The Amberfell After Midnight
A blackberry, blood orange and rosemary cocktail with tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime - made for candlelit autumn evenings after dark.
a blackberry, blood orange & rosemary cocktail for autumn evenings after dark
Candlelight · rain at the windows · something witchy on screen · nowhere else to be
A note from Essy: Best made after dark, with the kitchen lights low and something witchy already queued.
Ingredients
- 45 ml tequila blanco
- 20 ml Cointreau
- 25 ml freshly squeezed lime juice
- 15 ml fresh blood orange juice
- 15 ml blackberry-rosemary syrup (see below)
- Ice
- 2 fresh blackberries, to garnish
- 1 small sprig fresh rosemary, to garnish
- Optional: a tiny pinch of sea salt
Method
- Chill the serving glass.
- Fill a cocktail shaker generously with ice.
- Add the tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, blood orange juice and blackberry-rosemary syrup.
- Add the optional tiny pinch of sea salt.
- Shake firmly for approximately 12-15 seconds, until thoroughly chilled.
- Double strain into the chilled glass.
- Garnish simply with two blackberries and a small sprig of rosemary.
It looks dramatic. It is surprisingly simple to make. And despite the name, midnight is entirely optional.
- Keep:Store the blackberry-rosemary syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- ♡ Lightly clap the rosemary sprig between your hands before garnishing - it releases the aroma right where you smell the drink first.
- ♡ The syrup: rosemary becomes dominant quickly, so do not extend the 10-minute infusion much past that, or it will overpower the blackberry.
- ♡ No salt rim on this one - the tiny pinch of sea salt goes into the shaker instead, not around the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make the blackberry-rosemary syrup?
Add 125g blackberries (fresh or frozen), 100g fine granulated sugar and 100ml water to a small saucepan. Lightly crush the berries, then bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add 2 small sprigs of fresh rosemary and a thin strip of orange peel, and leave to infuse for 10 minutes - don't go much longer, as the rosemary becomes dominant quickly. Fine-strain and cool completely before using.
Is there a non-alcoholic version?
Yes - The Amberfell After Midnight, Zero Proof. It is the alcohol-free interpretation of the same flavour world, not a version that tastes identical to the cocktail. Shake 30ml blackberry-rosemary syrup with 25ml fresh lime juice and 30ml blood orange juice briefly over ice, then strain over fresh ice and top with 60ml ginger beer and 30ml sparkling water. Finish with the same blackberry and rosemary garnish.
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Written by Esther
Esther is a photographer and storyteller, and the founder of Essy's Essentials - a seasonal home for stories, rituals, recipes and everyday luxuries.
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