Blackberry Bourbon Lemonade

Is Summer over?
I can't tell...  it supposed to be nice this weekend, maybe we will have a nice September after all.  If you look REALLY hard you might still find a couple of blackberries on the vine.
I know, I know...most of them are gone. Dead, and shriveled up.
Happily I noticed a small patch with some berries still going strong.
I'd suggest picking 2-3 cups and making some Blackberry simple syrup.  That way your can make this awesome lemonade for the weekend, plus a Blackberry Raindrop Martini later on.
I am just NOT done, I am holding on strong to everything that make me believe Summer is still on.

If your stand-by berry patches are all done, You could still make this with frozen berries.

Makes 1
Ingredients

2 oz bourbon
1 oz blackberry simple syrup (below)
5-6 oz (1/2 can) of lemon Pellegrino, or reg lemonade
A couple of fresh blackberries (optional)
Crushed Ice

Add ice to glasses & throw in a couple of whole berries (if you have them), add the blackberry syrup, the bourbon and the Pellegrino Lemon to the top.  Serve at once and enjoy the last rays of Summer Sunshine.

Blackberry Simple Syrup
Makes enough syrup for about 8-10 drinks.
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 cups blackberries
1 lemon, juice and zest

Wash the berries.
 

In a small sauce pan, heat the water, sugar, blackberries, lemon juice and lemon peel to a boil.  Turn down the heat and simmer until the berries break down and the mixture starts to thicken, about 15 minutes.  Strain the mixture through a sieve and discard the berry puree and the lemon peel.  Pour into a bottle and keep in the fridge.