Easy Blackberry Martini Cocktail

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Balanced flavors – This fruity drink is not too sweet or tart – the flavors blend seamlessly together for a well-balanced drink.

Visually stunning – The muddled blackberries provide a vibrant, deep purple hue to this beautiful cocktail that looks so impressive to anyone that you serve it to, especially when garnished with extra blackberries.

Ultimate summer cocktail – This refreshing drink is perfect for an at-home happy hour on a hot summer day. This Blackberry Martini recipe can also make a batch for summer BBQs or pool parties.

Blackberries – Opt for fresh, ripe blackberries, which will yield the most amount of juice. If you have small blackberries, add a few extra. And, keep a few to skewer on a cocktail pick for garnish. You can use frozen if that’s all you have on hand or if blackberries are out of season.

Simple syrup – While you can buy simple syrup, I prefer to make my own syrup as it is far less expensive than store bought and super easy to make. Simply dissolve equal parts sugar in water over the stovetop in a small saucepan or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave. Allow it to cool completely and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks. 

Vodka – Choose your favorite brand. I used Purity Vodka, but something as simple as Tito’s would work just fine.

Triple sec – I highly recommend a high-quality triple sec, like Cointreau, if your budget allows. I know it can be a little pricey – but just a little bit of Cointreau will always beat the flavor of a lot of cheap triple sec. 

Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice tastes better than bottled juice in cocktails. You can use a hand juicer for making just one cocktail, or you can use an electric citrus juicer if you are making a batch. You can also use fresh lime juice if you prefer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the blackberries and the simple syrup to an empty cocktail shaker. 

Step 2: Muddle the blackberries and the syrup. Then, add the vodka and triple sec. 

Step 3: Add the lemon juice and ice cubes to the shaker and shake until well chilled. 

Step 4: Strain into your favorite martini glass and garnish with extra blackberries. 

Expert Tips and Variations

​For a sweeter cocktail, try rolling the rim in some lemon juice then granulated sugar for a sugar rim.

For more flavor, swap the plain vodka for some citron vodka. Or, if you’re a gin lover, you can try gin – Empress Gin would be a good option since it has a beautiful blue-purple color that would look beautiful in this cocktail.

Want some bubbles? Top the martini with a dry prosecco or champagne, similar to a French 75. Make sure to use dry or brut since the cocktail is already plenty sweet on its own. You can also try a splash of club soda, keep in mind this may dilute the flavors and ABV just a bit – whereas, sparkling wine would add more flavor. 

To intensify the blackberry flavor, trade the triple sec for a little creme de cassis or Chambord. Pimm’s also makes a great blackberry liqueur that could be used. 

For a smoother cocktail, double strain through a fine mesh sieve when you pour it into your martini glass. I don’t mind a few blackberry seeds in my cocktail, so I skipped this option.

FAQ

Can I make a big batch or pitcher for a crowd?

Yes, absolutely! Blackberry Martinis are great for entertaining or your next party. Just multiply the ingredients based on the number of servings you need – I’ve included measurements for 8 in the recipe card notes.

Just muddle the blackberries and simple syrup in a pitcher with a long wooden spoon, then add the vodka, triple sec, and lemon juice to the pitcher. Chill until ready to serve, then shake individual servings with ice or stir very well as the blackberry pulp will settle. 

Can I make the batch in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the cocktail up to 1 day in advance. Again, just give it a good stir or individual servings quick shake in a cocktail shaker with ice before serving.

What’s the best vodka to use?

For a Blackberry Martini, a smooth, neutral vodka is best in my opinion. I used Purity Vodka, which I really like, but other great brands you can try include Grey Goose, Ketel One, or Tito’s.

Also, I like buying Costco vodka sometimes, especially if I’m going to make a batch for entertaining. Costco’s lower-priced vodka is comparable to Tito’s and their higher-priced premium vodka is similar to Grey Goose.