Blackberry Ginger Bourbon Cordial

There is something especially beautiful about preserving summer berries in a jar and letting time transform them into something completely different.

This blackberry ginger cordial combines fresh blackberries with warming ginger, bright lemon, cinnamon, and bourbon. As it rests, the berries slowly break down and the flavors mingle, creating a rich, deeply colored cordial with layers of sweet, tart, citrusy, spicy, and warming flavors.

This is a simple preparation, but it does require patience. Give it at least three months to age, or let it go even longer for a deeper flavor.

Ingredients

● 12 ounces fresh blackberries

● 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, cut into large pieces

● Juice and zest from 1 lemon

● 1 cinnamon stick

● ½ cup sugar

● Approximately 3 cups bourbon, or enough to fill the jar

Directions

1. Fill your jar.

Add the fresh blackberries, ginger, lemon juice and zest, cinnamon stick, and sugar to a clean quart-sized mason jar.

2. Add the bourbon.

Pour bourbon over the ingredients until the jar is filled, leaving a little headspace. Make sure the fruit and other ingredients are submerged.

Secure the lid tightly.

3. Shake and store.

Shake the jar vigorously to help dissolve the sugar and distribute the ingredients.

Store the jar in a cool, dark place for at least three months.

During the first two weeks, shake the jar occasionally to help dissolve any remaining sugar and redistribute the ingredients as they begin to break down.

4. Strain.

When your cordial has finished aging, open the jar and strain the mixture through cheesecloth.

You may want to strain it a second time if there is still a lot of fruit or spice debris in the liquid.

5. Bottle.

Discard the solids and transfer the finished cordial to a clean bottle or jar.

I personally like to leave a few tiny bits of blackberry behind. It gives the finished cordial a little character and reminds you where it came from.

Let Time Do the Work

The beauty of an infused cordial is that there isn’t much to do once everything goes into the jar. The fruit, ginger, citrus, cinnamon, sugar, and bourbon simply need time to mingle.

Three months is a good starting point, but you can allow your cordial to age longer if you prefer a deeper, more developed flavor.

Pour it slowly, enjoy it intentionally, and remember that some kitchen preparations are worth waiting for.