Mint Blackberry Bourbon Bramble

This post is sponsored by Woodford Reserve. All opinions are my own, and I only work with brands I know and love.

Every year I love to make a refreshing bourbon cocktail to enjoy while watching all of the fancy big-name horse races. Last year, I celebrated with a classic Mint Julep, but this year I thought a hybrid creation would be fun: a minty blackberry bourbon bramble. It has all the minty goodness of a julep, with a little bit of fruit and citrus to balance the bourbon and keep things light.

What exactly is a bramble though?

Traditionally, a bramble is a cocktail made with lemon juice, fruit, a little something sweet ( simple syrup or sugar ), and gin.

My version subs out bourbon for the gin, but you could definitely make this cocktail with gin if that's what you prefer. I like how the heat of the whiskey mixes with the citrus and sweetness of this drink to give a nice balance.

Where can I find the Woodford Mint Julep Cocktail Syrup?

Many local liquor stores carry it in their mixer sections! If you can't find it there, you can also order it online.

If you end up not being able to find it at all, you can make it at home by creating a Demerara sugar simple syrup with fresh mint leaves. Strain the leaves from the syrup and proceed as usual.

This bourbon cocktail is a great way to ease non-bourbon drinkers into the world of whiskey. If you previously thought you didn't like bourbon, try mixing it with any citrusy type base. You'll be surprised by how lovely a combination it is!

Love Bourbon Cocktails? You might also like these favorites:

• Classic Mint Julep
• New York Sour
• Bourbon Tasting with Cheese and Chocolate