Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Blackberry Long Island Iced Tea

   Before getting underway with this post let me just say:  I HATE APPLE!!!  I hated Macs in 5th grade when I pretended to use them for reading class (because no one explained how they work), and I hate this god forsaken iPod.  User friendly my ass....

   This would be the perfect thing to make me forget about my burning, passionate abhorrence.  However, it isn't even 9 am.  I will continue to sip my coffee calmly waiting until Louis gets home to transfer the one lonely album from iTunes to the iPod or until 5 pm rolls around so I can make myself one of these bad boys.  (Also, I find Apple rather arrogant in their capitalization of a non-primary letter.)

   Sorry, back to the drink.  T.G.I. Friday has been boasting blackberry drinks for a while now.  Yet, it seems every time I am there, the bar has just run out of blackberries.  I managed to order one once.  It was good, but the blackberries were frozen/thawed.  Frozen berries would be a great substitute out of season, but fresh berries are magical.  We bought some fresh blackberries at a local produce stand.  They are tart, sweet, juicy, and giant!  The perfect fruity compliment to the onslaught of alcohol in a Long Island.   
Blackberry Long Island Iced Tea
1 1/2 oz gin
1 1/2 oz vodka
1 1/2 oz tequila
1 1/2 oz rum
1 oz blackberry liqueur
1 oz simple syrup (more or less depending on sweetness of berries)*
juice of one large lemon
cola
blackberries

   In the bottom of two glasses, mash 2-3 blackberries (more if they are small). 
   In a cocktail shaker, add alcohols, liqueur, simple syrup, and lemon juice.  Add a handful of ice and shake well.  Divide between the two glasses.  Fill with ice and add a splash of cola.  Garnish with a fresh berry.
   Serves 2.
   *Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water heated until sugar is dissolved completely into water then cooled.  Make a 1C:1C amount and store the extra in a squeeze bottle so you have it on hand.
   **Use high quality liquors, especially for gin and tequila, so the flavors blend well and nothing over powers the drink.

3 comments:

  1. Yum! These would be perfect at a summer cookout, which we should definitely have when I see you again. It's 8:30am, and I want a drink!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You rock! I have been looking everywhere for this recipe!! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you!!! My boyfriend has been talking about drinking these at TGIF's for months, I'm going to make them this weekend!!

    ReplyDelete

Feedback makes me happy!