Serves 1

• ¼ cup blackberries, fresh or frozen and slightly defrosted, divided
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon blackberry simple syrup (recipe follows)
• 4 mint leaves
• 3 or 4 ice cubes or crushed ice
• 1 cup sparkling water
• Lime slice, for garnish

Set 3 blackberries aside for garnish. Place remaining berries, lime juice and blackberry simple syrup in a cocktail shaker or small dish and muddle together until juices are released.

Roll mint leaves between fingers to release their scent.

In a cocktail glass, add ice cubes and then pour in the muddled berry mixture. Top with mint leaves, then sparkling water. Garnish with the 3 blackberries and lime slice.

Blackberry Simple Syrup

Makes just over 1 cup

• 2 cups blackberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 cup water

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine blackberries, sugar, lemon juice and water and bring to a boil. 

Mash berries with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon, then stir until all the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. 

Pour mixture through a very fine sieve, mashing berries to release all juices. Discard pulp. Store syrup in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.