I discovered Zubrowka vodka at a Polish restaurant where the bartender insisted I try it with mango. The vodka has a bison grass flavour, slightly herbal and vanilla-like, that pairs with tropical fruit better than plain vodka does. This cocktail makes a mango-mint simple syrup first: sugar, water, sliced mango, and fresh mint simmered together for fifteen minutes, then strained and cooled. Two shots of syrup, one shot of Zubrowka, sparkling water, crushed ice, and blackberries on top.
The blackberries are garnish and flavour. They sit in the crushed ice and stain the drink purple as you sip. The mango-mint syrup is golden and fragrant. The sparkling water stretches it into a long, fizzy drink. Pretty damn satisfying to watch the blackberries stain it purple as you pour.
Tips for Making Mango Mint Vodka Cooler
Let the syrup steep for at least fifteen minutes
Sliced mango and fresh mint in the hot sugar water. Off the heat, fifteen minutes minimum. The mango softens and the mint infuses. 
Strain and cool. The syrup keeps in the fridge for up to a week. Make a batch and use it all week.
Use crushed ice, not cubed
Crushed ice chills faster and fills the glass with no gaps. The drink stays cold longer and the blackberries nestle into the ice.
If you do not have a crusher, wrap ice cubes in a towel and hit them with a rolling pin.
Blackberry Mango Vodka Cooler
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 1
Description
Celebrate the vibrant flavors of spring and summer with this refreshing Blackberry Mango Vodka Cooler, featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, fresh mint, and sweet blackberries.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 mango, peeled and sliced
- Fresh mint leaves
- Crushed ice
- 2 shots mango mint simple syrup
- 1 shot Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka
- Sparkling water
- Blackberries for garnish
Instructions
- Make a simple syrup by cooking 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water until the sugar is completely melted.
- Off the heat, add the peeled and sliced mango and fresh mint leaves. Let it sit for 15 minutes or longer.
- Strain the syrup into a pitcher and let it cool.
- Fill a 10-ounce glass with crushed ice.
- Add 2 shots of the mango mint simple syrup and 1 shot of Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka.
- Top off with a little sparkling water.
- Garnish with a couple of blackberries and fresh mint leaves.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Cocktail
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Polish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zubrowka?
A Polish vodka flavoured with bison grass, a wild grass that grows in the Bialowieza Forest. It has a subtle herbal, vanilla flavour. Any plain vodka works as a substitute, but the bison grass flavour is what makes this cocktail distinctive.
Can I make the syrup without mango?
You can use peach, pineapple, or passion fruit instead. The fruit changes the flavour profile. Mango is sweet and tropical. Peach is softer. Pineapple is sharper.
Can I skip the sparkling water?
Yes. Without sparkling water, the drink is a shorter, stronger cocktail. With it, the drink is long and refreshing. Both are good.
Patio season approved!
I mixed a pitcher of this on a Saturday afternoon for a backyard hang, perfect summer cooler that disappeared inside an hour. Thanks!
Cheers to that!