Blackberry Pomegranate Bourbon Cocktail (a.k.a. Smokey Blackberry Bourbon Punch)

I tried a blackberry whiskey cocktail a while back called The Royal Affliction, and I wasn’t too keen on it. Sure, it was full of things I enjoy, but it was too tart/sour, and the whiskey was lost. I happened upon this Blackberry Pomegranate Bourbon Cocktail recipe while I was searching for Halloween recipes, and I thought I’d give it a try. It has some similarities to The Royal Affliction, but it’s made with bourbon instead of Scotch whiskey. I like scotch, but I like bourbon a lot more. Plus its sweeter taste might just be a better pairing with blackberries. Only one way to find out…

A creepy cocktail to sip on.

Recipe Author: Jacquelyn Clark at Lark and Linen
Get the recipe

The Ingredients

I went with my go-to bourbon, Bulleit, for this cocktail. Then I added the fresh blackberries and a bottle of a well-known pomegranate juice, Pom Wonderful (good stuff!). The rosemary is really a garnish, but it’s important for the spooky effect. And I have to admit I kinda like smokey garnishes. They just look cool.

Blackberry Pomegranate Bourbon Cocktail (a.k.a. Smokey Blackberry Bourbon Punch) Ingredients
Rosemary, bourbon, sugar, pomegranate juice, and blackberries

The Process

This cocktail took me 30 minutes from start to finish. Here’s how I spent my time:

  • 26 minutes to make the blackberry simple syrup
  • 4 minutes to make the cocktail and garnish
  • 30 minutes total

First up was the blackberry simple syrup. It’s called simple for a reason, and all I had to do was simmer the water, blackberries, and sugar in a small saucepan for 10 minutes.

Making the blackberry simple syrup
Making the blackberry simple syrup

Once the mixture had cooled some, I strained it into a coffee mug. Well, I started to do that and made a mess. My solution was to use a slotted spoon to remove most of the blackberries first. Then I poured the syrup through a mesh cocktail strainer into the aforementioned coffee mug. No mess this time, and I was ready to move onto the next step immediately.

Straining the blackberry simple syrup
Straining the blackberry simple syrup

I chose rocks glasses entirely for the garnish. Let me explain. The sprigs of rosemary I bought were very long, but they were bent when they were packaged. I cut the garnishes at the bends, and they ended up being pretty short because of that. They would have been submerged in taller glasses, hence the short glasses.

Making the Blackberry Pomegranate Bourbon Cocktail was like many others: add ice to a cocktail shaker, add the ingredients, shake, and pour over ice. I did wait to light the rosemary until I had everything set up for the photos. It took about a minute to light, and it didn’t burn for too long. I didn’t time it, but I’d estimate 30 seconds at most. It’s something to be aware of when serving this cocktail, especially if you want to impress guests.

So how was it?

Clear & Accurate Directions
Accurate Time(s)
Appearance
Taste
I like bourbon, but I don't think of it as a refreshing drink. This cocktail has changed my mind! The blackberry syrup adds a sweet, fruity taste that eliminates the burn of the alcohol without masking the taste. In other words, this cocktail was a nice blend of berry sweetness and bourbon. The smoking rosemary garnish was kind of cool and definitely added a spooky, aromatic touch. It could be skipped for a non-spooky occasion--like poolside sipping--just use a few blackberries on a toothpick instead.
The Hungry Pinner
The Hungry Pinnerhttps://www.hungrypinner.com
I'm Candice, and I'm The Hungry Pinner. I created this blog to share my love for cooking and my experiences with the MANY recipes I've found on Pinterest over the years. Join me as I blog my way through those recipes to find out if they are worth trying yourself.

Popular

This post may contain affiliate links to products available to purchase through Amazon. These purchases earn a small commission that funds The Hungry Pinner. There is never any additional cost to you.

More Recipes Like This

2 COMMENTS

    • I think you could with a few changes to the recipe. I would make most of the punch a day or two before and refrigerate it in a covered container. Just be sure to stir thoroughly since you won’t be using a cocktail shaker. Just before serving, add the bourbon and stir thoroughly again to mix. Serve over ice.

      Also, you might find that making the blackberry syrup takes a little longer. Adding more ingredients will probably make it take longer to heat.

LEAVE A REPLY

Comments are welcome! Please be aware that all comments are reviewed before they are posted and will not appear immediately.

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

I like bourbon, but I don't think of it as a refreshing drink. This cocktail has changed my mind! The blackberry syrup adds a sweet, fruity taste that eliminates the burn of the alcohol without masking the taste. In other words, this cocktail was a nice blend of berry sweetness and bourbon. The smoking rosemary garnish was kind of cool and definitely added a spooky, aromatic touch. It could be skipped for a non-spooky occasion--like poolside sipping--just use a few blackberries on a toothpick instead. Blackberry Pomegranate Bourbon Cocktail (a.k.a. Smokey Blackberry Bourbon Punch)