Happy Hour: Summertime Lime, Blackberry, Rum Cooler

Blackberry, rum, lime, pineapple…this cocktail has a nice mix of summer and fall flavors.  It’s the perfect thing to serve at Labor Day gatherings or just make for a night at home.

The first time I made The Little Epicurean’s Blackberry Pineapple Rum Cocktail, I liked all of the elements, but the ratios felt off to me.  If you enjoy the taste of spiced rum, then stick to her original recipe.  If you prefer something lighter, make my amended version below.

Summertime Lime and Blackberry Cooler

1.5 oz of Aged Light Rum (like Cruzan)

0.5 oz of Grand Marnier (those little bottles work perfectly)

0.75 oz of blackberry syrup

0.5 oz of fresh-squeezed lime juice

0.75 oz pineapple juice

To make the blackberry syrup, bring 1 cup of granulated sugar, one small container of fresh blackberries, and 1/2 cup of water to a boil over medium heat.  Break up the blackberries using a muddler or a potato masher.  Strain through a mesh colander after the mixture has cooled.  Keep in a squeeze bottle for later use.

In a cocktail shaker (I prefer glass to metal), mix all of the ingredients together.  Stir, do not shake the cocktail.  If you shake, it will water down your drink.  I like this $8 Williams Sonoma Cocktail Spoon, which is also great for iced tea.

Fill a glass with ice, layering lime slices in as you go.  Each glass should have 3-4 slices.  Then, fill with your cocktail.  Add a garnish of blackberry and pineapple on skewers, if you desire.

For party cocktails, I either like to fill a large dispenser with batches of the mixture for self-serve or mix them up in lidded Mason Jars.  The Mason Jars reduce spillage.  You can also use a chalk marker to write people’s name’s on the lid of their glasses.

For a backyard cocktail party, you can wear whatever you want.  I own this Varya Printed Dress (also in petite) from Anthropologie.  It’s light, breezy, and very comfortable, even in the hottest weather.  It’s the kind of dress that lets you look like a glamorous hostess, but you can still play cornhole or chase people’s children.

As for the fit, I’m a size 4-6, pear shape.  I ordered the size Small, it fits perfectly on the bottom, is a little big on top.  Because it’s a column dress, it’s also possible it could work as a midi-dress on taller ladies.

Other dresses that fall into this backyard glamour category include this midi-kimono with an avian print, this beachy Michael Stars maxi, and this v-neck, jersey kimono.  Plus-size?  Try this NY Collection maxi dress in a bright print.  Tall?  This ASOS double layer cotton maxi is the way to go.