated sugar translate to simple syrup in terms of measurement?
This is a cool drink in every sense of the word. I like the idea of an old soul in a drink. And the color of your go-to links in the post even match the color of the blackberries. Definitely a cool post!
I had never tried gin thinking I would hate it. Then last year I tried Basil Lime Gimlets at a new little restaurant in town. Yummy! Loved them so much that I’ve made them at home. They use New Amsterdam Gin which I think is supposed to be a little mellower.
That is gorgeous and easy to adapt for the teetotalers among us. I make all kinds of syrups to go with carbonated water as well.
OK… this is making my taste buds tingle already. Lime, blackberries, fizz… I think I know what to serve as a cocktail at our next brunch. Thanks!!!
Nummers! I had a grapefruit fizz-y drink at a speak easy 2 weeks ago that reminds me of this. It was epic!
Not a big fan of gin, but I’ve found favor in the “old tom” style. It is barrel aged and therefore a tad sweeter and softer (and also has more color!) than your standard gin- which also gives it more versatility in my opinion. I use absolutely nothing else in my Ramos Gin Fizzes, and highly recommend Ransom Old Tom Gin: http://www.ransomspirits.com/spirits.php
so awesome. I’ve been sharing it everywhere because right now I’m looking at 55 and rainy and would rather sip a hot toddy. however in 3 weeks when I fly home to the deep south…. this baby is first on the list.
also, that measuring cup is fantastic.
I love the color, and I love blackberries! However, I’m with your husband when it comes to gin, so I’ll try this with vodka….
Just tried this with berries we picked on the farm – totally delicious! Thank you!!!
yummmmmmmm! This looks and sounds amazing. Can’t wait to try it this weekend!
Delightful. One of my favorite breakfast drinks I’ve ever ordered included Hendricks, blueberries, and basil. Though I’m sure a lot of the success of this drink was dependent on the fact that I was at jazz brunch in New Orleans.
Cool! This one is so cool! Thumbs up and cheers!
I try this recipe by reduce sugar to one table spoon and it also delicious. I will use this for special occasion.
this looks like a great drink for Summer! (:
Gorgeous color. Blackberries are my favorite summer berry.
That loos delicious. I love the color.
Your cockails look delish, i’ve got lots of blackberries growing in my garden so i can’t wait to try your recipe! I really like the style of your writing. I’ve just started my own food blog and i think i’ll definably take a step in your shoes and photograph my food to make my post look more interesting :)
It’s a wet. miserable summer in the UK at the moment BUT the blackberries are starting to ripen (normally due about August over here), hopefully we might actually get a crop despite the incessant rain. This recipe sounds amazing and I have saved it to bring out on a warm late summer evening, that’s if we have any.
BTW Gin and tonic is a perfectly acceptable drink over here and as for Sloe Gin… nothing gets me through New Year’s Day (traditionally spent at the races) like a hip flask of a year or two old Sloe Gin and a flutter on the gee-gees!
It’s supposed to be in the 90’s here Friday in NORTHERN MN and I just found the perfect way to cool myself off. Yum yum yum yum! Can’t wait to try these!
My boyfriend sent me this recipe early this morning and I thought about it all day. :) We made these just now and WOW they are good. Neither of us is into sweet-sweet drinks, so we halved the sugar and loved the results, although the blackberries were less sweet than we thought they’d be, coupled with the gin and lime.
We are headed to the blender to try the same recipe… with cherries! Wheee!
I have to say, I am absolutely convinced that I have to get out of my comfort zone and start creating some serious ‘drink’ recipes. Although I am gonna have to wait until October when our summer starts here in South Africa! Putting this one in my ‘recipes-to-do’ list until then!!
These look absolutely delicious!
Think these cold be on the menu this weekend. Look delish Mmm!
It might be freezing cold in my neck of the woods (and I might be wearing Ugg Boots), but a glass of blackberry gin fizz still feels like the answer!
This look amazing, good for a hot night:)
i am an absolute FIEND for gin cocktails, and this looks particularly delicious. and i love that color. i would design an outfit to match this cocktail so i could pose around in some vintage-y bar. i think i need to make this right now.
i tried this last night and it might have been the most delicious thing of my summer thus far. so good. so v. good!
