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Written by: Olivia Bennett
Updated on: 6/3/2025
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What Cocktails Are Best Suited for Raspberries?

raspberry mojito cocktail glass

Raspberries add a vibrant burst of sweet-tart flavor that can transform both classic and modern cocktails. Their delicate acidity, vivid color, and ease of muddling make them ideal for everything from refreshing spritzes to deep, bramble-toned sours. When selecting the best cocktails for raspberries, consider how their tangy notes will complement base spirits and highlight herbs, citrus, or bubbly mixers.

Signature Raspberry-Friendly Cocktails

  • Raspberry Mojito – Fresh raspberries are muddled with mint and lime, then lengthened with white rum and soda for a crisp, fruit-driven twist on the Cuban classic.
  • Raspberry Margarita – Shake raspberries with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice for a vibrant, tangy variation. The berries add both color and a subtle complexity.
  • Raspberry Bellini – Puréed raspberries pair beautifully with sparkling wine or Prosecco. This brunch favorite balances gentle sweetness, acidity, and effervescence.
  • Bramble – Originally made with blackberry liqueur, this London dry gin sour adapts perfectly to fresh raspberry purée or raspberry liqueur, bringing extra brightness.
  • French Martini – Raspberries can substitute or complement the classic black raspberry liqueur (Chambord), giving the vodka-pineapple base a red fruit upgrade.
  • Raspberry Collins – Combine muddled raspberries with lemon juice, gin, and a touch of syrup, topped with soda for a refreshing, berry-forward long drink.

How to Use Raspberries in Cocktails

  • Muddle fresh raspberries with citrus and sugar to create vibrant bases for sours and Collins-style drinks.
  • Prepare raspberry syrup by simmering equal parts raspberries, sugar, and water, then straining out seeds for smoothness.
  • Use raspberry purée for Bellinis and blended cocktails—strain for a more refined texture.
  • Garnish drinks with a skewer of whole raspberries for a striking, aromatic finish.
raspberry bellini in flute glass

Pairing Spirits and Flavors with Raspberries

Raspberries complement a wide range of base spirits, with gin and vodka providing clean canvases, rum adding a tropical note, and tequila giving vibrant edge. Their distinct tartness pairs especially well with:

  • Citrus fruits like lemon and lime
  • Herbs such as mint or basil
  • Liqueurs—elderflower, orange, and berry flavors
  • Sparkling components—Prosecco, Champagne, club soda
bramble cocktail with fresh raspberries

Tips for Balancing Raspberry Flavor

  • Use between 4–6 fresh raspberries per drink for pronounced aroma without excess pulp.
  • Strain muddled or puréed berries through a fine mesh to remove seeds if a smooth texture is important.
  • When using tart raspberries, slightly increase sugar or syrup to maintain balance.
  • Add raspberry syrup to classic cocktails (think Daiquiri, Gimlet, or Tom Collins) for a fast, consistent punch of fruit.