blackberry meyer lemon gin & tonics & blackberry mint lemonade

at our joy to the world party we featured a variety of bevies,

including a signature cocktail - one spiked, one virgin.

blackberry meyer lemon gin & tonics & blackberry mint lemonade!

they were perfect compliments for each other and were both a HUGE hit.

blackberry meyer lemon gin & tonics

recipe via spoon fork bacon

serves 4

ingredients

12 blackberries

20 fresh mint leaves

2 meyer lemons

1/4 cup simple syrup

12oz gin

tonic water

ice

directions

*you can either make these individually or in a pitcher for serving

these instructions are for making these individually...

1. place 3 blackberries, 5 mint leaves, juice of 1/2 lemon 

and 1 tablespoon simple syrup in each glass. muddle together.

2. fill with ice and top with 3oz gin.

top each drink with tonic.

stir and serve!

blackberry mint lemonade

recipe via savory sweet life

serves 6-8

ingredients

3 cups water

1 cup sugar

18 mint leaves, torn

2 cups frozen or fresh blackberries

4 cups lemonade

mint sprigs

ice

directions

1. bring water and sugar to boil in a small pot.

stir until sugar is dissolved, then turn off heat.

add torn mint leaves and give the pot at stir.

allow mint simple syrup to cool.

2. add blackberries to a blender.

place strainer over mouth of blender and pour in the mint simple syrup.

discard mint leaves. blend on low speed for just a few seconds at a time, 

just enough to break the berries apart but not puree them.

3. fill a juice pitcher halfway with ice and add a couple of mint sprigs.

pour the lemonade and blackberry mixture over ice.

stir and enjoy!

(i found that using a pitcher with a built in strainer while pouring worked perfect for this)