I like how the gradations are pressed into the glass of your glass measuring cup. I’m slightly skeptical of mine since they’re printed on and some of them aren’t even level. Oh well, if we were really going to be precise about our liquids, we’d use a graduated cylinder with a smaller surface area.
My birthday is Sat and I was thinking this would make a fabulous cocktail for my party but sadly blackberries just aren’t in season in the Pacific NW yet.
These are beautiful!
My cousins are coming over this weekend and I’ll surprise them with this.
Yum! This is a scrumptious gin based drink …and another reason to have a gin base drink!
I have a bumper crop of blackberries lining my property. Already have 4 gallon-sized bags picked for jam and pies. This is a perfect recipe for combining some of my favorite things. Thank you!!
Thanks for a great drink! After a week of post-work testing (!), I have had a similar issue regarding sugar and berry content. Perhaps it is just my taste, but I found upping the berry and sugar amounts by 50% to be just perfect for 2 drinks (1/2 c. berries and 4-4.5 tbsp. sugar). We’re not into sweet drinks, but we found it necessary to balance the lime. I initially used frozen blackberries, as that was all I had on hand, but I also enjoyed great success with fresh raspberries and blackberries. Any excuse for gin! Many thanks for the excellent recipes. You are my go-to source for nightly inspiration!
Great recipe! Tried it and loved it!!!
Deb- As my girlfriend and I were excitedly talking about your forthcoming cookbook, she suddenly paused and mused, “Oh my god, can you imagine being MARRIED to her? You would have gotten to taste everything on her website!” Does Alex realize how LUCKY he is?? I hope so!
Sarah — Aw. I will ask him.
Hi Deb, can I please put in a request for a mobile optimised wsoesbsite? I’ve no idea how difficult they are to create, but I love browsing on the bus on my phone and an optimised website would be heaven! : )
I tend not to like gin-based drinks, but–call me crazy–this might be brilliant with bourbon. On occasion, I make blackberry mint juleps, and I’ve found them pretty fabulous, so this seems like the next step!
it so refreshing after a work and have a toss with your love ones
mmmmm….delicious And now my fingers are purple!
Oo, I totally dogeared that page in Bon Appetit to remind myself to make this. It’s absolutely my kind of drink. You know, by your definition of fizz cocktails, all of my favorite cocktails are of the fizz variety. Club soda, citrus, liquor, maybe some muddled fruit… yep.
Love the part about the cherry coke, I used to BEG my parents to let me order it when we’d go out to eat. Working in a bar now, and that fake cherry liquid gives me the shivers. But this, this is like the grownup version of a billion times better sweet and fizzy drink, with booze! Yum!
yumm….delicious
RED FRUIT beautiful photos
I will trade you some for my cherry liqueur I set aside the other day to cook in the backyard, and this week will be apricot liqueuer! A tiens!
Hey Smitten, I love your site. I was looking at the Blackberry Gin Fizz and noticed your recipe says 1/4 cup blackberries… I think you mean 1 cup blackberries. I love tanguerray – and plan to try this! made incredibly easy butterscotch sauce for hubby today – you are awesome!!!
Beth — Check comment #146 where I address this.
I love this recipe… feeling thirsty!
Yes to summer and this yummy blackberry gin fizz. Love to try sipping while relaxing near the pool.
I went to an engagement party this weekend and they made a drink just like this, except with Bombay Sapphire!
Just the right amount of party for summer. :)
I went to see a friend a few hours away this weekend for her birthday, and we made these two nights in a row! A fantastic success!
Oh yeah, here is what we did. After we made puree, we put in 1.5 shots blackberry puree, 3/4 shot fresh lime juice, and 1.5 shots gin. Then we added ice and a little club soda. They were perfect.
Very refreshing and I am with you on the Cherry Coke!!
What a treat after berry picking!
thanks for another great recipe! I thought that it will be too sweet after tasting the blackberry puree, but the lime juice balances the sweetness out perfectly! What a great summer drink!
