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Blackberry simple syrup is the basis for this deliciously simple mixed drink.  They’re rich enough to complement the flavor of the gin and ginger in this Blackberry Gin Mule.

It’s getting to be summer here.  I hate summer.  I know.  I’ve gone over this quite a few times in my blog.  I’m just not a hot weather person.  I melt.  I hate to sweat, I hate the heat, I can get sun exhaustion really easily.  It just sucks.  I hate summer.

No offense to summer, really.  I mean, I love the produce that summer offers every year.  I love the daylight that summer brings.  It means my photos get great, natural light instead of the fakes ones I have for winter.  Summer brings beautiful flowers and fireflies.  There’s some really great things about summer.  Unfortunately, none of them can counter the searing heat that comes with it.

The only thing that can do that is a delicious mixed drink.  No.  They don’t have to be of the alcoholic variety.  I’m partial to a good lime rickey with or without the rum.  I, of course, love a good iced tea!  Heck, I grew up drinking tea.  It was always at the table at dinner.

Out at a restaurant, my go to was a Shirley Temple.  To this day, my favorite soda is Cherry 7-Up.  I know that’s not what’s in a Shirley Temple, but that’s what it tastes like to me.  Oh, how I loved those maraschino cherries.  Who doesn’t, right??

Lately, my drink of choice at a restaurant is a caipirinha.  That sweet, tart, and smooth cachaça drink is tops on my list.  If the restaurant makes good ones, I will drink those all night long, slowly of course.  They kind of sneak up on you, though, so beware!

At home, there’s not much mixing involved.  Though, these watermelon martinis were absolutely delicious!  I think I need to make them again.  Even the hubs liked them.  I’ve concocted miscellaneous drink recipes to use up leftover bits of this and that.  I even made one a popsicle.  But, I didn’t share that recipe.  I should.

This recipe is inspired by a local distillery.  KO Distillery is literally minutes from my house.  I’m trying to buy and use local ingredients in my blog.  I’m inspired by some friends lately to really connect with local businesses and really get to know them, their business, and how we can work together to highlight the great food and spirits you can buy in this little town of mine.

The hubs doesn’t really like gin.  But I like gin.  I like the unique flavor it has.  This gin in particular really has a strong juniper flavor to it.  I’ve not tasted a gin that his this unique flavor.  I mean, my gin experiences are Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire.  Now those are smooth gins but really don’t encompass the flavor of gin.

After tasting this particular gin, I knew it needed subtle yet full bodied mixer to complement its delicious flavor.  I knew that in season blackberries would be the perfect complement to this gin.  But I didn’t want to make a fizz or a spritz.  There was no bramble or bees knees in my future.  No.  I wanted to make something just a little different.

Since there was a great juniper flavor in this gin, I thought ginger beer would be great as a mixer.  That immediately took me to a mule.  That solves it!  A blackberry syrup and a gin mule.  Perfect!  The flavor of the gin pairs perfectly with the ginger beer and the sweet and earthy blackberry flavors.

See how pretty this drink is?  You don’t want to put it in one of those kitschy copper mugs.  You’re going to want your guests to see this drink.  Especially if you float a few black berries in the drink.  They look so cool and give your guest the idea of what they expect to taste.

What they’re probably not going to expect is the delicious gin in this mule.  I know most people only associate gin with a gin and tonic.  Which isn’t a bad drink, either.  I like me a good gin and tonic.  The tonic water does go well with gin.  But it also goes well with blackberries and ginger beer.

Have you swapped out gin for your favorite liquor in your mixed drink?

Classics with a Twist

• Blackberry Gin Mule by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri by A Day in the Life on the Farm

Make Mine a Mocktail

• Dreamsicle Mocktail by The Freshman Cook

Simply Different

• Raspberry Lemon Blush by Our Good Life
• Screwmosa Cocktail by Food Lust People Love
• Skip and Go Naked by Positively Stacey

Tasty and Tropical

• Frozen Peach Margaritas by Pies and Plots
• Perfect Pina Colada by My Imperfect Kitchen
• Pineapple Margaritas by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Prickly Pear Margarita by Palatable Pastime

Very Vino

• Boozy Watermelon Slushies by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Sparkling Chambord Sangria by Books n’ Cooks