I really enjoy mixing drinks that manage to feel both simple and a little bit special. This Earl Grey Blackberry Bourbon Cocktail? It totally hits that sweet spot. The way the tea, fruit, and bourbon come together just works—smooth, balanced, and honestly, pretty easy to sip year-round.
Let’s dive into how you can whip up a drink that wraps the warmth of bourbon around the bright zing of blackberries, all with that subtle Earl Grey aroma floating in.
You don’t need any fancy bar gadgets or hard-to-find ingredients for this one. I usually just grab a few basics from the kitchen, and with a little patience, it all comes together. The steps aren’t complicated, but the end result feels like something you’d order at a cozy cocktail bar.
I’ll share some tasting notes, too, since each ingredient really brings something to the table. Once you try it, you’ll notice how the tea and fruit lift the bourbon—without taking over.
Earl Grey Blackberry Bourbon Cocktail Recipe
What I love most is how this cocktail lets the bourbon’s smoothness play with Earl Grey’s floral notes and the blackberries’ sweet-tart punch. You don’t need much: just some everyday tools, a few good ingredients, and a bit of care. It all comes together in a drink that’s balanced, not fussy.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker – this mixes everything evenly and chills the drink fast.
- Fine mesh strainer – keeps those pesky blackberry seeds and tea bits out.
- Muddler – you’ll need it to crush the berries and get all that juice.
- Measuring jigger – makes sure you pour just the right amount of bourbon and syrup.
- Small saucepan – for brewing the tea and making syrup if you need to.
- Bar spoon – handy for gentle stirring.
- Rocks glass – perfect for serving over ice.
I swear, fresh tools and clean glassware make a difference. If you chill your glass first, the cocktail stays crisp longer—worth the tiny bit of extra effort.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon – I go for something with a little spice and caramel.
- 1 oz Earl Grey tea – brew it strong and let it cool.
- ½ oz simple syrup – sweeten to your taste.
- 4-5 fresh blackberries – ripe ones pop with color and flavor.
- ½ oz lemon juice – brings a bit of brightness.
- Ice cubes – for shaking and serving.
- Optional garnish: lemon twist or extra blackberry.
Loose-leaf tea gives a richer flavor, but honestly, a good tea bag works if that’s all you’ve got. And fresh lemon juice? Always better than the bottled stuff.
Instructions
- Brew your Earl Grey tea and let it cool down.
- In a shaker, muddle the blackberries with simple syrup until they’re juicy.
- Add bourbon, tea, and lemon juice to the shaker.
- Toss in some ice and shake for about 15 seconds so it gets nice and cold.
- Strain through a fine mesh into a rocks glass with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a blackberry or a twist of lemon peel.
I usually sneak a quick taste before serving—sometimes it needs a touch more syrup or lemon. You want that sweet, tart, and smoky thing in balance.
Notes
This cocktail really shines when the tea is brewed strong, but not so much that it turns bitter. Weak tea just makes the whole thing fall flat.
If you’re after something lighter, cut back on the bourbon and splash in a bit of sparkling water. Want a bolder flavor? Try a smoked or spiced bourbon.
Fresh blackberries make the color pop, but you can use thawed frozen ones in a pinch. For the syrup, I just simmer equal parts sugar and water until it’s clear—nothing fancy.
Equipment
- Measuring jigger
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz Earl Grey tea brewed strong and cooled
- 0.5 oz simple syrup adjust to taste
- 4-5 fresh blackberries
- 0.5 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ice cubes for shaking and serving
- 1 lemon twist or extra blackberry optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Brew strong Earl Grey tea and let it cool.
- In a shaker, muddle the blackberries with the simple syrup until juicy.
- Add bourbon, cooled Earl Grey tea, and lemon juice.
- Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or an extra blackberry and serve.
Notes
Must Have Ingredients
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Collins Candied Fruit Orange Peel Twist in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Collins Strawberries in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Collins Candied Ginger in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Peninsula Premium Cocktail Cherries For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Premium Lychees in Syrup For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Oranfit Dried Lime Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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LAVA Premium Cocktail Rimmers Variety Pack | Buy On Amazon |
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Pure Cane Simple Syrup Cocktail Mixer | Buy On Amazon |
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Q GINGER BEER with Real Ginger & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
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Q Mixers Premium Ginger Ale | Buy On Amazon |
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Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC WATER with Real Quinine & Organic Agave | Buy On Amazon |
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Q Club soda with Himalayan Salt | Buy On Amazon |
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WithCo Cucumber Gimlet Craft Cocktail Mixer with Mint | Buy On Amazon |
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Strongwater Old Fashioned Mix- Handcrafted Old Fashioned Syrup with Bitters, Orange, Cherry, Organic Demerara Sugar | Buy On Amazon |
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Bittermilk No.1 Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Fashioned Mix | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Lavender Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Vanilla Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Original Bloody Mary Mix | Buy On Amazon |
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Fever Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit | Buy On Amazon |
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Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
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1 Pack 3 Tier Bar Glass Rimmer | Buy On Amazon |
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Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
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Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Tasting Notes
When I take that first sip, there’s this smooth mix of black tea and bourbon right up front. The Earl Grey brings in a light floral note, a touch of bergamot peeking through, and it somehow balances the drink’s warmth just right.
Then, the blackberry flavor kicks in with some gentle sweetness and a little tartness. It keeps everything from getting too heavy or overwhelming.
I pick up a soft layer of vanilla and oak from the bourbon. Somehow, it blends with the fruit and tea, and each sip finishes off calm and steady—almost soothing.
If you pour it over ice, the flavors really open up. The cold brings out more of the citrus in the tea and that sweet berry note.
Aromas I notice:
- Citrus and bergamot from the tea
- Ripe blackberries
- Light caramel and oak from the bourbon
Everything stays in balance, and honestly, no single flavor tries to steal the show. The drink feels rich, but it’s still the kind of thing you want to sip slowly.


























