Blackberry Sage Whiskey Fizz + @NotSoSimpleSyrp giveaway

Snatch up the last of those blackberries hanging from the plants.  You know the ones I'm talking about; they're big and fat, and seedy.  They are also hauntingly sweet, as if summer's faint whisper was saying "don't forget me".  But they're also few and far between, so if you see 'em, grab 'em!  They are perfect for turning into jam, or for blending into cocktails.  I found a few husky scragglers the other day, and just knew that they were meant for me!

My plan was to incorporate them into a cocktail using this amazing new line of simple syrup's that was developed by Heidi (you may know her from  her blog, Young Grasshopper), and her catering-partner, Barbie.  Together, they came up with a line of all syrups that will "inspire and stimulate your pension for amazing mixed drinks...".  They use high quality ingredients and a local bottler, as well as testing each and every batch for quality.  These syrups flavored with lemon, mind, strawberry, blackberry, or orange may fall under the category of "simple syrups", but the care and thought put into each bottle makes them so much more, hence the name, Not So Simple Syrup.

I was fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of some samples a couple of months ago.  I tried the mint and the strawberry.  I love using the mint to sweeten not only cocktails, but also freshly squeezed lemonade or iced tea.  Ditto goes for the strawberry.  My kids and I actually made a huge batch of Strawberry Lemonade using the Not So Simple Syrup and some pink lemons; let's just say, we were in heaven.

But back to today.  I received this amazing Not So Simple Syrup gift basket at my door a couple of weeks ago that showcased their lemon and blackberry varieties.  It also had a muddler (which I've been needing for years...I've always used the handle of a wooden spoon), some cool plastic glasses (shatterproof!), and a fantastic bar towel.  I knew immediately that the blackberry syrup was first on my list.  Remember, end-of-summer-start-of-fall-monster-blackberries!?  

I also wanted to add some sage, my favorite herb come this time of year, to really make it into an early-autumn cocktail.  I knew it was going to be a "fizz", but I teetered back and forth between gin and whiskey.  In the end, as it almost always does in my house, whiskey won that battle.  But it would be just as tasty with gin, if you were so inclined.

You want some, don't you?  Well don't stop here, because below the recipe I have a chance for you to win some for yourself...

Blackberry Sage Whiskey Fizz

by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: n/a

Keywords: beverage blackberries whisk(e)y sage

Ingredients (2 cocktails)

• 4 fresh blackberries
• 2 fresh sage leaves
• 3 ounces whisk(e)y
• 2 ounces Blackberry Not So Simple Syrup
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ice cubes
• club soda

to garnish (optional):

• fresh blackberries
• fresh sage leaves

Instructions

Place the fresh blackberries and sage leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, and muddle. Add whiskey, not so simple syrup, and lemon juice. Fill with ice and shake it up good.

Strain into two glasses that have been filled with ice, and top off with club soda. Garnish with a fresh blackberry and a sage leaf, if you wish. Enjoy!

GIVEAWAY

Not So Simple Syrup has offered to ship one of my readers the same gift basket that they sent me!  The basket includes two bottles of Not So Simple Syrup, a wooden muddler, two plastic glasses, and a bar towel.  Only those with a US shipping address are eligible to win.

How to enter:

• (mandatory) Answer this two-part question in the comments below (and then be sure to "mark it" in the rafflecopter widget): Which variety of Not So Simple Syrup do you want to try first AND what would you make with it?
• (extra entries - optional) Lots more chances to win in the rafflecopter widget - don't miss out!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be chosen by random draw via correct entries in the rafflecopter widget (yes, entries will be verified).  Only those with a shipping address in the USA are eligible to win.  Winner will be chosen and contacted within 48 hours of the close of this contest.  Winner will be given 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
GOOD LUCK!

I received a gift basket and some samples of Not So Simple Syrup at no charge, and NSSS is providing the gift basket for the giveaway. I was not compensated for this post, and all opinions are my own.