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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Blackberry & Lilac Gin Gimlet

    Published: May 6, 2021 · Modified: Aug 31, 2023 by Emily Laurae · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Shake up a Blackberry and Lilac Gin Gimlet just in time for spring! Homemade blackberry lilac syrup infuses a fruity and floral spin on a classic gin gimlet recipe. This recipe makes one cocktail but is easy to double. 

    Blackberry & Lilac Gimlet in a coupe glass.
    Jump to:
    • ⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 
    • ❓ What is a gin gimlet?
    • 🍴Ingredients 
    • 📖 Step-by-Step Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • ✨The golden cocktail ratio
    • ⏲️ Substitutions & Variations
    • 💭 Recipe FAQs
    • More Cocktail Recipes
    • Blackberry & Lilac Gimlet
    • 💬 Comments

    ⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

    Are you ready to celebrate spring? This Blackberry and Lilac Gin Gimlet is the perfect quick and easy drink to impress guests at your next garden party or spring gathering. No bartending experience needed!

    These step-by-step instructions will show you how to make a blackberry lilac gimlet just like the professionals. Imagine a pleasantly tart blackberry gimlet infused with a sweet and botanical lilac flavor. The best part? You only need three ingredients: blackberry and lilac syrup, fresh lime juice, and gin! 

    ❓ What is a gin gimlet?

    This prohibition-era cocktail recipe is made with gin and sweetened lime juice. A gin gimlet can be tart and botanical, but vodka can always be used instead to tone down the floral flavors. 

    This recipe is similar to the classic but has a twist from the delicate lilac and blackberry syrup infusion. It’s the perfect springtime sip!

    Lilac simple syrup.

    🍴Ingredients 

    • Gin - Gin’s notorious botanical flavor comes from juniper berries and other herbs. Any brand of gin you enjoy drinking can be used in a gimlet recipe. Plymouth is the OG gimlet gin but Hendrick’s, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Empress Gin and Seagrams are also great options.
    • Blackberry and lilac simple syrup - The sweet and floral lilac aromas pair perfectly with tart fresh blackberries in this custom simple syrup. All you need to make it is granulated sugar, water, blackberries, and fresh lilac blossoms. The cocktail becomes a deep magenta color when lime juice and blackberry lilac syrup are combined.

    For more info on infusing simple syrups with flavors, check out my guide here!

    • Lime juice - Freshly squeezed lime makes a world of difference. Yes, you can use bottled lime juice, but it’s nowhere near as vibrant and acidic. 
    • Garnish - Lilacs are both beautiful and edible, making them the perfect garnish for lilac cocktails. You can also drop a fresh blackberry or two into your glass. 
    Making Blackberry & Lilac Simple Syrup in a saucepan.
    Straining Blackberry & Lilac Simple Syrup into a bowl.

    📖 Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1: Shake the cocktail. Add the gin, lime juice, and blackberry and lilac simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with a scoop of ice. Shake until the outside of the shaker feels ice cold.

    Step 2: Strain and serve. Strain the liquid into a stemmed glass and garnish with fresh lilac flowers. Enjoy your summery cocktail!

    Blackberry & Lilac GimletBlackberry & Lilac Gimlet in a Coupe Glass.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Make it bubbly - Give your lilac gin cocktail some fizz and top it off with a splash of club soda (or lemon-lime soda) after straining it into the glass. 
    • Make in frothy - The trick to building thick, frothy drinks (like this clementine and blood orange gin sour) is to add an egg white. Add all of the ingredients to your cocktail shaker plus 1 egg white. Dry shake (no ice) until combined. Add ice and shake until chilled before straining into your glass. 
    • No cocktail shaker at home? Use a sealed mason jar, spill-proof mug, or a blender bottle instead.

    ✨The golden cocktail ratio

    When I make homemade cocktails, I’m ultimately looking for the “golden ratio” of bitter, sour, and sweet. As a general rule of thumb, follow the ratio listed below to build complex, full-bodied mixed drinks:

    • 2 parts alcohol (gin, rye, vodka, rum)
    • 1 part sour (lemon juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice)
    • 1 part sweet (simple syrup, sweet vermouth, flavored syrups, compote, cordial, flavored liqueur)

    ⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

    Revamp your gimlet by swapping the blackberry and lilac syrup for a different flavored syrup. See below for ideas:

    • Rosemary blackberry gimlet
    • Elderflower gin gimlet
    • Mint gimlet
    • Basil gimlet
    • Honey lavender simple syrup cocktail

    For these simple syrup recipes plus a bunch more, check out my simple syrup infusion guide.

    Blackberry & Lilac GimletBlackberry & Lilac Gimlet in a Coupe Glass

    💭 Recipe FAQs

    Where do I get fresh lilacs?

    If you’re looking for fresh culinary-grade lilacs, check your local farmer’s market, grow them yourself, or you can order them online from a specialty shop. 

    In some places, lilac grows like weeds in the spring and summertime. The flowers from a lilac bush that hasn’t been exposed to toxins or pesticides are completely edible. Be sure to wash the flowers thoroughly before using them in drinks. 

    Can I make a gin gimlet mocktail? 

    A blackberry gimlet without alcohol is technically just lime juice and syrup, but try replacing the gin with lemon-lime soda if you want to make something similar for the non-drinkers. Instead of shaking, build the drink in a glass over ice and stir. 

    What can I use instead of gin?

    Vodka! Traditionally gimlets are made with gin but vodka is a common variation. 

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    If you try the recipe for this Blackberry & Lilac Gimlet, please leave a 🌟 review and share your creation with me on social media! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Pinterest - for more delicious recipes sent straight to your inbox, sign up for my newsletter! 📧 

    Blackberry and Lilac Gimlet

    Blackberry & Lilac Gimlet

    A sweetened version of a traditional Gin Gimlet due to the addition of homemade Blackberry and Lilac simple syrup! 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Course: Cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 Cocktail
    Calories: 176kcal
    Author: Emily Laurae

    Equipment

    • Cocktail Shaker or Container with Lid
    • Glass for serving

    Ingredients

    • 2 oz Gin
    • 1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
    • ½ oz Blackberry & Lilac Simple Syrup
    • Lime Juice
    • Lilac flowers for garnish, optional

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker and shake until liquid is chilled
      2 oz Gin, 1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice, ½ oz Blackberry & Lilac Simple Syrup, Lime Juice
    • Strain into your glass and garnish with lilac flowers
      Lilac flowers for garnish

    Notes

    Frequently asked questions
    Where do I get fresh lilacs? If you’re looking for fresh culinary-grade lilacs, check your local farmer’s market, grow them yourself, or you can order them online from a specialty shop. 
    In some places, lilac grows like weeds in the spring and summertime. The flowers from a lilac bush that hasn’t been exposed to toxins or pesticides are completely edible. Be sure to wash the flowers thoroughly before using them in drinks. 
    Can I make a gin gimlet mocktail?  A blackberry gimlet without alcohol is technically just lime juice and syrup, but try replacing the gin with lemon-lime soda if you want to make something similar for the non-drinkers. Instead of shaking, build the drink in a glass over ice and stir. 
    What can I use instead of gin? Vodka! Traditionally gimlets are made with gin but vodka is a common variation.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 176kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
    Enjoyed this recipe?Mention @emilylaurae or tag #emilylaurae!

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    About Emily Laurae

    Emily is the recipe developer, writer, and food photographer behind Emily Laurae. After finishing Pastry School and working as a chef in the restaurant industry, she created this blog to share those skills with home bakers and creators all over the world!

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