The Blacker the Berry Old Fashioned Recipe

Written By Kimberly Tartt-Godbolt
 

A little over a month ago, my husband convinced me to enter a bartending competition. This competition was for Jefferson's Bourbon, and the goal was to make the best Old Fashioned Cocktail. Participating in a bartending contest can be a fun and exciting way to showcase your skills and creativity. Still, it can be downright intimidating for a very anxious person like myself. I have participated in Bartending competitions before. Last summer, I entered the Snoop Dogg Indoggo Gin Competition, where I created a Snoop-themed cocktail called the "Double D-O-Double-G." Click here to check out that recipe. For this competition, all I had to do was send a picture of a cocktail along with my recipe and be judged based on that. I made it to the quarter-finals but ultimately did not take home the gold. I thought this competition would be the same when I signed up. Little did I know that this would be a live competition with professional and home bartenders in the mix. When I got the call that I was chosen to be in the contest, and found all of this out. I almost backed out, but My Hubby wouldn't let me. He said, "This is what you want to do. You need to go for it." I am delighted I did. It was thrilling to be there with some of the local industry's finest bartenders and hold my own. I ended up being the only nonprofessional there. I didn't go home with the prize, but one of the judges approached me after to say how much he liked my cocktail and had not thought of using blackberries before.

 
 

The fun part of all of this was coming up with a recipe. I wanted to stay true to the Old Fashioned cocktail but give it a little twist. The Old Fashioned cocktail is a classic cocktail made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, a splash of water, and a citrus peel. Here are some interesting facts about the Old Fashioned cocktail: The Old Fashioned cocktail is believed to have originated in the early 1800s and is considered one of the oldest cocktail recipes. The cocktail's popularity surged during the Prohibition era, and it remains a classic drink today. The original recipe for the Old Fashioned cocktail is said to have been simply whiskey, sugar, water, and bitters stirred together and served over ice. The Old Fashioned cocktail is the official drink of Louisville, Kentucky. The term "Old Fashioned" refers to how the cocktail was made in the past, before the advent of more modern cocktail recipes. Some variations of the Old Fashioned cocktail include substituting the whiskey with other spirits, such as rum or tequila, or adding fruit like orange or cherry to the recipe.

 
 

Now, for my recipe. It is pretty hard to find demerara sugar cubes, or sugar cubes in general, on short notice, so I had to think quickly. I decided to go with brown sugar as it dissolves fairly easily. I also wanted to infuse some fruit flavor and used my favorite fruit, the blackberry. To pump up the fruit flavor, I added orange bitters in addition to the traditional aromatic bitters. What resulted was a flavorful and complex concoction that is still reminiscent of the original Old Fashioned cocktail.

 
The Blacker the Berry Old Fashioned

The Blacker the Berry Old Fashioned

Yield: 1
Author: Naturally Hooked
Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min

Ingredients

What You
  • 1 bar spoon- Brown Sugar
  • 3 oz- Bourbon
  • 3 dashes- Aromatic Bitters
  • 3 dashes- Orange Bitters
  • 3-5- Fresh Blackberries
  • 2- Bourbon Cherries
  • Orange Peel for Garnish
What You
  • Old fashioned glass
  • Muddler
  • Bar Spoon
  • Vegetable Peeler or Knife

Instructions

What You
  1. Peel and cut orange twist
  2. Add blackberries and Muddle
  3. Add brown sugar, aromatic bitters, orange bitters and bourbon cherry.
  4. Stir
  5. Add Ice
  6. Add bourbon
  7. Sit until chilled
  8. Garnish with orange slice, blackberry, and cherry.
  9. Enjoy!
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @naturallyhooked on instagram and hashtag it # #naturallyhookedcocktails
 

This cocktail will require some muddling. If you are in need of a good muddler, try this one from Amazon. You can also use the back of a spoon to smash your fruit. Amazon also has a great selection of whiskey glasses like these or these that will make your cocktail look even more appealing.

