Kicking off the Thursday Thursday series with this refreshing spring cocktail recipe! It's always exciting when new projects come into fruition, especially when it's an opportunity to work with my better half.  Christian and I have worked on multiple concepts over the past few months and this is the first of the cocktail series.  As much as we love going out for drinks on a weeknight, we also enjoy entertaining at home, so to learn more about mixology and refine the basic skills, this series will consist of simple recipes, fresh ingredients, and just some fun experimenting in our haphazard kitchen.

We partnered with Kaufmann Mercantile -- a favorite decor brand of mine -- to showcase some of our favorite barware tools while putting together this delicious spring/summer cocktail mix.

--

Black and Blue Julep serves 2

2 ounces gin

1 ounce Tawny port

1 barspoon of granulated sugar

5 Sprigs of mint

1/2 cup blackberries

1/2 cup blueberries

In cocktail shaker, muddle 1/4 cup each of blackberries and blueberries, sugar, 4 mint sprigs.  Add spirits and shake.  Strain into a chilled julep cup with crushed ice.  Top with more curshed ice, and garnish with leftover berries and mint sprig.

Tools: High-carbon steel bar knife Cutting Board Muddler Boston shaker Foxhead measuring jigger Strainer 2 Pewter Mint Julep Cups