Blackberry Limeade

Directions

1. 1
   Lay a double piece of cheesecloth on a nonporous work surface (as the berries will stain a wide array of cutting surfaces and clothes, this may be best done outside or over newspaper and wearing an apron or smock).
2. 2
   Place the blackberries on top of the cheesecloth and gather into a bundle like a hobo sack.
3. 3
   Hold the sack of berries over a glass, stainless steel, plastic, or ceramic bowl; twist the top of the sack to squeeze the juice from the berries into the receptacle (this will yield about 1 cup very strong, tart, dark juice).
4. 4
   Refrigerate the juice until needed; discard the purple mash.
5. 5
   In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, 1 cup water, the lime leaf, and the cardamom pod; bring to a boil.
6. 6
   Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, or until the mixture is reduced to a thin syrup.
7. 7
   Remove the lime leaf and cardamom.
8. 8
   Allow the sugar syrup to cool and then chill it.
9. 9
   In a 1 quart pitcher, combine the blackberry juice, sugar syrup, and lime juice; stir to combine and then refrigerate until cold.
10. 10
    To serve, stir the ginger ale into the pitcher; fill glasses with ice, and pour in the blackberry limeade.
11. 11
    Garnish with slices of lime and blackberries.