Sometimes we create Mixicles® frozen botanical cubes just by thinking about flavor profiles that complement each other and then seeing how they come together as they melt. Other times we are inspired by particular cocktails.
While working on flavors for the Bourbon in the Park event last fall, Jen fell in love with a blackberry bourbon smash that she had at a restaurant in Cincinnati. She thought that the flavor combination would be a great addition to the Mixicles line-up and asked Jason, our CFO (Chief Flavor Officer), to try creating the cocktail base in ice-cube form. Jason was game. The only issue was that he’d never sampled blackberry juice, and so he didn't have a frame of reference for how the drink should taste.
It was time to go undercover. Posing as a husband desperate to impress his (work) wife, Jason returned to the restaurant where Jen had tried the cocktail, ordered one, and questioned the bartender about how to recreate the drink at home. Mission accomplished. Now Jason just had to figure out the right balance of blackberry, lemon, and thyme to create a cube that tastes great from the moment it's added to a drink through to the last sip.
Blackberry Lemon Thyme is versatile. While originally designed to pair with bourbon, this flavor also taste great with vodka, gin, tequila, sparkling or red wine, or simply paired with seltzer. You can find Blackberry Lemon Thyme in our Distinctive Collection. Cheers!
Blackberry Bourbon “Smash”
Ingredients:
- 2 Blackberry Lemon Thyme Mixicles® cubes
- 2 oz bourbon
- Lemon twist or wedge for garnish
How to Mix:
Place the Mixicles® cubes in a rocks glass and muddle them a bit. Top with the bourbon and garnish with a lemon twist or wedge.