Wow..this was good. Popular enough to feature it for over a week!
Gin just is my fav summer go to…but you have made it a must!
Made 3 varieties of this over the weekend – blueberry, strawberry and blackberry – and all were super delicious!! Thank you!
Ahhh, I like blackberry I must try one of these drinks, it looks perfectly!
To think I gave away the leftovers of my gin (St. George’s Terroir – very tasty for someone who isn’t a huge gin fan) and could have made this instead!
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. Finally I can stop looking at the berries at the market and thinking “do I *have* to make like a cheesecake or something?” Can’t wait to make this for a party when my friend is visiting. Those who want to drink can add gin, and those who don’t just… don’t. PERFECT.
This looks delicious. However, some of your comments about infused liquors sound similar to saying “I hate all extracts because I had a bad experience with artificial vanilla extract.” Real infused liquors taste much better than most of the flavored vodkas you can buy commercially! I made some strawberry vodka that I swear tastes more like strawberries than fresh strawberries do! At any rate you get to taste aspects of the fruit you infuse that you normally don’t because some compounds that are soluble in alcohol are released.
Cool recipe. Looks amazing and cool. I love the recipe :)
Making a raspberry version here in Scotland. Speaking of which, have you ever tried raspberry drop scones? Everything is raspberry in this (wet/miserable/insert as appropriate) summer we are having and I have to confess to being on a bit of a binge…
oh dear lord . . . slow gin fizz . . . probably the first thing i ever go drunk on . . . as a teenager . . . and now I FEEL OLDDDDD!!! those were the days my friend, those were the days . . . sigh . . .
Wow, this looks lovely! Seems like the perfect summer drink. :-)
This is exactly what the doctor ordered after an evening @ Target with my boys!
I’ve made this twice now, and I’m declaring it the perfect summer cocktail… especially since we have a bumper crop of blackberries in our backyard right now! I’m planning to pre-mix a batch (berry puree, lime juice and gin) in a mason jar to bring on our camping trip next week. Just add ice and club soda, and enjoy! This really is delicious! Thanks so much for the recipe.
This + Friday night + watching synchronized swimming = yes.
Do you make Sangria?… or even like it? I suppose I could sub wine for the gin and add more citrus. Seems like the black berries would make a nice flavor addition to Sangria.
I tried this out and have a few suggestions, especially for those longing for a little more berry flavor. I used a lot less sugar in the puree– I did about 1.5 cups of blackberries with only 4 tablespoons of sugar. Then I ended up playing around with the puree/gin/lime ratios and I liked 1:1:1 best.
In a highball glass, I used 2 oz. puree, 2 oz. gin, and 2 oz. lime, plus ice, and soda to top it. It was incredible. Not very sweet at all, but beautifully fruity.
Has anyone tried this without the gin? Or replacing the gin? Looking for a non-alcoholic version… :)
I just made this today and it was tasty! I swapped the club soda for Pellegrino Limonata (mostly just to get the can out of the fridge to make room for other stuff). It was a little bit sweet with that swap, but it tasted lovely. I had a lot of blackberries so I made a lot of syrup. My next round will be with seltzer and lime instead of Limonata.
This drink looks great! I used to drink Sloe Gin Fizzes….loved them…LOL!! They tasted soooo good…haha! I also used to drink Gin and Tonics…now I like my Vodka and OJ but this drink looks really good. Maybe I will even make it with some vodka. Thanks for sharing
I made this for a group of friends we had over for dinner last week, and even though it’s November and not remotely summery, it was still delicious! (Here in the UK blackberries ripen later in the year) We didn’t have any soda water, so I used sugar-free tonic water and left the sugar out to rebalance the taste. Since I can’t drink alcohol at the moment, I had one without the gin and it was still delicious! I had made enough puree to have 2 drinks each, and into the 2nd drinks round we poured a shot of Chambord liqueur (black raspberry alcoholic cordial) into each glass and this was extra delicious! Thanks for a great drink Deb!
Looks so refreshing.
Could agave work instead of sugar?