Check out the recipe and video tutorial below.

Happy sipping!

 
 

Other Recipes you may like:

Featured
3 of My Favorite Cocktails to Give you Some “Ginspiration” on World Gin Day
Wine Slushies, Wine, Frozen Cocktails, Gin Cocktails, Summer Cocktails
best frozen cocktail recipe, how to make a wine slushy, how to make frozen cocktails, how to make frozen cocktails with a blender, how to make frozen cocktails with wine, Black-Owned Wine, frozen wine drinks, best frozen drinks to make, frozen cocktails, frozen summer cocktails, frozen drinks, frozen wine slushy, fruity frozen cocktails, how to make the best frozen cocktails, Black-Owned-gin, gin, gin cocktails, gin drinks, Black-owned liquor distributors, strawberry gin, strawberry cocktail, strawberry wine slushy, fun summer drinks, summer cocktails, support black brands, support black business, pool cocktails, brunch cocktails, tom collins, collins, collins cocktail, fall cocktails, apple cider fall cocktails, mardi gras cocktails, blackberry cocktails, best gin drinks, ginspiration, world gin day
3 of My Favorite Cocktails to Give you Some “Ginspiration” on World Gin Day
Wine Slushies, Wine, Frozen Cocktails, Gin Cocktails, Summer Cocktails
best frozen cocktail recipe, how to make a wine slushy, how to make frozen cocktails, how to make frozen cocktails with a blender, how to make frozen cocktails with wine, Black-Owned Wine, frozen wine drinks, best frozen drinks to make, frozen cocktails, frozen summer cocktails, frozen drinks, frozen wine slushy, fruity frozen cocktails, how to make the best frozen cocktails, Black-Owned-gin, gin, gin cocktails, gin drinks, Black-owned liquor distributors, strawberry gin, strawberry cocktail, strawberry wine slushy, fun summer drinks, summer cocktails, support black brands, support black business, pool cocktails, brunch cocktails, tom collins, collins, collins cocktail, fall cocktails, apple cider fall cocktails, mardi gras cocktails, blackberry cocktails, best gin drinks, ginspiration, world gin day
Wine Slushies, Wine, Frozen Cocktails, Gin Cocktails, Summer Cocktails
best frozen cocktail recipe, how to make a wine slushy, how to make frozen cocktails, how to make frozen cocktails with a blender, how to make frozen cocktails with wine, Black-Owned Wine, frozen wine drinks, best frozen drinks to make, frozen cocktails, frozen summer cocktails, frozen drinks, frozen wine slushy, fruity frozen cocktails, how to make the best frozen cocktails, Black-Owned-gin, gin, gin cocktails, gin drinks, Black-owned liquor distributors, strawberry gin, strawberry cocktail, strawberry wine slushy, fun summer drinks, summer cocktails, support black brands, support black business, pool cocktails, brunch cocktails, tom collins, collins, collins cocktail, fall cocktails, apple cider fall cocktails, mardi gras cocktails, blackberry cocktails, best gin drinks, ginspiration, world gin day
A Surprisingly Seasonal Cocktail: the Holiday Mojito
Fall Cocktails, Christmas Cocktails, Rum Cocktails, Holiday Cocktails
autumn drinks, blackberry cocktails, pearberry, pearberry cocktail, fall cocktails for a crowd, fall cocktails for thanksgiving, fall cocktails to make at home, fall cocktails, fall cocktails to try, fall cocktails with whiskey, How to Whiskey cocktails, whiskey cocktails, honey whiskey, Evan williams honey, fall cocktails without apple cider, fall cocktails at home, fall cocktails drinks, fall cocktails easy, fall cocktails for party, fall cocktails food and wine, fall cocktail ideas, fall inspired cocktails, apricot brandy, fall cocktails mixed drinks, fall cocktail recipes, quick fall cocktails, fall cocktails pinterest, fall cocktails simple, whiskey smash, fall whiskey cocktails
