This homemade blackberry simple syrup is amazing! You can use it to easily add flavor to cocktails, mocktails, milkshakes, and lemonade. With just 4 simple ingredients, blackberries, water, lemon peel, and sugar, you can make a sweet, simple syrup in under 20 minutes.
Simple syrups are a delicious way to add a boost of flavor to your favorite drink! Syrups such as this blackberry one are not only tasty, but they’re also extremely easy to make.
I added it to my Blackberry Party Punch It is such a great addition.
You just need 3 simple ingredients and less than 20 minutes from start to finish.
This easy blackberry syrup adds exquisite fruity flavor to cocktails, mocktails, iced tea, lemonade, or even milkshakes!
Be sure to also try my strawberry simple syru, lavender syrup and my Jalapeno Simple Syrup.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with just 4 ingredients
- Takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish
- You can make it in one pot
- Adds strong flavor to any drink
- Healthier (and cheaper!) than buying artificial blackberry syrup from the store
Ingredient Tips
- Blackberries: I prefer to use fresh blackberries when I can. However, if they’re not in season, frozen blackberries will also work
- Sugar: The best kind of sugar for a simple syrup is regular white sugar. It dissolves easiest and won’t leave you with a grainy texture
- Lemon peel: This is what elevates my syrup and makes it different. The lemon adds a zing of brightness to cut some of the sweetness
How To Make Homemade Blackberry Simple Syrup
- To a large pot add the water and sugar and bring to a boil
- Add in your blackberries and lemon peel and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes
- Turn the stove off and take the pot off the heat. Pour the syrup to a fine mesh strainer
- Store cooled syrup in a glass, airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
🛒Ingredient Substitutions and Variations
Substitutions:
Blackberries: You can use frozen blackberries if you don’t have fresh
Sugar: I HIGHLY suggest using regular white sugar, but if you don’t have any you could substitute with brown sugar. The molasses in the brown sugar will add a hint of caramel flavor
Variations:
- Substitute the lemon with lime or orange
- Simmer in a sprig of fresh rosemary to add some herbaceousness (be sure to strain!)
- Going off on the herb tangent, fresh sage, thyme, mint, or basil also pair well with blackberry
🫐🍓Best Uses For Blackberry Simple Syrup
- Cocktails: I LOVE adding simple syrups to cocktails. It’s such an easy way to customize your favorite drink, add a strong boost of flavor, plus, they’re so much easier to mix in than muddled fruit.
➡️Some good recipes to use it in are: Vodka sunrise, summer whiskey cocktail, or gin sour
- Tea: Stir a spoonful of blackberry syrup into iced or hot tea to give it a fresh, vibrant fruit flavor. I suggest using green tea, raspberry tea, or lemon tea for the best flavor.
- Lemonade: I’m going to brag a bit here and tell you that I make the BEST strawberry basil lemonade. It’s the best because I make it with a strawberry simple syrup, but you could easily swap that for this blackberry syrup and make an incredible blackberry lemonade.
- Milkshakes: Put a fresh twist on a vanilla milkshake by blending in a spoonful of homemade blackberry syrup! I recommend drizzling a little extra over the top with a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips for true decadence
- Desserts: I love spooning this syrup over top of cheesecake, pancake, ice cream or pies!
- Cheese board: Top brie or a soft goat cheese with this syrup. If doing this, I recommend NOT straining the blackberries and leaving it chunky.
👩🍳Expert Tips
- Use fresh blackberries if possible
- Don’t boil- a gentle simmer is best
- Mash the blackberries to extract the most flavor- just be sure to strain!
- Chill in an ice bath if you’re in a hurry
- Save the strained blackberries and use them in pancakes, smoothies, or to top yogurt
🙋♂️FAQs
Yes, you can. Although I prefer to use fresh berries, frozen ones are generally less expensive and still taste good in the winter months when they’re not in season.
You’ll know it’s done when the sugar is completely dissolved. The goal of a simple syrup is not to be this rich, thick, glossy syrup, but more of a sweet, flavorful, thin syrup to used in cold drinks.
Yes, you want to strain it in order to remove the blackberry seeds. Not only will it mix into drinks easier, but the texture will be SO much better.
Nobody wants to be drinking a Limoncello Spritz with a side of seeds!It will last for 2-3 weeks if stored properly in an airtight container in the fridge. (see below for storage tips)
💡Storage Suggestions
Storing:
You can store your homemade blackberry simple syrup in an airtight, glass container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Simple syrup can go bad, so be sure to check for any signs of mold before consuming it after those 2 weeks.
Freezing:
Did you know you can actually freeze simple syrups?! Not only does freezing significantly extend the period of time it’s good for, but it also enables you to have fresh flavor whenever the craving hits!
The best way to freeze it is by pouring the syrup into a silicone ice cube tray and placing it in a freezer safe bag. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months, being sure to let it thaw before using.
Sweet Cocktails To Try!
7 Popular Peach Schnapps Cocktails
12 Crème De Violette Cocktails
9 Delicious Chambord Cocktails
📖 Recipe
Homemade Blackberry Simple Syrup
Ingredients
- 3 cups fresh blackberries (about 20 oz.)
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Add blackberry syrup ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Turn down heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. If it starts to bubble over, the heat is too high.
- Strain and let cool.
- Store for up to 2 weeks in the fridge covered.
Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!