Easy Homemade Créme de Mure Blackberry Liqueur

This Blackberry Liqueur, also known as Creme de Mure,  is so easy to make and so delicious!  Add a fruity richness to your cocktails.  Sweet with loads of blackberry flavor! 

Blackberry Liqueur (creme de mure)

Before you shake your head saying, “Oh boy, here is Pam again with another homemade liqueur,” let me tell you my tale. 

I kept seeing the Bramble cocktail popping up in my cocktail searches.  It was created in 1984 by Dick Bradsell.  It is basically a gin sour with the addition of creme de mure.  

I wanted one. 

So, I began searching the liquor stores in town for the elusive blackberry liqueur.  One of the women at a larger store, pulled up something on her computer and said, rather dramatically, “You won’t find it in this town.” 

Thinking she was a bit of a drama queen, I continued looking.  Turns out she wasn’t dramatic, she was right. 

Then, as fate sometimes does, all the planets aligned and organic blackberries went on sale.  The rest, as they say, is history. 

Ingredients to Make Homemade Blackberry Liqueur

After purchasing the blackberries, I went searching for the details on how to make a blackberry liqueur.  I figured it would be like most liqueurs – you let the fruit steep in vodka, then strain out the fruit and add a simple syrup. 

Some recipes called for vodka only and some called for vodka and brandy.  Some called for using red wine, which would give it a deep color, but I thought it would add too much of it’s own flavor. 

I settled on the version from Epic Guys Bartending on Youtube.   Theirs was very similar to Serious Eats, but used less brandy and included a lime half. 

• Brandy.
• Vodka – use your favorite brand, not too cheap and not high end, right in the middle. 
• Blackberries – organic if possible. 
• Lime – organic if possible since the lime half sits in the liquor for awhile. 
• Simple Syrup (not pictured.)

How to Make Blackberry Liqueur

Step 1 – Place two cups of blackberries into a jar.  Cover with vodka and brandy.  Squeeze in juice from half a lime and drop the lime half into the jar.  Put a lid on the jar and place it in a cool, dark place to steep for 4-5 days.  Shaking it every day if you remember. 

Step 2 – make a simple syrup by combining equal parts water and sugar in a small saucepan.  Stir, over medium heat, just until the sugar dissolves.  Cool to room temperature.  Retrieve your jar of blackberries and liquor from it’s steeping location. 

Step 3 – Strain the infusion through a fine mesh strainer.   You might want to strain it a couple of times and once through a coffee filer if you want a nice clean clear liqueur. 

Step 4 – not pictured.  Combine the simple syrup and the infused vodka/brandy.  This is ready to drink right, now, but it gets even better with age.  

What to do With Your Blackberry Liqueur?

First of all, make the Bramble cocktail!  Then just get creative!  Use it in place of other liqueurs in your cocktail recipes.  Also, it is so good, you could just pour some into a pretty vintage goblet from your grandmother’s china cabinet and sip it. 

I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that it would make an amazing gift for your cocktail loving friends!  Just look at that gorgeous color!  

If you’re wondering why it’s not darker, it has to do with how deep purple the blackberries were.  Mine had a lot of red in them and my liqueur didn’t come out quite so dark. 

As for storing your liqueur, you can choose whether to refrigerate or not.  Some people refrigerate their liqueurs and some store at room temperature.  I personally store mine at room temperature.  We almost always use them up within six months to a year, so we feel fine storing them in our liquor cabinet.  

More Homemade Liqueurs

Limoncello – my most used liqueur – I use it in everything! 

Spiced Pear Liqueur – this one is heaven for straight sipping.

Cranberry Liqueur – another one that makes an amazing gift.  Perfect for festive cocktails.

Winter Solstice Brew – the most popular post on my blog and for a good reason! 

Follow my Infusions Board on Pinterest for even more!