{ blackberry + lemon vodka cooler }

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blackberry + lemon cocktail cooler | displacedhousewife

blackberry + lemon vodka cooler
 { spring fever }

I’m acting like I’m on Spring Break even though I haven’t been in school in, let’s just say, quite some time. Every year, for as far back as I can remember, I get a little crazy come spring. I want to shrug off responsibility, spend more money than I have, shove my toes in the sand and grab a cocktail. Not the usual vodka-tonic of winter months. Too JV. We need something festive. Something that says, he-haw I’m glad to be alive. That’s right, we’re saying he-haw. It’s that exciting.

The one thing that goes hand-in-hand with this uncontrollable excitement for life is this colorful cocktail. When I posted this cocktail on Instagram I called it a raspberry + lemon mojito, in spite of the fact that I was using blackberries (not raspberries) and there was nary a shot of rum in sight. I had only had one sip. I hope this is giving you an idea of my scattered headspace these days. Happily, I think you all are feeling exactly the same because I got some lovely requests (demands?) for the recipe. So, here you go. You are so very welcome. Let’s make a date and drink these together. Toes in the sand and head in the clouds.

Before we get started:

  • My instructions for cocktail making are loose, to say the least. Are we having a one-shot or a two-shot day? I don’t know…I’m not there to hear you tell your tale. So instead of making you get out a jigger and measure your booze, follow my instructions guided by your mood and I’m promising you the best drink ever. Really. Trust me. I’m a professional.
  • You’ll need a mason jar to follow my instructions…or a large, wide-rimmed glass that matches the size of said mason jar.
  • You can make simple syrup in the microwave…did you know that? I’m really saving you in the dishes department right now. Throw 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl and power on high for about 1 minute. When it’s done, stir until all of the sugar is dissolved. Done. Set in the freezer to chill a bit and you’re ready to make some magic happen. Store leftovers in a sealed jar in the fridge for emergency-cocktail making.
  • Another professional cocktail-making (otherwise known as a parenting) tip: always keep your vodka in the freezer. Don’t tell me you don’t have room. Make room. You’ll always have numbingly cold vodka ready for drinks. You’re going to thank me for this one.

blackberry + lemon cocktail | displacedhousewife

{ blackberry + lemon vodka cooler }

Makes One Cocktail (double, triple (quadruple?) accordingly)

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 blackberries, rinsed
  • 1 lemon wedge
  • 2 sprigs of mint
  • 2 tablespoons of simple syrup
  • Lots of ice
  • 2 ounces of your finest vodka (at least)
  • 2 ounces of soda water (at least)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Put the blackberries, the juice from your lemon wedge, 1 sprig of mint and the 2 tablespoons of simple syrup in the bottom of your mason jar (or glass). Muddle the crap out of this mixture. If you don’t have a muddler, get one. You need this in your kitchen. Meanwhile, use the wooden end of a spatula to get the job done.
  2. Once that is nice and smashed together, fill the glass to the rim with ice.
  3. Grab your vodka and fill it to the halfway point of your glass. Then give it one more quick splash for good measure.
  4. Fill up the remaining space with soda water. Grab a spoon (NEVER a knife…it’s bad juju), and swirl it around. Taste. It’s perfect, isn’t it? Adjust the flavor, if necessary, by adding more simple syrup for sweetness, more soda to tone down the alcohol or more vodka if it’s been a long day.
  5. Throw that second sprig of mint on top for an extra splash of color. Happy day. xx
{ on my mind }
  • I had a handful of these last night and not a hangover in sight. I really think it’s all the antioxidants happening here, don’t you?
  • We bought our chicken coop. It’s sitting there, nestled in the trees, super pristine and clean, just waiting for chickens to start squatting in there. Coordinating with chicken farmers to get chickens is proving as challenging as getting a divorce in the state of California. Lots of waiting. Hopefully we’ll have chickens pooping and trouncing about soon enough. Then I can sit in the backyard, with one of these cocktails and watch them eat all of my freshly planted seeds in the garden. Should be good times.
  • The drought. I don’t need to say any more about this. If you’re on the west coast, conserve. If you’re on the east coast, could you please start building a pipeline to funnel us some of your water? We’re thirsty.

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Rebecca xox

5 Comments

  • Lynn | The Road to Honey April 9, 2015 at 4:50 PM

    All is forgiven with the scattered headspace because you are offering us up this lovely libation. With that. . .I’ll take 2 please (no hangovers, right?)

    Reply
  • DisplacedHousewife April 9, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    I hope you like it Jessica!! I’m going to be obsessed for awhile…I can tell. ;) xx

    Reply
  • Jessica | A Happy Food Dance April 9, 2015 at 3:10 PM

    I am right there with you on the cocktail – and once Spring hits you definitely need to add a little spark! Love this mojito – vodka – blackberry hybrid. And I’ll definitely be going with the suggested two shots :)

    Reply
  • DisplacedHousewife April 8, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    Hi Sharon —
    I’m so excited that we’re on the same page with vodka storage and mason jars…we must somehow be distantly related. And I could not be more excited that I’ve imparted my vast knowledge of microwaving simple syrup. There really is no other way. Let me know how you like the cocktail!! xx

    Reply
  • Sharon | Cheesy Pennies April 8, 2015 at 6:49 PM

    Thanks for the tip on microwaving simple syrup. I love that! It must say something about me that I was already well versed on where to store vodka and the mason jar for cocktails requirement.

    Reply