There are times when I stare at my home bar and just can't decide what to concoct. It's easy to get lost in the plethora of delightful booziness that one wishes to imbibe for the evening. Don't take this lightly; it truly is an awful thing to get writers bartenders block. Not necessarily because you can't think of anything new to make, but more so because you're not getting to drink anything.

There are only so many variations on the same themes one can do. I once heard that there is no originality left in the world. Well, while I would like to think that is merely insecure conjecture, it's not too far gone of a theory. I mean, think about it. How many times have you looked in a cocktail book and saw a drink that you thought was your "original" cocktail? Or came up with that oh so clever cocktail name only to see it already on the virtual pages Kindred Cocktails ? At some point, you just start grabbing bottles and start mixing, hoping something that resembles a decent dram comes out.

Not unlike this post. Or this drink for that matter. Cheers.

Jack of All Trades

1.5 oz Applejack

.5 oz Pimm's #1

.25 oz Creme de Violette

.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

.5 oz Ginger Syrup (I used Morris Kitchen)

2 dashes Jerry Thomas Bitters

6 Blackberries, plus more for garnish

Muddle blackberries and ginger syrup in a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients and ice, shake and double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish and be glad it actually turned out to be a delicious tipple.