Recipe

A Carnival Cocktail Fit for a King

This bold blend of bourbon and blackberry hails from the birthplace of brunch

Red juice strains into a cocktail glass

Photo: Sam Hanna


Nestled on Decatur Street in the heart of New Orleans is Tujague’s, the second oldest restaurant in the Crescent City—and the first to serve a “butcher’s breakfast,” or what we now know as brunch. A French Quarter staple since 1856, this Creole establishment is also famed for its vibrant green Grasshopper cocktail. And now, with Mardi Gras madness rapidly coming around the corner of Canal Street, the bar has crafted an equally colorful concoction. Aptly named the King’s Cup, this royal purple libation is here to kick off your carnival celebration.

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Created by assistant manager Brett Moore and made with bourbon lovers in mind, this playful spin on a gin bramble is a crimson-hued blend of bourbon, blackberry liqueur, and lemon juice. “It’s got a fresh and sweet flavor from the blackberries, a tart and tangy taste with the lemon, and the smooth and comforting warmth of bourbon,” Moore says. It’s a flavor profile suitable for any weather—the bourbon is a cozy blanket if it’s chilly, while the fruit brings a tart twist for sunnier days. So you can let the good times roll no matter where you are.


Ingredients

  • King’s Cup (yield: 1 cocktail)

  • For the blackberry syrup (yield: 6 oz.)

    • 1 cup fresh blackberries

    • ½ cup sugar

    • ½ cup water

  • For the cocktail

    • 2 oz. bourbon

    • 1 oz. blackberry syrup

    • ½ oz. Giffard blackberry liqueur

    • ½ oz. lemon juice

    • Lemon peel for garnish

    • Lime peel for garnish

    • Blueberry for garnish


Preparation

  1. Make the blackberry syrup: Add water and sugar to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the blackberries. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sugar has completely dissolved (about 10 minutes). Let cool and then strain. Can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

  2. Mix the drink: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously (without ice) for about 12 to 15 seconds. Serve over ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a lemon peel, lime peel, and blackberry on a skewer.


Madeline Murphy, a 2025 intern at Garden & Gun, is a native of Singer Island, Florida, and graduated from the University of Florida.


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