Summertime is the perfect moment to relax with a cool, refreshing blackberry mojito. Fresh blackberries, lime juice, rum, and just enough mint create a simple, satisfying cocktail that helps beat the heat.
At least, it’s a good attempt at cooling off.
I live in New England because I’m not a fan of very hot weather, so a week of 90+ degree, humid days felt oppressive. Fortunately I’ve developed a collection of frosty cocktails over the years to get through summers, and this blackberry mojito is one of my favorites.
We took a big batch up to visit family recently. I mixed a pitcher of mojitos for the adults and made a nonalcoholic blackberry-lime base for the kids. Both versions were a hit.
More Frosty Summer Cocktails for Hot Days
- My Perfect Pina Colada Recipe
- Coconut, Orange, and Pineapple Rum Punch
- Layered Frozen Strawberry and Lime Daiquiri
- Strawberry Ginger Caipirinha Cocktail
- Fresh Blueberry Mojito
How to Make a Blackberry Mojito
Gather fresh blackberries, limes, and a few sprigs of mint. With those on hand, you’ll be only minutes away from a chilled cocktail.
Mash the blackberries. For one or two drinks, mashing them in a strainer over a bowl works well; for larger batches, use a blender. Strain the mashed berries through a mesh strainer to remove seeds and collect the juice.
Pour the blackberry juice into a shaker, then add about 2 oz of fresh lime juice (usually 2½–3 limes, depending on size). Add the mint and lightly muddle by twisting the muddler a few times to release the oils.
Add the rum, agave (or simple syrup), and a couple of dashes of bitters. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until cold.
Divide the mixture between two glasses, fill the glasses with ice, and top each with a splash (about 1–2 oz) of soda water. Garnish with blackberries, a lime wedge, and a sprig of mint. Paper straws are optional but add a fun, eco-friendly touch.
How to Muddle Mint for a Mojito
Properly bruising the mint releases its aroma and flavor without making the drink bitter. There are two common approaches.
- Skip the muddler and use a vigorous shake to bruise the mint in the shaker.
- Gently muddle the mint: place leaves in the bottom of the shaker with any sugar or fruit, press down, and twist a couple of times so the leaves are lightly bruised but not torn.
Shaking is forgiving—you won’t overwork the mint—while gentle muddling gives you precise control. Avoid using a toothy muddler on delicate herbs; use a smooth-bottomed wooden or plastic muddler (or the handle of a rolling pin) for mint.
Cocktail Accessories to Consider
I like biodegradable paper straws in fun patterns. A glass-bottom cocktail shaker is handy because it’s easy to open and lets you see the contents while mixing. For muddling, keep both a plastic and a wooden flat-bottom muddler on hand—the wooden one should be hand-washed and treated with food-grade mineral oil occasionally.
Recipe: Refreshing and Summery Blackberry Mojito
Ingredients
- 6–8 blackberries
- 2 oz lime juice (about 3 limes)
- 12 medium mint leaves
- 4 oz rum
- 1 1/2 oz agave syrup (or simple syrup)
- 2–3 dashes bitters
- Ice
- 4 oz soda water
- Extra mint leaves, blackberries, and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Mash the blackberries in a bowl and strain the juice through a mesh strainer into your shaker, discarding the seeds.
- Squeeze limes into the shaker until you have 2 oz of lime juice. Add the mint and gently muddle the leaves to release flavor.
- Add the rum, agave syrup, and bitters. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well chilled.
- Divide the mixture between two glasses, add ice, and top each with a splash of soda water. Garnish with blackberries, lime wedges, and mint.
Notes
- Straws: Paper straws are eco-friendly and come in many patterns—chevron or stripes are great choices.
- Blackberries: Straining seeds is optional, but doing so yields a smoother drink.
- Rum: Golden rum works well, though white or dark rum can also be used depending on your preference.
- Virgin Mojito: For a nonalcoholic version, mix the blackberry juice, mint, lime juice, and agave, then add a couple of tablespoons of the mix to each glass and top with soda water and ice.
- Muddling alternative: If you prefer, vigorously shake the mint with ice to bruise it instead of muddling.
If you try this blackberry mojito, I’d love to hear how it turned out—what you liked, any tweaks you made, or how you served it. Cheers!
– Happy Drinking, Annemarie
