Are you watching Orange is the New Black? If you are like me, then you burned through 13 episodes of this Netflix series as fast as you could…cause it’s pull-your-hair-out amazeballs. I mean, who else freaking wants to punch that confused, old man, Healy in the m-fing face?! He literally makes me shudder with rage and shriek at the TV and want to peel my own face off…or have a drink. He, and many other characters on that show…mostly the overly righteous, morally corrupt, prison officials and that crazy-B, Pennsyltucky. Dudes (and ladies) got no business judging, as most of them are more corrupt than a lot of the prison population they’re responsible for. Don’t even get me started on Pornstache…this show makes my already swear-y nature even more pronounced…if you couldn’t tell. I should just calm down and opt for the drink thing, since being faceless sounds like a lot less of a fun time.
Aaaand, that’s my segue for this Blackberry Ginger Smash. Smooth…So, let’s discuss this cocktail! I did some quick internet sleuthing and found that a smash is a cocktail made by muddling mint with sugar, sometimes fruit, then you add booze and soda. I like dat.
So, I made this Blackberry Ginger Smash with juicy blackberries, spicy ginger syrup, fresh mint, bracing gin, a squeeze of bright lime, and some bubbly soda water. I added a Candied-Ginger-Mint Sugar for rimming the glass, for good measure. Maybe it’s just me, but often I find blackberries at the store to be a little tough, dry, and flavorless…this time, I found super juicy blackberries. The type whose tender skins yield at the gentlest touch, the kind I used to pick off the wild brambles every childhood summer in the Sierra Foothills. They were perfect gems and I was so excited to smash them into this drink. Oh! And to muddle, without a muddler, I used my friend Megan’s tip to use a honey dipper. That gal, she’s a smart cookie. So, if you can find the best blackberries you can and don’t know what to do with them…this drink is a good place to start…plus, it’s an excellent alternative to TV-shrieking/face-peeling.
[recipe]
Blackberry Ginger Smash
This is a really informal recipe, adjust the quantities to taste…even eliminate the gin for a refreshing soda. I like to layer this drink so there’s an ombre sitch happening. I find adding the ice after muddling but before adding the lime, gin, and soda, helps with this effect.
Makes 1 drink
4-6 juicy blackberries
3 big mint leaves
1/2 ounce ginger syrup
ice cubes
1 lime wedge
1 ounce gin
soda water
Candied-Ginger-Mint Sugar plus a lime wedge for garnish.
Place the Candied-Ginger-Mint Sugar on a plate. Take a wedge of lime and rub it along the edge of your cocktail glass, dip the glass into the sugar to coat the rim.
Place the blackberries, mint, and ginger syrup in the bottom of a rocks glass. Smash/muddle until the mint is bruised and the blackberries are squished. Add the ice cubes, followed by a squeeze of lime, gin, and top of with soda water.
Ginger Syrup:
Make quick work of chopping the ginger by using a mini food processor…otherwise, get friendly with your knife.
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup chopped, fresh ginger root
1/2 cup water
In a saucepan combine all of the ingredients and heat to dissolve the sugar, bring to a boil, boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and pour into a heatproof jar, cool to room temperature, seal with a lid or cover with plastic wrap, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Candied Ginger Mint Sugar:
2 tablespoons chopped, candied ginger
1 tablespoon fresh mint
2 tablespoons sugar
In a mini food processor, combine all ingredients and pulse! The end. [/recipe]
I’m so glad you’re totally IN where Orange is the New Black is concerned. I miss that season already.
AND this drink looks awesome. I want to chug 3 while watching season 2. Healy can suck it.
He CAN suck it…I definitely said something similar, yet FAR more explicit along those lines at the end of the final episode. AH!
Omg, so yummy! I hate Healy and kind of want to be friends with Crazy Eyes…but at a safe distant! Loving the colours of your drink…and the glass?? So cool!
I like Crazy-Eyes, too! She’s harmless with a heart of gold…aside from the floor peeing.
I clearly need to get on that show… But not as much as I need to get on with this drink..This is a summer perfect cocktail. fo sho
Yes and Yes…to both. Thanks girl!
I’m so making this drink. Sounds like I should be watching that show, too!
Oh, it’s a good one!
ACK! Orange is the New Black totes requires a drink. I have a serious need to punch Pornstache in the face, and then I feel all conflicted because the actor who plays him is kinda hot (minus the ‘stache) and it’s SO CONFUSING! This drink might be just the ticket. Thanks for sharing!
hahaha, I love this! He obviously has a tiny, baby boy heart too…in love like a stinkin’ puppy!
