(Note: this post was originally published on August 8, 2019. It has since been updated with new photos and a few tweaks.)
A vibrant blackberry cocktail is exactly what your seasonal gatherings need. This summer gin cocktail is the perfect way to raise a toast to warm nights, late sunsets, and berry season. It's a bit sweet, a bit tart, and perfect for a BBQ, picnic, backyard gathering, or happy hour on the deck. It's also easy to make, has an eye-catching color, and is simple to alter for individual tastes. You're going to want to make this unique blackberry limoncello gin cocktail again and again all season long!
The ingredients in this festive summer gin cocktail are perfect for a warm evening. It unites floral gin with sweet-tart limoncello. Muddling in a few blackberries makes this refreshing summer drink extra special; the blackberry echoes the juniper berry in the gin beautifully. Because lemon is typically associated with spring and berries are an iconic summer fruit, this limoncello gin cocktail works wonderfully from March all the way through September.
Ready to dive in? Keep reading to learn about why limoncello pairs well with gin, how to make this tart and sweet gin cocktail, and easy ways to customize it. This one is a summer party go-to in our house, and I hope it will be in yours too.
In case you're not familiar, limoncello is a sweet-tart lemon liqueur made primarily in southern Italy. It's fresh and flavor-packed, but its alcohol content is quite low (typically about 60 proof) and its sugar content is high. Accordingly, many people can find it too sweet.
My solution? Mix the limoncello with something stronger. I personally prefer gin because the floral, citrusy, botanical, and herbal notes of gin pair nicely with lemon. Gin, usually 80 proof, is a good foil to the much sweeter, weaker limoncello. That said, vodka can also work as a way to counteract sweetness in a limoncello cocktail.
If you've had limoncello before, my guess is that you've mostly enjoyed it straight, as an after-dinner sip. If that has been your previous experience, I'm excited for you to try this unique, nicely balanced, and delicately sweet limoncello cocktail. I hope it opens your mind to the many fun, fresh uses of this Italian lemon liqueur.
Although it looks party-worthy, this vibrant summer gin cocktail is easy to make and uses just a few simple ingredients. Before you get started, choose how you want to present this limoncello gin cocktail (you'll find three different options below). You'll start by muddling some fresh blackberries. Next you'll add gin and limoncello and shake it with ice. You'll then strain the drink into a serving glass (important for removing the berry pulp and seeds). Depending on how you're serving it, you may also want to top it with a splash of tonic water. Because it's quick to make, you can easily vary this delicately sweet gin cocktail to suit individual tastes.
One of the things I love most about this festive summer gin cocktail is how versatile it is. As you'll see from the photos in this post, you can serve it in a few different ways:
Not sure which version of this pretty blackberry cocktail to choose? Thankfully you don't have to; allow your guests to choose. Next time you host, try making this summer cocktail customized to order so everyone can enjoy it their own way. Having options is a nice way to make sure everyone has something that works for them.
Here's what you'll need for this party-worthy gin and limoncello cocktail, as well as some thoughts about variations. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
If you enjoy gin cocktails, I have many here on the blog for you to explore.
For something light, fizzy, and perfect for spring or summer, try this Honey Fig Gin and Tonic or this Purple Rain (a gin and tonic riff inspired by the song from Prince). For a smaller-format summery drink, check out this Watermelon Mint Gimlet. For late summer or early fall, I think you'll love this Ginnie The Pooh, which is inspired by the Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie The Pooh.
Looking for cozier flavors? This Maple Rosemary Gimlet is versatile and perfect for either spring or fall. For the ultimate comforting sip, this Ginger Bees Knees, a riff on a classic prohibition-era Bees Knees honey and lemon cocktail, uses aged gin and is ideal for a chilly winter night.
Are classic cocktails more your speed? If so, then you'll love The Last Word cocktail, which is both historic and iconic.
This seasonal blackberry cocktail is an ode to all things summer: sweet berries, bright colors, refreshing flavors, and outdoor parties. Because lemon and gin are both so versatile, this easy summer gin cocktail pairs beautifully with everything from grilled fare to summery salads to potluck dishes. We've even brought it on summer picnics and to outdoor concerts.
I hope you enjoy this limoncello cocktail as much as we have. As you can see from all the different photos in this post, this warm weather favorite has been a summer go-to for us for years, especially when we host parties on the deck. Cheers to warm evenings outside, summer gatherings, picnics, BBQs, and the best season of the year!
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
Spring Asparagus Salad with Raw and Grilled Greens
This easy summer gin cocktail features sweet blackberries, tart limoncello, and floral gin. The result is a beautifully-colored drink that's wonderful for sipping on warm evenings all season long.
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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