I live for fall. Truly, when the month of September hits, I’m breaking out the Halloween decor and enshrouding my house in shades of green, purple, and black.
To capture the spirit of those witchy vibes, I mix up my own version of a witch’s brew: The Blackberry & Sage Gin and Tonic. A spin on the classic G&T, the sage adds an earthy, peppery bite to the tart sweetness of the blackberries. The drink itself ranges from subtle red to a delightful violet color depending on how many blackberries you use—I skew toward more than most. No matter what, it looks right at home among my Halloween accoutrements.
Regrettably, I don’t have a magic wand with which to craft retail merchandising displays, but if I did, I know this would look stunning in full Halloween regalia. Blackberry clamshells stacked on spellbooks nestled next to cauldrons full of gin bottles surrounded by sage leaves—can you imagine the crowd it would draw?
For a drink worthy of a witch, going all out isn’t optional; it’s imperative.
Now that’s one devilishly good concoction.
4–6 sage leaves (or more, depending on how pronounced you want the flavor to be)
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
6–8 blackberries, plus extra for garnish
½ oz sage simple syrup
Splash of fresh lemon juice
1½ oz gin
San Pellegrino
Sage leaves, for garnish (optional)
Time: 15 min
Servings: 1 cocktail
1. To create the simple syrup, combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil and stir until sugar is dissolved.
2. Remove pan from heat and add the sage leaves. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes.
3. Remove sage and strain into a glass container for storage. Store syrup in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
4. In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries with sage simple syrup and lemon juice.
5. Fill the shaker with ice. Add gin and shake for 30 seconds.
6. Strain the contents of the shaker into a tumbler. Top with San Pellegrino and garnish with blackberries and/or sage leaf if desired.
7. Happy witching!
Recipe inspired by The Charming Detroiter 
