Cooking Lesson #1107: Skewered Blackberry Bourbon Sour

…from the Perspectives’ Happy Hour Bar

credit: theperksofbeinggenius.com

How you doin’? I love the balance of fresh fruit, fruit juices and liquor. In this Blackberry Bourbon Sour I use a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, sweet orange juice and muddled blackberries creating a beautiful balance with the bourbon’s richness.
 
Aromatic Experience: Muddling fresh rosemary at the bottom of a shaker releases herbal notes that pair perfectly with the fruit. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary, a cinnamon stick, or even a lemon twist for a little bit of extra flair. Thread the sweet blackberries on a rosemary sprig for an outstanding natural garnish.
 
Here is how it comes together… the lemon juice adds a bright, tart acidity that balances sweetness. The orange juice adds mild citrus sweetness. Blackberries infuse a rich blackberry flavor. The rosemary gives this cocktail an earthy, aromatic touch. The simple syrup, honey or maple syrup add a touch of sweetness. The bourbon is the backbone of this cocktail. The orange bitters give this drink a subtle depth.
 
Prep time:  6 minutes
 
Ingredients 
For the cocktail
1 ounce freshly squeezed  lemon juice
1 ounce freshly squeezed Mandarin orange juice
12 whole blackberries
 
For the garnish
2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1/2 ounce simple syrup (50/50 water : sugar)
2 ounces Kentucky bourbon
3 ice cubes
1 large round or square cube of ice
3 drops orange bitters
 
Directions
Prepare to make the cocktail

1. Add the lemon and Mandarin orange juices and all but 4 blackberries to cocktail shaker.
2. Add 4 rosemary leaves.
3. Muddle the fruit, fruit juices and rosemary.
4. Add the simple syrup and bourbon.
5. Set aside while you make the garnish.

To make the rosemary garnish and prepare the cocktail

1. Remove most of the leaves from a rosemary sprig to make a rosemary skewer leaving enough on the end for show (see picture above).
2. Use a cocktail pick to skewer 4 blackberries.
3. Remove the pick and poke the rosemary stem through the berries to create a garnish. Set aside.
4. Place large ice cube into glass.
5. Add smaller ice cubes into the cocktail shaker and shake it like you mean it for about 30 seconds—make a show of it.
6. Strain the shaken cocktail over the large ice cube in the glass.
7. Float 3 drops of orange bitters over the ice cube.
8. Add the skewered blackberry garnish.

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ChefSecret:  I know this might sound a bit strange but muddling the fresh rosemary at the bottom of a shaker releases herbal notes that pair perfectly with the fruit and fruit juices creating an aromatic experience.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. How do you make a cocktail laugh?  A. Give it a good shake!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
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