I have blackberries. I haven’t used vodka in a while and a search of those two led me to a few variations on a gimlet that takes advantage of these deeply purple, sweet berries.

Calling this a gimlet may be a stretch given that recipe is traditionally just gin and lime and this is swapping that spirit for vodka and adding in fruit and some simple syrup to sweeten the whole thing. But it does have booze and lime, so…?

This is a sort of hybrid of a couple of recipes I found online. For one, I didn’t want to mess around with making a blackberry simple syrup when I could just muddle things (and since I tend to have simple syrup in my fridge anyway for various drinks) and for two, many options used gin. I love gin, obviously, but at this rate I’ll never get through my vodka supply. You should, of course, swap as you see fit.

(Want something a little lighter? Let me introduce you to a favourite archive recipe, the Blackberry Gin & Tonic — a delight!)

I used the last of my berries for this. And, you know what? I was sad I didn’t have more. This is quintessential summer and I am here for it. (But also, at three ounces of vodka a go… it’s most definitely for when I’m sitting on my own balcony with nowhere else to be unless I have a designated driver. Then again, given how this summer is shaping up given the latest reopening plan, I’m thinking I’ll have nowhere to go anyway. SIGH.)

Blackberry Vodka Gimlet

• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 6 blackberries, and more for garnish, if you have extra
• 3 ounces vodka
• 1 to 1 1/2 ounces simple syrup — depending on how sweet the berries are

To an empty cocktail shaker, add lime juice and the blackberries. Muddle the ingredients, crushing all the juice from the berries. Add vodka and simple syrup (starting with the smaller amount, or even less if you want a tangier cocktail), then top with ice. Shake vigorously for 15 to 30 seconds, until the vessel is cold to the touch. Strain into a glass and garnish with blackberries, if you have them.