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The Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar is a fruity take on the classic Sidecar Cocktail.
One evening at a bar with my husband, I stumbled upon this cocktail and instantly fell in love. The combination of smooth bourbon, fresh blackberries, and citrusy notes was too good not to recreate at home.
And of course, in true Queen Bee Mixology fashion, I had to perfect this one and share it with you!
With just four simple ingredients, this cocktail is easy to mix yet packed with complexity and depth, making it a standout addition to any cocktail menu.
As the name suggests, bourbon is the star of this cocktail. While the original Sidecar traditionally calls for cognac, this variation swaps in bourbon for a smoother, slightly sweeter depth that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.
Bourbon’s warm caramel and vanilla notes enhance the natural sweetness of the blackberries, which bring a subtle tartness and an almost wine-like complexity to the drink. Rather than using blackberry liqueur or syrup, I prefer to muddle fresh blackberries directly in the shaker.
To balance the richness, lemon juice is added for a bright, citrusy contrast. Fresh citrus is an essential component in so many cocktails, and in this case, it helps cut through the warm, smoky notes of bourbon, creating a perfectly balanced sip.
The final element that ties everything together is Cointreau, a premium orange liqueur known for its smooth yet bold flavor. Made from both sweet and bitter orange peels, it adds a layer of citrus complexity that rounds out the drink beautifully.
If you prefer Triple Sec, feel free to make that swap—but I love how Cointreau elevates the overall flavor.
Step 1: Drop a few fresh blackberries into a cocktail shaker and start to muddle together.
This releases their natural juices and bold flavor, while also giving the cocktail its stunning deep magenta hue.
Step 2: Pour in the remaining ingredients and top the mixture with ice. Shake until chilled.
Step 3: Double strain the mixture into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Step 4: Garnish with a skewer of blackberries and a thyme sprig.
The Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar is everything I love in a cocktail—bold, smooth, and bursting with fresh flavor. Whether you’re a bourbon lover or just looking for a fruit-forward twist on a classic, this is a cocktail worth trying.
Best of all, it’s made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients, so you can shake one up whenever the craving strikes. Give this one a try, and I promise—you’ll be hooked from the first sip.
Post your creation on Instagram and tag #queenbeemixology or @queenbeemixology!