A Surprisingly Seasonal Cocktail: the Holiday Mojito
Fall Cocktails, Christmas Cocktails, Rum Cocktails, Holiday Cocktails
autumn drinks, blackberry cocktails, pearberry, pearberry cocktail, fall cocktails for a crowd, fall cocktails for thanksgiving, fall cocktails to make at home, fall cocktails, fall cocktails to try, fall cocktails with whiskey, How to Whiskey cocktails, whiskey cocktails, honey whiskey, Evan williams honey, fall cocktails without apple cider, fall cocktails at home, fall cocktails drinks, fall cocktails easy, fall cocktails for party, fall cocktails food and wine, fall cocktail ideas, fall inspired cocktails, apricot brandy, fall cocktails mixed drinks, fall cocktail recipes, quick fall cocktails, fall cocktails pinterest, fall cocktails simple, whiskey smash, fall whiskey cocktails
Fall Cocktails, Christmas Cocktails, Rum Cocktails, Holiday Cocktails
autumn drinks, blackberry cocktails, pearberry, pearberry cocktail, fall cocktails for a crowd, fall cocktails for thanksgiving, fall cocktails to make at home, fall cocktails, fall cocktails to try, fall cocktails with whiskey, How to Whiskey cocktails, whiskey cocktails, honey whiskey, Evan williams honey, fall cocktails without apple cider, fall cocktails at home, fall cocktails drinks, fall cocktails easy, fall cocktails for party, fall cocktails food and wine, fall cocktail ideas, fall inspired cocktails, apricot brandy, fall cocktails mixed drinks, fall cocktail recipes, quick fall cocktails, fall cocktails pinterest, fall cocktails simple, whiskey smash, fall whiskey cocktails
The Quintessential Kentucky Derby Cocktail: The Mint Julep (with a twist)
Bourbon Cocktails, Mint Julep, Kentucky Derby Cocktails, Summer Cocktails
cocktail recipe, easy cocktail recipe, classic cocktail recipe, non alcoholic cocktail recipe, non-alcoholic mint julep, mint julep, strawberry mint julep, classic mint julep, Churchill downs, kentucky derby, ky derby, triple crown, premium whiskey, whiskey drinks, whiskey cocktails, libations, alcoholic beverages, alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, kentucky burbon, kentucky whiskey, mint, strawberry, mint simple syrup, cocktail tutorial, recipe tutorial, cocktail recipe tutorial
The Quintessential Kentucky Derby Cocktail: The Mint Julep (with a twist)
Bourbon Cocktails, Mint Julep, Kentucky Derby Cocktails, Summer Cocktails
cocktail recipe, easy cocktail recipe, classic cocktail recipe, non alcoholic cocktail recipe, non-alcoholic mint julep, mint julep, strawberry mint julep, classic mint julep, Churchill downs, kentucky derby, ky derby, triple crown, premium whiskey, whiskey drinks, whiskey cocktails, libations, alcoholic beverages, alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, kentucky burbon, kentucky whiskey, mint, strawberry, mint simple syrup, cocktail tutorial, recipe tutorial, cocktail recipe tutorial
Bourbon Cocktails, Mint Julep, Kentucky Derby Cocktails, Summer Cocktails
cocktail recipe, easy cocktail recipe, classic cocktail recipe, non alcoholic cocktail recipe, non-alcoholic mint julep, mint julep, strawberry mint julep, classic mint julep, Churchill downs, kentucky derby, ky derby, triple crown, premium whiskey, whiskey drinks, whiskey cocktails, libations, alcoholic beverages, alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, kentucky burbon, kentucky whiskey, mint, strawberry, mint simple syrup, cocktail tutorial, recipe tutorial, cocktail recipe tutorial
 

Follow Naturally Hooked on all of you favorite social media sites

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kimberly Tartt-Godbolt
Previous

Celebrating our Family Reunion with a Signature Cocktail: The Tarttini
Next

Down the Hatcher Cocktail