This classic Bramble cocktail is a classic that everyone will enjoy! This fruity gin cocktail is so summery, light and refreshing. It’s a great way to dip your toes into the world of gin if you’re not a big fan.
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About this Bramble Cocktail
This fruity and floral Bramble cocktail is an absolute show-stopper! It’s light and refreshing, yet has the most wonderful blackberry flavor infused throughout the drink. It truly is no wonder why it has stood the test of time and is still so popular.
I go back and forth as to whether my blackberry peach bramble is my favorite, or if this classic Bramble takes first place. Either way, they’re both so tasty and are a wonderful way to enhance the taste of gun.
With just a few ingredients, you can create a summer time cocktail that packs a punch. The tart lemon with sweet blackberries and that dry gin — a match made in heaven!
This fruity creation pairs so well with bacon, fig and goat cheese crostini at all of my summer parties. That combo of creamy goat cheese, salty bacon and a fruity cocktail is *chef’s kiss.* Whatever way you choose to serve it, this Bramble cocktail is going to knock your socks off!
More gin cocktail recipes: Ramos Gin Fizz • Classic Gin and Tonic • Dry Martini
Why you’ll love this recipe
This fun classic has so many qualities that are easy to love:
- It only takes 5 minutes to shake up this fruity and floral Bramble! A great drink for parties.
- This drink is extra refreshing on a hot summer day. I’m all for cold cocktails that have loads of fruit flavor.
- My favorite thing about the Bramble is that it isn’t heavy. Even with the rich blackberry liqueur, it’s light and sweet!
History of the Bramble cocktail
This classic cocktail was created in the 1980s by British bartender Dick Bradsell. The drink gets its name from the bramble bushes on which blackberries grow. Bradsell created this cocktail while working at Fred’s Club in SoHo. It’s a beautifully balanced fruity cocktail that is perfect for the spring and summer time!
Tools & glassware
For this recipe, you’ll need a cocktail shaker and jigger. You will also need a rock glass to serve it in! If you want, use some cocktail skewers to hold your lemon slice and blackberry garnish.
Ingredients
If you’ve got these ingredients on hand, then you’re ready to make a Bramble cocktail:
- gin
- lemon juice
- simple syrup
- crème de mure
- lemon slice, for garnish
- blackberry, for garnish
Garnishes
I like to use fresh lemon slices and blackberries for garnishes. However, candied lemon slices and dehydrated lemon slices are wonderful finishing touches.
Berry ice cubes would be a wonderful way to keep this drink cold and have a pretty garnish! Fresh herbs like basil and mint would be a great garnish too.
Best gin
I used Hendrick’s Gin because I like its floral flavor. But you could use any type of London Dry Gin, Plymouth Gin or anything else you have on hand. If you need help finding a good brand, then check out my gin 101 post as a simple guide.
Vodka is a good substitute if you’re not a gin fan. You can also try this with bourbon, rum or tequila.
Crème de mûre liqueur
Crème de mûre is a blackberry liqueur. Like crème de cacao and crème de menthe, the “crème” here refers to the luxurious quality — there’s no dairy here.
If you don’t have crème de mûre, you can also use crème de cassis, which is blackcurrant liqueur, or Chambord raspberry liqueur.
In a pinch, you can also use a flavored simple syrup like blackberry simple syrup. You can easily change up the flavor with different simple syrups too! Blueberry simple syrup and raspberry syrup would be great.
Substitutions & variations
Change the liquor: You can change the spirit in this cocktail if you want! Make a bourbon Bramble or vodka Bramble. Rum would also be tasty. Crème de mûre is a blackberry liqueur, but you can easily substitute it with crème de cassis (blackcurrant) or Chambord (raspberry).
Play with flavor: Use lime juice or grapefruit juice in place of the lemon juice for a fun flavor twist.
Non-alcoholic Bramble: It’s easy to make a non-alcoholic version. Use a non-alcoholic spirit like Seedlip Garden 108 instead of gin. Instead of crème de mure, you can use homemade blackberry simple syrup or blackberry shrub.
Frozen Bramble: Blend these ingredients with some crushed ice to create a frozen bramble cocktail.
Bubbly Bramble: Want a bubbly version of this refreshing cocktail? Then add a splash of club soda, tonic water or sparkling wine to the drink.
Instructions
Ready to make the best classic bramble? Then follow these simple steps:
Add gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well until combined and chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Top with crème de mûre — it will sink to the bottom of the drink to create the gradient look.
Garnish with a lemon slice and a blackberry and serve immediately!
Tips & tricks
Follow these simple tricks to ensure the best quality of your Bramble:
- Always use fresh squeezed lemon juice and strain out the pulp so that you cocktail is smooth and has the best of the best flavor!
- Crushed ice is best in this cocktail. It will evenly chill the drink better than cubed ice would.
- Feel free to give this drink a taste test before serving and ensure the flavor combo is to your preferences. You can always add a splash more simple syrup to make it sweeter or a bit of extra lemon if it’s too sweet.
Food pairings
Serve up this summery cocktail with some dishes that highlight summer produce.
Appetizers: Serve a Bramble with fun appetizers like caprese skewers or some crostini with blackberry jam. This is so tasty with a fruity baked brie too. That creamy and fruity combo is to die for!
Main dish: The bright flavors of the Bramble go with lots of savory dishes. Try a grilled chicken salad with a tangy dressing or seafood like popcorn shrimp. These blackberry bacon grilled cheese sandwiches would be clutch too.
Dessert: Anything with berries or lemon would be great, from berry cobbler to lemon bars. Try these gorgeous, purple blackberry cupcakes or a hefty slice of blackberry cake with cream cheese frosting.
FAQ
A Bramble cocktail consists of lemon juice, gin, simple syrup and crème de mure — a blackberry liqueur. There are many different flavor variations you can create, but this is the basic structure!
It is recommended to make this cocktail just before serving. Since you’ll serve it over ice, this will ensure melted ice doesn’t water down the flavor. You can, however, create the base of gin, lime juice and simple syrup.
More gin cocktails
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Bramble Cocktail
ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ½ ounce crème de mure
- 1 slice lemon for garnish
- 1 blackberry for garnish
instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, add gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Shake well.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Top with crème de mure: It will sink to the bottom of the drink to create the gradient look.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and a blackberry.
notes
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