This Blackberry Gin Cocktail is a refreshing twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail. Made with homemade blackberry syrup, gin, lemon juice, and a splash of ginger beer, it's light, fizzy, and full of summer flavor. Naturally gluten-free and easy to mix-perfect for warm-weather sipping or backyard happy hours.
A Blackberry Collins That Tastes Like Summer in a Glass
How do you make a cocktail that tastes like summer? Start with a blackberry simple syrup. Add gin, lemon juice, and a splash of ginger beer over ice, and you've got a fizzy, refreshing twist on a classic.
This take on the Tom Collins blends tart blackberries and warm ginger with bright citrus for a drink that's light, seasonal, and easy to love. Just like in this hibiscus cocktail, an infused syrup brings something unexpected-and that's where the fun starts.
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete ingredient list and instructions in the recipe card below.
Fresh blackberries - Using this in-season fresh berry as our main ingredient, this fruity cocktail will be full of blackberry flavor.
Gin - I recommend using London dry gin but feel free to play around with other gins and their flavor profiles. Don't have gin on hand? This recipe works great with vodka too. Make it a vodka cocktail!
Ginger beer - A good ginger beer adds a bit of sweetness, bite, and bubbly. Don't have ginger beer? Top it off with ginger ale, club soda, or sparkling water instead. Keep in mind ginger ale is sweeter than ginger beer.
Honey or Organic cane sugar - You can go two different ways here. Honey lends its own subtle sweetness, but if you prefer to use organic cane sugar (a vegan option) instead of honey syrup, you can do that too. Agave nectar can be substituted as well, just keep in mind it is more sweet.
Lemon juice - Fresh lemon juice ties everything together and balances its tart flavor with the sweet flavors. Fresh lime juice can be substituted.
How to Make Blackberry Gin Cocktails
Before you start: Get out all ingredients and glasses.
Step 1: In a small saucepan, add water, honey, and blackberries. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until honey has dissolved into water. Once berries start to break apart when gently pressed with the back of a wooden spoon, remove from heat and allow to cool.
Step 2: Strain through a fine mesh sieve into an airtight container.
Step 3: Place ice, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain and pour into an ice-filled Collins or old-fashioned glass. Top with ginger beer.
Step 4: Garnish with fresh berries and a lemon slice if desired.
Recipe tips
Store the extra homemade blackberry simple syrup in a clean and sterilized bottle or container. There will be extra to make another blackberry cocktail recipe (think blackberry bramble, blackberry mojito, or a bourbon smash!).
FAQs
Yes! Omit the gin and add a little extra ginger beer for an easy mocktail version.
You can use a Collins glass or an old-fashioned glass (or rocks glass) are the best way to serve this cocktail.
For another light and refreshing cocktail, check out Sherrie's cucumber basil martini! Or for more infused syrup inspiration, check out this lavender simple syrup.
More Summer Cocktail Recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Blackberry Gin Cocktail
Ingredients
Blackberry Simple Syrup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup honey (or organic cane sugar)
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
Blackberry Ginger Collins
- 1 ½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce blackberry simple syrup
- 2 ounces ginger beer
- fresh blackberries, for garnish
Instructions
Blackberry Simple Syrup
- In a small saucepan, add water, honey, and blackberries. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until honey has dissolved into water. Once blackberries start to break apart when gently pressed with a spoon, remove from heat. Allow to cool completely.
- Once cool, strain with a fine mesh sieve and transfer to a sterilized airtight jar or container. Store in the refrigerator.
Blackberry Ginger Collins
- Place ice, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a shaker. Shake well. Strain and pour into an ice-filled Collins or rocks glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lemon wheel.
KathleenF
What do you think about using vodka for this rather than gin? We have a non-gin lover in the group. Thank you.
Tessa
Hi Kathleen! I think vodka would work great here.
Sher
I'm definitely making this summer - sounds amazing, Tessa!