Back Porch Blackberry Kir Royale | A tasty cocktail with Sugarlands Moonshine

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This Back Porch Blackberry Kir Royale recipe post is sponsored by Babbleboxx on behalf of Sugarlands Distilling Company.

A few years ago, I tried moonshine for the first time. It wasn’t the stuff I’ve heard stories of where it “puts hair on your chest” but nicely flavored and really enjoyable. In fact, moonshine makes a great drink mixer! Having been sent a blackberry and pina colada moonshine, I knew I was going to have to make something good.

When I stumbled upon a Kir Royale with the help of a friend, that sealed the deal and we came up with a back porch blackberry kir royale because where else would you drink a moonshine drink?

About the moonshine

Before I get to the drink, we have to talk about the moonshine, right? Because, it’s moonshine! And they ship! This moonshine is from Sugarlands Distilling Company which is located in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains. Their distillery is both fully functioning as well as an entertainment venue. Should you visit the Sugarlands Distilling Company, you would be able to not only sample their award-winning spirits, but also take a behind-the-scenes tours of the still house and even enjoy live regional music on the Spirit Stage.

With moonshine flavors like pina colada, apple pie, blackberry, cinnamon and more, you are sure to find one that you will enjoy. I’m going to focus on the Pina Colada and the Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine that I used in my Back Porch Blackberry Kir Royale.

Pina Colada Moonshine

The Pina Colada is all of the beachy goodness you would expect with that name; you’ll feel like you are sitting with your toes in the sand. It’s definitely more of a coconut then pineapple flavor to me. But it does combine the taste of fresh pineapple and coconut milk. Like all moonshines, it can be enjoyed over ice or blended up with other goodness. This flavor is smooth, crisp and sweet. Use caution, because it’s 70 proof, so a little goes a long way.

Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine

In the Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine you will find the natural flavors of ripe berries blended with the floral fragrances of honeysuckle and lavender. This blend of moonshine has a velvety mouthfeel with a nectarous finish. It mixes well with your favorite citrus flavor or even peach for a sweet and refreshing cocktail. The blackberry moonshine is complemented nicely with your favorite port wine cheese or in champagne (see my Kir Royale recipe below!)

Drink Suggestions

German Chocolate Cake Shooter: 1 oz Hazelnut Rum,1 oz Pina Colada Moonshine. Combine in a shaker tin with ice, shake vigorously and strain into a shot glass.

Coconut Bellini: 2 oz Pina Colada Moonshine, 2oz of prosecco / sparking wine. Muddle a handful of berries with chilled moonshine and top with prosecco.

The coconut bellini was the second drink we tried using blueberries and it was a big hit. We found we liked the moonshine chilled or really cold as opposed to room temperature.

Blackberry Sunset: 3oz Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine, 3oz pineapple juice, 2oz club soda, 1 blackberry, 1 pineapple slice, dash cayenne pepper. Build ingredients over ice. Add garnish of pineapple slice and blackberry. Top with a dash of cayenne pepper.

Recipe for blackberry puree

Step one in making my blackberry Kir Royale was making a blackberry puree. You’ll need 1/3 cup blackberries, 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup sugar, squeeze of lemon. You could also do the same with a strawberry cordial-type syrup.

You’ll add to everything to a pot on simmer and bring it to a boil for about 4 minutes. Then you will allow it to cool. To make it smoother, I poured the mixture into a blender and pulsed until smooth. Then it went through a fine mesh strainer to remove all of the seeds. I let this sit in the fridge a few hours to cool and then become cold.

Making the back porch blackberry Kir Royale

You’ll need to gather all of your ingredients: blackberry puree, Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine, blackberries and prosecco (or you can use champagne/sparkling wine). It’s a quick and easy drink to make, but note it’s best enjoyed when all of the ingredients are very cold to start.

First I poured approximately 1 Tablespoon of my newly made blackberry puree into each of the glasses. As hard as you try, it’s likely you might get a little on the glass as you put the spoon in. Just be okay with it and worry about the final product because that’s all that matters and it will taste delicious!

Top with 1-2 ounces of Blockader’s Blackberry Moonshine. We just eyeballed it here. You can’t go wrong really! You can also see that the puree and moonshine will layer nicely.

Top the glass off with prosecco (or sparking wine or champagne) or if you want a drink with a smaller punch, use sparkling water for more of a Kir Royale spritzer. Watch those bubbles as they like to overflow the glasses quickly.

Garnish each glass with a blackberry and you are ready to enjoy it.

And, a Back Porch Blackberry Kir Royale is even more enjoyable with friends, so grab a friend, clink your glasses and say cheers!

Here’s to your next tasty back porch Kir Royale drink!