We just made a quick version of this with blackberries, lime juice, some maple syrup, water, and a little bit of tonic. It’s light and refreshing and perfectly summer… in a glass. Thank you!
Saw this recipe and had to whip one up. Muddled in the basil and used ginger ale instead of tonic and sugar. Yum!
Love the photos. When I finished reading the recipe I thought ” oh, a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream instead of the ice would be so good”.
It is crazy hot and humid outside, and this was the perfect antidote! Super bright, fresh, and delicious!
I’m in Texas, bracing for Hurricane Bill. These fizzy beverages are gonna help get me through!
Just have to tell you that this has become my go-to summer drink. I use whatever berries looked delicious from the farmers market that day and it always turns out perfectly. Thanks from sunny Portland for yet another perfect recipe!
Deb, where did you get those beautifully clear ice cubes? My fridge makes white opaque cubes. Look so shabby in a beautiful drink like this.
Back then, I was using these trays: http://amzn.to/2u4eypB I have moved away from them since, however, because I don’t like the way silicone absorbs freezer smells.
I made this with wonderful PNW blackberries and my cocktail was a much darker red. I also didn’t have any club soda so I used tonic water. I was thinking that making some of that puréed blackberry mixture and freezing it in ice cubes would be great to have a reminder of summer in the off season….
Hmm, 1/4 cup of blackberries in a blender? Just mash them with a fork in a bowl with the sugar, then strain.
However, if I didn’t have a bumper crop of blackberries in my backyard (I do), I’m not sure this is a worthy use of expensive blackberries. The cocktail really doesn’t taste like blackberries, although it’s pleasant. Hint: a capful of cassis liqueur does enhance the berry taste.
I found this recipe when I was looking for something else but I’m so glad I did because it looks delicious! I’ve been making my own sloe gin, rhubarb vodka and, damson vodka (which I prefer) for years now with my own recipes, but the downside is that you have to wait for around 3 months to drink it. I much prefer your instant version! Thank you so much for sharing :) Lisa (Lisa’s Notebook)
YUMMY!
Made this with New Holland’s blueberry gin (which is AMAZING if you haven’t had it) and passionfruit LaCroix instead of soda. Amazing :)
6 pages of captcha verification are too much for a recipe
Tried these last weekend and they were delicious!
As my garden just now produces more blackberries than we could ever eat, I have pureed a big basket full of the fruit with sugar, strained the lot, mixed in the lime juice and froze this mixture in ice cube trays.
We will have a lot of Blackberry Gin Fizzes this year.
I loved it! I tend to only like tequila drinks, and am partial to margaritas. This tasted a bit like a margarita, but different enough that it feels like I found another favorite drink. We used Lacroix grapefruit sparkling water instead of club soda–as suggested by another reader–since we didn’t have the club soda. It worked great. It was a perfect color for our Valentine’s Day party and was a good mocktail for those who weren’t drinking.
You are my trusted source for recipes. I have both of your books, look forward to your emails, and make at least one of your recipes every week. But aside from your wonderful ideas for food, I also enjoy your writing — smart, witty, smile-inducing, inspiring. I read your NYT piece about working parents who, on top of everything else, must now home school their children: Thank you for speaking out. Fortunately, I don’t have to deal with any of that, but my heart goes out to the millions who do. You used your platform to give them a voice. Good for you. I applaud you. I hope political leaders listen.
I admit to ordering gin and tonics when the heat hits. Will expand my repertoire with this recipe! Thanks.
Also wanted to give you a heads up when I click on the link in your email or do a search on your site for today’s blueberry scones recipe I receive an ominous warning that the site is experiencing a fatal issue and needs debugged?
Hope the bug gets killed and I can get access to that scone recipe! Sounds yummy and I have blueberries at the ready!
Just heard your article mentioned on Pod Save the People–excellent episode–!
I made this with strawberries, and spindrift raspberry lime seltzer. So different and amazingly delicious. Mmmmmm.
Made these for a small, socially distanced patio party with three girlfriends last night. They were a huge hit! Delicious and refreshing. Perfect for an August evening.
I scaled this up to serve 40 at a backyard party and it was a huge hit. Thanks!