Name: Wild Blackberry Simple Syrup Recipe for Cocktails
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: Recipes with herbs
Ingredients: 2 cups fresh blackberries; 1 cup (128 g, 4,5 oz) raw sugar; 1 cup (240 ml, 8 oz)) water; juice from 1/2 lemon (optional)

JUMP TO RECIPE

This wild blackberry simple syrup recipe is easy to make and perfect for cocktails or drinks like ice tea. It is a great way to preserve blackberries when in season.

Made with three ingredients, delicious homemade blackberry simple syrup is excellent when drizzled over pancakes or desserts.

This summer, we stumbled upon a blackberry paradise. Surrounded by a dense forest during our dog walks, we struck gold when we discovered an abundance of bushes laden with plump blackberries. I wasted no time and donned my wellies and long sleeves to protect myself from the thorns and because blackberries often coexist with nettles, making the picking process a bit tricky. However, the effort was worthwhile as we departed with several brimming cups of these juicy gems. While we relished most of them fresh or in tea, I couldn’t help but think about the winter months and decided to preserve two cups of blackberry syrup.

Having already ventured into making syrups with edible flowers such as roses, lavender, dandelions, lilacs, peach simple syrup, and vanilla pod syrup, I wasn’t afraid of this new culinary experiment.

What Is Blackberry Simple Syrup?

Simple Blackberry syrup is a sweetened blackberry concentrate made from fresh or frozen blackberries and a sweetener. Served chilled, berry simple syrup is used in cocktails and other drinks, and desserts or adds blackberry flavor to your tea.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Whether you’re a cocktail enthusiast, a dessert lover, or a fan of creative cooking, this syrup adds blackberry flavor to your favorite drinks and other culinary creations.
The versatile recipe is simple and quick, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal effort.
It’s an excellent way to capture the essence of fresh blackberries when they are in season and enjoy their flavors throughout the year.
You can customize the syrup with additional flavorings like herbs, spices, or citrus to tailor it to your taste preferences.
Depending on your choice of sweetener, you can make this syrup a healthier alternative to store-bought syrups by using natural sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Homemade blackberry syrup makes a thoughtful and personalized gift for friends and family.

Blackberry Syrup Simple Ingredients

This versatile syrup is incredibly easy and you need a few simple ingredients. You will find the quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Fresh blackberries

To make this recipe you can use both store-bought or wild blackberries. Wild blackberries are smaller but have a more intense berry flavor. They also require some time to collect and blackberry season is short, whereas store-bought berries are available year-round.

Although fresh berries are delicious and perfect, you can also use frozen.

Sweetener

Syrups cannot exist without a sweetener. Although most recipes use white granulated sugar to maintain the syrup’s vibrant color, do not be discouraged from opting for healthier options. I often use honey or fermented honey, but you could also choose brown sugar (for a caramel-esque taste), stevia, or powdered sugar. Remember that the sweetener selected will affect the syrup’s hue and thickness. More sugar make a thicker syrup. Additionally, the quantity of sweetener required varies and depends on the natural sweetness of your fruits.

Lemon Juice (optional)

It is rich in pectin and helps homemade blackberry syrup to thicken. In addition, it balances the sweetness, adds brightness, and preserves the syrup.

How to make Blackberry Simple Syrup

First step: Prepare the Blackberries.

Wash the blackberries thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt, stems, or leaves.

Second step: Combine Ingredients and Simmer.

Combine the blackberries, granulated sugar, and water in a medium saucepan. Place it over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the blackberries have softened and the liquid has thickened into a syrupy consistency.

Third step: Mash the Blackberries.

While the blackberry mixture is simmering, gently mash the blackberries with a potato masher or a fork. This helps release their juices and flavor into the syrup.

Fourth step: Strain the syrup.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool for a few minutes. Place a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a clean container or bowl. Pour the syrup through the strainer to remove the solids (blackberry pulp and seeds). Use the back of a spoon to press down on the solids to extract as much blackberry juice as possible. Store the strained syrup in an airtight container jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before sealing the container. Once it’s cooled, store the blackberry simple syrup in the refrigerator. It can typically be stored for up to 2-4 weeks.