I haven’t watched this show you speak of yet but I’ve got a full night free tonight to get on it, so you best believe these cocktails will be accompanying me. I’M EXCITED.
oh, girl…you’re gonna love it!
This sounds so good! I love blackberries and one of my fave liqueurs is Chambord. I need to try your drink!
thanks! my mom loves Chambord too!
I am SO behind in TV shows I don’t even know what Orange is the New Black is. ahhh! That said, I’m totally getting into cocktail making (thanks to a new cocktail shaker and glasses purchased on a whim). This looks so, so good.
my addiction to TV is embarassing! and, if you can believe it…I don’t even have a cocktail shaker. This needs to be remedied. I can’t wait to see what you’ll make with your new goods, Kasey!!
Apparently I’m one of the few people that hasn’t watched this show! I must fix this asap!
Anyhow, the photos are beautiful! It makes me wish I was drinking one right now instead of being at work (and reading blogs) lol!
Yes! and thanks, Ana!
GUESS WHO WANTS AN ENTIRE PITCHER OF THIS BUSINESS?!
YEAH! Let’s make two and share them with no one.
AWWW YEAH
i am starting Orange is the New Black today – everyones been talking so much about it and I could see this smash happening this weekend.
oh, man. I am obsessed! Enjoy it!
Loving this. Such a fabulous drink! And so pretty!
Thanks, Katrina!!
Mmmm…yes, I want one of these, on a porch, with my sunglasses on. Pretty drink and pretty garnish! Nailed it.
Can you be wearing your wide brimmed hat? Thanks, Nicole!
This is so darn pretty…..makes me wish I was a drinker. LOL!
haha, dang! well, I know the virgin version is just as good!
This looks gorgeous. I love the idea of fresh fruit in a drink. It looks so refreshing.
Thanks, Renee!
New to your blog via Erika at Southern Souffle and I must say this is definitely something I need in my life. Beautiful. And that show? Gonna check it out pronto.
Welcome, Maria!
So pretty, so yummy… on the list of rinks for my holiday!
awesome! thanks, Tracy!
Obsessed with Orange is the New Black. And I love this drink. It’s so pretty!
YES! Thanks, girlfren!
I could so do with one of these right now. I got a breeze breezin’ on me, and the sun is shining. And my sweary nature is also in need of a drank!
YES!
You summed up my entire thoughts of OITNB and I breezed through the entire season way to fast. Please don’t tell me I have to wait a year for season 2??! This sounds amazing, I love any drink involving mint. Or fruit. Or gin, for that matter… Great photos!
oh, man…the wait for the second season is going to be torture! such a cliff-hanger!
OMG, yes on Orange Is The New Black! I burned through half the season on Sunday and I can’t wait to do it again–one of these days when I have time. Confession time: I was wondering why I found Pornstache oddly cute, and then I realized that he was Dimitri on Weeds. Much better look/character for him. In fact, I really love all the Weeds connections (there are many).
Anyway, that drink looks incredible too–so pretty! Love the mint sugar rim.
totally! I thought he looked familiar. connections man, I love that stuff.
Super pro photos Cindy! Super lovely!
Thanks Meghan!
Ok, every part of this drink is PERFECTION. I can’t even deal. A candied ginger mint sugar rim?!?! Aaaahhhhhh!
Thanks, girl!
Late reading this post as I am currently deep into Orange is the new Black! Oh. My. I’ve speed watched it and am now totally bummed I’m down to 1 episode.
Where did you get the glasses? Luv them!
Keep up the good dranking!
they are these Bormiolo Rocco Cassiopea glasses: http://www.amazon.com/Bormioli-Rocco-Cassiopea-Rocks-Glass/dp/B008PCV6J4 I actually got them from Home Goods 🙂
I just found this, although I’ve been browsing your site on & off for ages…. Blackberries? Ginger? GIN?!! I think I nearly exploded with delight!! Oooh & it’s just reminded me I’ve got an experimental bottle of blackberry gin hiding in the cupboard… time to bust that out I think!! 🙂
If a smash is muddled fruit with added alcohol and soda….how is a bounce…as in cherry bounce made? Hoping you would know….and by the way Orange is the New Black is great.
I’ve never had a cherry bounce, but came across this link: http://www.bourbonandboots.com/in-search-of-a-bona-fide-cherry-bounce/