Blackberry Martini Cocktail

I love hearing about other small businesses and independent brands so when I met Sarah of Blackdown Spirits at the Brighton Food Festival launch a few months ago, we found plenty to talk about, especially as her small, independent business makes vodka. And gin.

Based not far from Brighton in the Blackdown hills of the Southdowns National Park, Blackdown spirits are handcrafted in small batches with a real focus on flavor. They describe their brand as standing for quality, refinement, taste and affordability and having bought spirits from them and enjoyed a lovely chat with their founder, I can confirm this description is spot on!

You can buy their Vodka, Gin and Vermouth online or by phone on 01428 707292 and a number of establishments in and around Brighton are already stocking it. Keep an eye out next time you’re in Hotel du Vin or the like.

Sarah was delighted to share a cocktail recipe for the What You Sow party so here is a unique Blackdown creation, the Blackberry Martini:

For this cocktail you will need:

6-8 fresh Blackberries. Frozen can be used but allow to defrost for 30 minutes
50ml Blackdown Sussex Dry Gin
25ml Lurgashall Bramble Liqueur
Ice
Lemon
Vanilla bean sugar
Cocktail shaker
Martini glass (chilled)
Cocktail strainer
Muddler or desert spoon
Potato peeler

Method:

Put the Martini Glass into the freezer or place ice in glass and allow to chill
Place the blackberries in to a cocktail shaker. Muddle or use spoon to squash the fruit
Add 50ml Sussex Dry Gin
Add 25ml Bramble Liqueur
Add ice to the cocktail shaker, close the hard shake
Using the potato peeler, peel the lemon zest, long enough to twist around a pencil or index finger
Using a cut piece of lemon, gently wipe around the rim
Remove ice from glass and sprinkle vanilla dust onto plate or bowl. Dip glass rim in dust
Using a strainer, pour the blackberry martini into the glass
Garnish with lemon zest

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