Fun Ways to Use Blackberry Simple Syrup

This Blackberry Simple Syrup is the perfect flavor addition to cocktails, mocktails or desserts.

Try it in your favorite blackberry cocktails like Blackberry Mojito, Blackberry Margarita, Blackberry bourbon smash, Blackberry mint julep or simply as a sweetener in a Blackberry Gin Fizz. Blackberries also go well with vodka; thus, the blackberry Moscow mule is now my favorite cocktail. If you prefer whisky, you can try Blackberry whiskey lemonade.
Use this syrup in non-alcoholic favorite drinks to add fresh blackberry flavor to mocktails like Blackberry Lemonade, Chapman drink, Blackberry Virgin Mojitos, or sparkling Blackberry Soda. These are perfect for guests of all ages.
Drizzle this flavored syrup over desserts like no bake Mini Egg cheesecake, ice cream, panna cotta, or chocolate mousse for fruity sweetness. It also pairs wonderfully with baked goods like muffins, or tea cakes.
Elevate your breakfast by pouring sweet blackberry syrup over pancakes, waffles, or French toast. It’s a delightful alternative to traditional maple syrup.
Add a swirl of tasty blackberry syrup to your yogurt or yogurt parfaits. Layer it with granola and fresh berries for a colorful and flavorful treat.
Create a unique salad dressing by combining blackberry syrup with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of Dijon mustard. It adds a sweet and tangy twist to your salads.
Make this blackberry simple syrup as a base for marinades, especially for poultry or pork. It imparts a lovely, sweet, fruity flavor to your grilled or roasted dishes. Or Brush it on grilled meats or use it as a dipping sauce.
Stir blackberry syrup into iced tea or lemonade for a refreshing and colorful beverage. Garnish with fresh blackberries and lemon slices.
Blend blackberry syrup into smoothies for an extra burst of flavor and sweetness. It pairs well with yogurt, bananas, and other berries.
Dip the rims of cocktail glasses in blackberry syrup and then in sugar or crushed graham crackers to create a fun and flavorful garnish for your drinks.
Use this homemade blackberry syrup recipe as a base for homemade ice pops. Mix it with yogurt or fruit puree for a cool and refreshing summer treat.

How to Store and Freeze

After making the fruit syrup, allow it to cool to room temperature. This step is crucial to prevent condensation inside the storage container, which can lead to spoilage. Transfer the cooled syrup to a clean, airtight container. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work well. Ensure the container is clean and completely dry to prevent contamination. Seal the container tightly and place it in the refrigerator. Blackberry simple syrup can typically be stored in the fridge for about 2 to 4 weeks.

If you want to extend the shelf life of your leftover syrup you can freeze it. Dividing the syrup into smaller portions allows you to thaw and use only what you need without repeatedly thawing and refreezing the entire batch. Transfer the syrup into freezer-safe containers or into ice cube trays. Label and date each container or bag with the date of preparation. You can freeze this Blackberry simple syrup for up to 6 months without significantly losing quality.

Variations of this homemade syrup

Make blackberry syrup with warm spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or star anise. Add them during the simmering process and strain out before bottling.
Infuse fresh herbs like mint, basil, or thyme. Place the herbs in the syrup after removing it from the heat and let them steep for about 10-15 minutes before straining.
For a touch of vanilla flavor, split a vanilla bean or use vanilla bean paste and add it to the syrup during the simmering process. You can also use a teaspoon of pure vanilla extract after removing it from heat.
Combine different types of berries like raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries with blackberries to create a mixed homemade simple syrup.

Blackberry simple syrup recipe Substitutions

Make this syrup with other sugar alternatives.

If you prefer a lower-calorie option, consider using a sugar substitute like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit sweetener. You can follow this sugar free lavender syrup recipe where I used stevia as a sweetener.

You can also replace part of the sugar with honey, maple syrup or agave nectar. Remember that it may alter the flavor profile, so adjust to taste.

Swap white sugar for brown sugar to add a hint of molasses flavor and a slightly different sweetness profile.

You can replace some of the water with fruit juice, such as apple juice or orange juice, to add a complementary fruitiness to your syrup.

Enjoy More Simple Syrup Recipes

Yield: 1 1/2 cup (360 ml, 12 oz)