Happy Hour - Blackberry Mint Lemonade

Found this drink recipe online that was the perfect garnet shade and sounds like it tastes delicious. This is a kid friendly recipe as is...or, if you think it needs a Cock-tail kick, add a splash of vodka. You could also replace the one to two cups (don't over do it!) of lemonade in the recipe with Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka Lemonade flavor. This would be the perfect beverage for a Gamecocks Baseball game tailgate. *Don't forget to drink responsibly...

Blackberry Mint Lemonade
Serving size: 8

Ingredients
3 cups water
1 cup sugar
18 mint leaves, torn
2 cups frozen/fresh blackberries
Ice
3 mint sprigs
4 cups natural store-bought lemonade
Mint sprigs

Directions:

• Bring the water and sugar to boil in a small pot. Stir the water/sugar mixture until the sugar is dissolved then turn off the heat. Add the torn mint leave and give the pot a stir. Allow the simple syrup to cool.
• Add the blackberries to a blender. Place a strainer over the mouth of the blender and pour the mint simple syrup into the container. Discard the mint leaves. Blend the simple syrup and the blackberries on low speed for just a few seconds at a time, just enough to break the berries apart but not enough to puree them.
• Fill a juice pitcher halfway with ice and add the mint sprigs. Pour the lemonade and the blackberry mixture over the ice. Stir the blackberry mint lemonade and add more ice if necessary before serving.

Recipe source: savorysweetlife.com