Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar

5 from 19 votes

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Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar recipe is an elegant and simple drink. Made with berries, thyme, lemon, orange liquor, and bourbon. Fast and easy cocktail recipe that is great for a party, fancy or casual. A copycat inspiration from Capital Grille.
Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar in a glass with berries and thyme

If you want simple elegance in a glass, this cocktail recipe is for you! A classic cocktail with fresh herbs and berries makes an amazing and simple drink. Perfect for the holiday season.

A hand holding a Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar

Blackberry Cocktail

This berry cocktail was inspired by one by the same name that I had at The Capital Grille.

I just love finding unique cocktails and this one caught my eye! Making a twist on a classic cocktail, like my Cranberry Old Fashioned, always gets rave reviews from guests.

It was beautiful, aromatic, and delicious. A great balance of a little sweet and tartness, with an earthy touch. And I have wanted to recreate it ever since!

So I took a traditional Sidecar cocktail recipe and adjusted it to incorporate the flavors and ingredients that the restaurant used in a copycat recipe.

Top view of Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar with berries and thyme garnishes

Why is the drink called a sidecar?

Rumor has it that it was created in a bar in London for an American army captain that used a motorcycle sidecar.

Ingredients

This is what you need to make this copycat drink recipe:

  • Bourbon (whiskey would work, too)
  • Blackberries
  • Lemon Juice
  • Cointreau
  • Thyme

You can use either fresh or frozen blackberries that are thawed. But the frozen ones will not make a great garnish.

Is triple sec the same as Cointreau?

Both are a liqueur made from orange peels. But the biggest difference is that Cointreau is a stronger alcohol content than triple sec.

You can use either one based on what you have on hand and the flavor will not really change. But the alcoholic content will vary slightly.

Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar in a clear glass with thyme and berry garnish

Instruction Overview

I love a simple, fast, and easy cocktail and this one fits those requirements!

Even with how elegant and delicious it is, minimal work is required.

This cocktail can also be made in large batches so it is ready to go for a crowd. Serve it in a pitcher or punch bowl if you want! No sparkling elements means it won’t go flat or stale.

So here is what you need to do!

First muddle the blackberries with the bourbon in a cocktail shaker or a tall glass.

Add the Cointreau, lemon juice, a sprig of thyme, and a big scoop of ice. Then shake until the shaker is really cold, about 30 seconds.

The ice from shaking is going to help blend the ingredients together and cause friction, especially with the thyme, to bring the flavors out and meld them together.

The garnishes are completely optional but they are beautiful! And having the sprigs of thyme in the drink gives you a waft of an amazing, woodsy scent as you are about to drink from the glass.

What does “muddle” mean?

Muddling means you are pressing and mashing the ingredients together.

To muddle the pear, place the fruit in the cocktail shaker with the vodka. You want some liquid in there to help break up the fruit.

Then use a muddler to repeatedly press and twist the ingredients together, breaking the pear up and helping all of the ingredients meld.

No muddler? You can also use the end of a wooden spoon or something that has a thick handle.

Recipe Video

Top view of a Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar with a bowl of blackberries next to it
Pin for top view of Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar with title at top
Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar in a glass with berries and thyme

Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar Recipe

Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar recipe is an elegant and simple drink. Made with berries, thyme, lemon, orange liquor, and bourbon. Fast and easy cocktail recipe that is great for a party, fancy or casual. A copycat inspiration from Capital Grille.
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: International
Keyword: 30 Min or Less, Holiday, Vegetarian
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Calories: 152kcal

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup blackberries about 4-5 large berries, (fresh or frozen), plus more for garnish, optional
  • 1 ounce bourbon (or whiskey)
  • ¾ ounce Cointreau (or triple sec)
  • ¾ ounce lemon juice
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme plus more for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Place the berries and bourbon in a cocktail shaker or tall glass. Muddle and break up the berries.
  • Add the Cointreau, lemon juice, and one sprig of thyme with a big scoop of ice. Cover and shake 30 seconds until very cold.
  • Fill the serving glass with ice. Strain the cocktail into the glass.
  • Garnish with additional berries and/or thyme. Serve.

Video

Notes

Don’t have a jigger to measure ounces? Once ounce is two tablespoons.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink | Calories: 152kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 126IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

Berry Cocktails

By on November 18th, 2021

About Kim

Kim has grown up with a passion for cooking good food! You can find her in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes, making dog treats, and eating Italian food!

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