Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Leah Hall
A blackberry and tangerine ice ball makes this fabulous vodka tonic special!
As the weather has started to get warmer, our tastes in cocktails have trended towards lighter spirits like gin and vodka. We also love the spring berries that have come into season. They are perfect for lending some wonderful color and flavor to cocktails.
Vodka Tonic
With a warm weekend coming up, we wanted a cocktail that would be perfect for sipping on the patio. We also had friends over while watching our kids roam around our backyard! Our next cocktail, the Blackberry and Tangerine Vodka Tonic, is a perfect drink for enjoying a lazy weekend!
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The classic vodka and tonic is really one of the most simple cocktails you can make, really just vodka and a splash of tonic water over ice. Some folks add a squeeze of either lemon or lime to add a bit of tartness and a splash of color in an other wise plain looking cocktail. A clean simple cocktail, the vodka tonic is a refreshing blend of complex tonic and bright citrus and is perfect for sipping on a warm day.
What Classic Cocktail To Base This On?
Of course as cocktail bloggers, we look at a simple cocktail like this as a great foundation. We can then build off of it to make something new. By adding a little fresh fruit, a syrup or even bitters, you can take a simple cocktail and change its characteristics completely!
We recently used this idea on the vodka tonic’s more complex cousin the gin and tonic. We made a great spring sipper, the Strawberry Limeade Gin and Tonic which is one of our favorite drinks!
A few weeks ago we had used some tangerines to make a great tequila cocktail! (It’s exclusive on Instagram, which if you aren’t following us on Instagram you are missing out on a lot!) Then we fell in love with the fresh sweet citrus that is unique to the tangerine. Different than an orange, and sweeter than a lemon or lime, the tangerine works really well to add a brightness to our Blackberry and Tangerine Vodka Tonic.
What Flavors To Combine?
One great combination of flavors is fresh berry and citrus. Of course we had a nice set of fresh spring blackberries in our fridge. We thought would be perfect to add some nice flavor to a vodka tonic, too. We initially thought we could just throw some blackberries in with the tangerine and vodka tonic, but we felt the blackberry flavor wasn’t bold enough.
Then we wanted to find a way to get more blackberry flavor into the drink. We definitely didn’t want to muddle the blackberries because that tends to release the seeds of the blackberry which makes the drink feel less elegant.
If You are Looking for More Vodka Cocktails, Try These!
- Concord Grape Moscow Mule
- Latte Martini and Blueberry Pie Cocktail
- Adult Purple Cow
- Rosemary Grapefruit Moscow Mule
- Salted Bourbon Butterscotch White Russian
- Galaxy Moscow Mule
- Chai Toasted Cream White Russian
- Spicy Bloody Mary
- Polyjuice Potion
- Rhubasil
Jay and I recently had a night out a a local cocktail bar where they served a drink that used an infused ice cube to add flavor to the drink. This concept was really cool because as the ice cube melted, the flavor and appearance changed as more flavor was added into the cocktail.
We decided to try this technique by making a blackberry syrup infused ice ball!
What Ingredients are Needed for the Blackberry Tangerine Vodka Tonic?
- Blackberry Ice Ball
- Water
- Sugar
- Blackberries
- Blackberry Tangerine Vodka Tonic
- Blackberry Ice Cube
- Tangerine
- Tonic Water
- Vodka
The syrup ice ball solution solved the seed problem and added a big bold flavor of blackberry as the ice ball melted! A big bonus was it also looked really cool! (You might notice the color of the cocktail changes in the pictures as more of the blackberry syrup mixes into the drink!)
Stemless Wineglasses / Muddler
The pairing of blackberry and tangerine is a nice combination. The sweet tangerine helping enhance the berry flavor while also bringing a great citrus aroma. Clean, cool and crisp, plus really cool looking, the Blackberry and Tangerine Vodka Tonic is going to go in our spring and summer drink rotation!
Cheers!
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Like this recipe? Try these below, too!
Lavender Lemon Gin & Tonic Granita Cocktail
Other Vodka Tonic Cocktails
- Blackberry Vodka Tonics – Life as a Strawberry
- Grapefruit Vodka Tonics – Eating by Elaine
Blackberry and Tangerine Vodka Tonic
A fruity and berry version of the classic vodka tonic. A fun fruit filled ice ball!
Ingredients
Blackberry and Tangerine Vodka Tonic
- 2 ounces vodka
- 4-6 ounces tonic
- 1 blackberry syrup infused ice cube
- 3 tangerine slices
Blackberry Syrup Ice Ball
- water as required
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 6-8 blackberries
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
For the Blackberry and Tangerine Vodka Tonic
Add vodka, tangerine slices and ice ball to a glass.
Top with tonic.
Garnish with a tangerine slice.
For the Blackberry Syrup Ice Ball
Place sugar, blackberries and water into a small pan.
Bring to a boil and allow the berries to "pop" and release the juice.
Cool and strain.
Add syrup into ice cube trays or molds and top with water.
Freeze.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 15mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
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Sophia
Thursday 24th of May 2018
This drink looks fabulous! I can't wait to try making it. I just have one question. For the blackberry syrup, you've listed the ingredients as 1Tbsp sugar, blackberries, and then 1/3 cup sugar. Am I wrong to assume you meant 1/3 cup water? Or is it really sugar? Thanks for the clarification!!
The 'Noms.
Tuesday 29th of May 2018
Sophia, Yes, it's water. We apparently just really wanted sugar, haha! Thanks for noticing that typo. Hope you try it out!
Amanda {Striped Spatula}
Sunday 23rd of April 2017
Love the refreshing flavors in this cocktail am completely crushing on that Blackberry syrup infused ice cube! What a fun idea to serve to guests this summer. A delicious cocktail, and a great conversation starter!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie
Monday 17th of April 2017
I usually don't drink gin, but I think this drink could totally make me a believer- it sounds so delicious and looks really pretty too! Perfect for summer!
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes
Friday 14th of April 2017
This is BRILLIANT! What an amazing idea! (Also it gives me a chance to use my Death Star ice balls lololol)
The 'Noms.
Sunday 16th of April 2017
Thanks so much! And I am totally digging the death star ice balls, LOL!
gingeredwhisk
Friday 14th of April 2017
Oh, wow! Your drinks always look amazing! I am totally loving this and can't wait to make it!
The 'Noms.
Sunday 16th of April 2017
Thanks so much! Hope you try it out!