Blackberry Cooler Cocktail

Remember our blackberry drink extravaganza last summer?  We do too.  That was SO much fun.  Now, we've got another one to add to the list. The latest Rachael Ray Everyday was chock full of fun recipes.  Now, mind you, I'm not impressed with the new layout of that magazine.  Too busy.  In fact, I'd cancel my subscription if I didn't find a couple of good recipes each issue.  But, because I typically do find a couple of good recipes, I attempt to ignore the written noise and just read the recipes.

Several months ago, I bought a bottle of St. Germain  elderflower liqueur.  I'd read many drink recipes calling for it.  At the same time, I bought a bottle of Canton Ginger Liqueur. That was the clear winner in our household.  As I type this six months later, the ginger liqueur is half gone.  We've made two drinks from the elderflower liqueur.  I do believe this drink could change that since it was very good and will be a great way to have - as the magazine says - summer in a glass.


Blackberry Cooler Cocktail (for two)


Ingredients:

8 mint leaves
8 blackberries
4 oz gin (we used Tanqueray)
3 oz elderflower liqueur (we used St. Germain's)
1 lemon, juiced
Agave nectar
Ice

 Muddle the mint in a cocktail shaker. Add the berries and continue to muddle. Add the rest of the ingredients and shake, shake, shake. Strain, toast your love, and enjoy!

Directions:

Muddle the mint in a cocktail shaker.  Add the blackberries and muddle them also.  Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.  Add the balance of the ingredients and shake, shake, shake.  Strain into two rocks glasses and garnish with a blackberry skewered on a mint sprig and a lemon peel.

adapted from Rachael Ray