The Bramble cocktail is remembered for its balanced berry taste with hints of juniper in the aftertaste, strength – 20-22% vol. Translated from English bramble – “blackberry”. This is one of the UK’s favorite alcoholic mixes.
Historical information
The Bramble cocktail was invented in 1984 by the London bartender Richard “Dick” Bradsell, who then worked in the city-famous “Fred’s Club”.
The Bramble recipe is based on an ancient untitled cocktail of Dutch gin (genever), raspberry syrup, lemon juice and sugar. This mixture was known for a long time, but was not popular due to the poor balance of sweet and sour parts with a clear preponderance towards sweetness.
Bradsel replaced Dutch gin with Plymouth gin (a variety of London dry), and used blackberry liqueur instead of raspberry syrup. Visitors liked the new cocktail, and thanks to the popularity of the club, the recipe was soon learned in all parts of the UK, and then the world. Bradsel did not bother with the name and come up with a beautiful legend, he just called his new cocktail “The Bramble” – “Blackberry”.
Bramble is now on the IBA Official Cocktail List and in the New Era Drinks category.
Composition and proportions:
- gin (dry London or Plymouth) – 45 ml;
- blackberry liqueur (Chambord or Crème de Moore) – 20 ml;
- lemon juice – 20 ml;
- sugar syrup (equal parts of water and sugar) – 15 ml;
- crushed ice;
- blackberries (can be frozen) – 2 pieces (for decoration);
- a slice of lemon – for decoration.
The original recipe uses Plymouth gin, but it can be replaced without loss of quality with a London dry, such as Gordons or Beefeater. Any liqueur made from blackberries (French drinks are usually called “Creme de Mure”) or raspberry-blackberry Chambord will do.
In the classic version, the cocktail is prepared using the bilde method (mixing in a serving glass). Interestingly, in this case, this is not the best solution, since all the ingredients have very different densities, as a result of which it is difficult to mix them without a shaker. Therefore, many bartenders shake gin, juice and syrup in an ice shaker and pour into a serving glass, then add blackberry liqueur and stir.
Classic Bramble Cocktail Recipe
1. Fill an old fashion glass with crushed ice. Pour in gin, sugar syrup and lemon juice.
2. Mix thoroughly with a cocktail spoon.
3. Add the blackberry liqueur from above using a spiral motion. Stir again.
4. Decorate the finished “Bramble” with blackberries and a slice of lemon. Serve with a straw. You can also leave the cocktail for 2-3 minutes, since dilution with water from melting ice is good for it – the taste becomes softer, and the strength is lower.
