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.
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Lilac gin cocktail 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!
Ingredient notes
- 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, and Seagrams are also great options.
- Blackberry and lilac simple syrup - The sweet and floral lilac aromas pair perfectly with tart blackberries in this custom simple syrup. All you need to make it is granulated sugar, water, blackberries, and lilac petals. 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.
How to make a blackberry and lilac gin gimlet
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!
Tips and tricks
- 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)
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
For these simple syrup recipes plus a bunch more, check out my simple syrup infusion guide.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
Vodka! Traditionally gimlets are made with gin but vodka is a common variation.
More gin cocktails
- Blueberry and Black Current Cocktail
- Lemon Lavender Sour
- Passionfruit Gin Fizz
- Cranberry Gin and Tonic
As always, I love seeing your creations and hearing from you! If you try this recipe, please leave a review or 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 & Lilac Gimlet
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 chilled2 oz Gin, 1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice, ½ oz Blackberry & Lilac Simple Syrup, Lime Juice
- Strain into your glass and garnish with lilac flowersLilac flowers for garnish
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