Blackberry Liqueur

If there’s only one word I can use to describe the blackberry liqueur or Crème de Mûre, it’s sophisticated. It has this deep, dark color that’s really quite alluring. The liqueur is also intensely flavorful with a strong, sweet, blackberry taste. You can add simple syrup at the end, or not, but I like it sweet.

The first time I tried traditional blackberry liqueur was at a friend’s gathering, where they served Brambles (a cocktail made from gin and blackberry liqueur). I was really intrigued by the drink and how it was made. I thought about how awesome the drink could be if it was made with fresh blackberries, so I tried a recipe with a store-bought Crème de Mûre (aka blackberry liqueur).

While the store-bought blackberry liqueur was good, it didn’t quite give the same richness I like in a cocktail. Maybe I’m spoiled by my garden, but I love a good garden-to-glass cocktail. Of course, I got giddy thinking of making my own — especially when I realized that I could use the berries I had in my garden. I asked for the recipe, and the next thing I knew, I was on my way to making my very own homemade Blackberry Liqueur.

What I love most about this recipe is that even if it takes two weeks for the liqueur to be ready, the actual hands-on time is only about 15 minutes. The rest is just waiting for the magic to happen! After waiting, I can use it to make all sorts of drinks like my Knockout Peach Berry Fizz, Blackberry Mojitos, Blackberry Martinis, or just a mixer with some sparkling wine.

One of the first things I did after my first successful try was to give a bottle to my friend who helped me discover this magical spirit. I also kept a bottle for myself because it makes my every drink better!

One note on making this is that you might think that squashing the blackberries will give it better flavor, but it does perfectly fine curing for two weeks. Squashing them will only make the filtering process long, tedious, and painful – trust me!

Homemade Blackberry Liqueur

This homemade Blackberry Liqueur extracts the sweet and subtle notes of blackberries and turns it into a loaded blackberry spirit you can use in Sangria and other cocktails.

• Author: Amanda MacArthur
• Category: Beverages

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups washed blackberries
• zest of one lime
• 750 ml vodka
• 1 1/2 cups brandy
• 1 cup simple syrup (optional)

Instructions

1. In a half-gallon mason jar, add blackberries, brandy, vodka, and lime. Seal and shake vigorously to break up the blackberries. Store in a cool dark place for 2 weeks, shaking every day or two.
2. Once it’s ready, cover your mason jar with cheesecloth, then use a fine-mesh strainer covered with a coffee filter to remove solids. Add simple syrup if you like it extra sweet, and store in the bottle of your choice.

Blackberries are so easy to grow, they grow wild all over the country. But in case you don’t have access to a convenient wild bush,  learn how to grow one in our Blackberry Heaven: All in One Gardening Guide.  You’ll get everything you need to know about growing blackberries at home.

If you make this Blackberry Liqueur, let me know what you think!