Italian Spiked Blackberry Lemonade

This is the story of 1/2 of cup of blackberries.

Once upon a time there was a pound of crisp, beautiful, bright, and perky blackberries which I helped relocate from a cold grocery, store to a warm loving home. I remember the day I brought them home as if it were yesterday, it was a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon.

I carefully placed them on the best shelf in the house, right at eye level for everyone to enjoy. Although they enjoyed the peace and quite of their clear plastic container, they anxiously awaited the moment to be *chosen*.

As the days went by the number of chosen blackberries also diminished. Pretty soon the count of chosen blackberries was was at a stand still, leaving no more than 1/2 a cup of blackberries patiently awaiting their special moment.

One Saturday afternoon I noticed their demeanor not as perky any more, their color a bit darker, the signs of age was truly apparent, the loneliness had definitely settled in.

That’s when I decided these oh so patient Blackberries had waited long enough. I put my matchmaker hat on and introduced them to a few neighbors which I felt would have instant chemistry with the blackberries, the lemons and the lemoncello.

Needless to say they were a match made in heaven, and they went on to become the best of friends.

Italian Spiked Blackberry Lemonade

1 cup Gioia Luisa Lemoncello Cream
8 cups Blackberry Lemonade

Pour the lemoncello cream into the pitcher of blackberry lemonade, stir well and serve chilled.

Blackberry Lemonade

makes about 8 cups

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, approx 4 lemons
6 cups water
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup blackberries

Place lemon juice, water, and 1/2 cup of sugar into pitcher stir until sugar dissolves.

In a small bowl muddle the blackberries with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar using a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon until juice has been released.

Pour muddled blackberries into the pitcher. Give it a quick stir, taste and adjust sugar if necessary.

Serve chilled.

Tagged as: blackberry, Gioia Luisa Lemoncello Cream, granulated sugar, Lemon