Thursday 17 April 2014

Blackberry Syrup Milkshake

  










I grew up with two older brothers and two younger sisters. On summer holidays, we would walk to the local swimming pool and spend our afternoons there. We spent hours in the sun, jumping off the big diving board, bombing each other and lying in the sun. My oldest brother Mark, was given some money so that we could all buy a treat from the cafe. While Mark would always choose a Choc Wedge, my other brother Geoff would get a soft drink and my two little sisters Susan and Liza would get icypoles, I would inevitably get a Pink Drink. I don't know what was in the Pink Drink, probably commercial syrup filled with artificial colours and flavours, but it was heaven to me. It was always served up icy cold and in a great big red and white striped paper cup with a thick red straw standing up in the centre of it. This is my version of the Pink Drink. When I drink it, I could be 12 years old again.




Blackberry Syrup Milkshake

Makes 1

For the Blackberry Syrup:
250g blackberries (fresh or frozen)
Juice and finely grated zest of an orange
Juice and finely grated zest of a lemon
1/3 cup caster sugar

For the Milkshake:
1 scoop vanilla ice cream (or two *wink*)
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons blackberry syrup (or more if you prefer)
Whipped cream for serving
Extra blackberry syrup for drizzling

Make the Blackberry Syrup:
Put all the ingredients into a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a lively simmer and cook until the blackberries have softened and the liquid becomes syrupy and coats the back of a spoon, about 6 - 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Once cool, pour it into a blender and blitz until it becomes a puree. Push it through a sieve to get rid of the seeds and skins and then pop the syrup into the fridge to cool.

Make the Milkshake:
Put all the ingredients except the whipped cream and extra syrup into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a large glass, top with whipped cream and drizzle with extra syrup.

15 comments:

  1. This is dreamy.... but more than that the nostalgia is wonderful and the photos are simply gorgeous. I am so loving your blog.

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  2. What a gorgeous looking milkshake, love recipes with stories behind them, very sweet.

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  3. I always love your stories, you have a way to talk about it, it's incredible. & love your milkshake, yummy!

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    1. Thanks so much Gabrielle. You leave the nicest comments.

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  4. I can't wait for the blackberries to ripen so I can make this! I'm on the West Coast and they grow like weeds.

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    1. Thanks Jessica. Blackberries are considered a noxious weed here. We still forage for them. I find it hard to believe anything that looks so pretty and tastes so good can be bad, even though I know they tend to strangle the native flora.

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  5. This is heaven in a glass. Love the fact that you made a fresh fruit syrup... creamy, sweet, icy cold deliciousness. I need to find me some blackberries...

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    1. This was made with the last of the summer blackberries, boo hoo. Fresh fruit syrups are the only way to go. That and dulce de leche.

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