When I’m entertaining, I like to have something a little special on the menu when it comes to drinks and this Homemade Blackberry Brandy fits the bill!
Sweetened with a bit of sugar and juicy blackberries, and kicked up with the addition of fresh herbs, it’s refreshing to sip on straight but it’s also a fabulous way to dress up other drinks, or make a Blackberry Bourbon Smash!
Ingredients
This homemade infusion only requires a few ingredients besides your bottle of brandy!
- Blackberries – Fresh is always best, but if they’re out of season, you can always use frozen berries. Just be sure to thaw them ahead of time.
- White Sugar – The sugar is used to help with the process of maceration. It causes the berries to release their juice and become softer and sweeter.
- Brandy – This liquor is the base of this fruity beverage. I like to use one of the common varieties that’s made from grapes but you can experiment with brandies made from other fruits, too.
- Fresh Herbs (Optional) – Add a layer of herbal flavor by including seasonal herbs like mint, basil, thyme, or rosemary.
Variations
It’s easy to put your own spin on this simple recipe!
- Spices – Add warm flavor with cinnamon sticks, cloves, or star anise.
- Citrus – Sprinkle in the zest of an orange, lime, or lemon for a bit of brightness.
- Vanilla – Round out the flavor of the brandy with a couple of vanilla beans or a dash of vanilla extract.
- Ginger – Toss in a bit of ginger to add a little earthy and spicy kick to the brandy.
- Fruit – Use a different seasonal fruit to infuse other flavor into the brandy. Peach, apple, and other berry flavors work well.
Blackberry Brandy Recipe
It couldn’t be easier to make this fruity brandy. The hardest part is waiting a couple of weeks for the flavors to infuse!
- Muddle the berries and sugar. Muddle the blackberries and sugar together in a large glass mason jar.
- Add brandy. Once the sugar is completely dissolved, add the brandy.
- Shake it up. Twist the lid tightly onto the mason jar and shake several times.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Place the jar in a cool, dark place and allow the mixture to steep for at least two weeks. Every couple of days, shake the jar.
- Strain out berries. After the infusion is complete, transfer the brandy to a fresh mason jar by pouring it through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve.
What to Serve With Homemade Blackberry Brandy
Blackberry brandy is a smooth drink to sip on its own, either neat or over ice, or you can mix it into a cocktail. It’s also a fun accompaniment to a cheese board or a fruity dessert like mixed berry pie, berry ricotta cheesecake, or grilled peaches with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.
You can also use it for savory recipes. Reduce it to make a sauce for pan-fried steak or salmon, or mix a bit into your favorite BBQ sauce recipe.
Storage and Freezing
Depending on how you like your brandy, you can leave the mason jar at room temperature with your other liquor and liqueur or you can store it in the fridge.
How to Store Blackberry Brandy
Keep the blackberry brandy sealed in the mason jar in the refrigerator for a chilled drink. While it’s ideal to consume it within six months for the best flavor, it can last for a year or two.
Can I Freeze Blackberry Brandy?
You can certainly store this brandy in the freezer if you like it extra cold. Because the alcohol content is relatively high, it doesn’t freeze solid.
Common Questions about Blackberry Brandy
Blackberry brandy is easy to make — simply add muddled berries and sugar to the brandy and keep it sealed in a clean mason jar for at least 2 weeks. Then, simply strain it and serve or store it.
You can sip blackberry brandy straight, pour it over ice cubes, or add some sparkling water or ginger ale for a fizzy drink. It also pairs well with most liquors like whisky, gin, and rum so it’s also a great way to add blackberry flavor to classic cocktails. But you can also use it to get creative and make your own amazing craft cocktails!
More Fun Drink Recipes
I love a fun drink recipe, especially when entertaining guests or hosting parties. Here are a few of our favorites.
How to Make Blackberry Brandy
Ingredients
- 2 cups blackberries , fresh or frozen and thawed
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 cups brandy
- fresh herbs , optional
Instructions
- Place the blackberries and sugar in a large glass mason jar. Using a muddler, smash the sugar and blackberries together until sugar has dissolved.
- Pour in the brandy and tightly close, giving it a few quick shakes.
- Let the mixture steep and infuse for 2 weeks, shaking every 2-3 days.
- Strain the brandy through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.
- Transfer the brandy to another clean mason jar to store.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
I love infused alcohols and this one is really tasty! I also added some mint and rosemary and it turned out so aromatic!
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!
This blackberry brandy was soooo tasty! Making it again this weekend.
Oh does this sound fabulous. The blackberries must give this brandy such a great berry flavor. I am excited to give this recipe a try.
This was delicious and super easy to make! My husband and I loved it!