This quarter’s recipe is inspired by our recent visit to Middleby Residential’s showroom in The Mart while exploring the Design Chicago show.
Among an English-themed spread of beautifully crafted appetizers and appliances, their Bramble Cocktail was a complimentary companion that paired well with the apps and elevated the experience.
The Bramble cocktail combines the crispness of gin with the tartness of fresh lemon juice, balanced by the sweetness of simple syrup and the rich flavor of crème de mûre, a blackberry liqueur. Served over crushed ice and garnished with a slice of lemon and a fresh blackberry, this cocktail is as pretty as it is delicious.
It was crafted by the legendary bartender Dick Bradsell during the 1980s cocktail scene. As the bar manager at the now-closed Fred’s Club in London’s trendy Soho, Bradsell sought to create a drink embodying the essence of British flavors. Drawing inspiration from his childhood on the Isle of Wight, where he spent afternoons picking blackberries and inevitably getting caught by the thorny bushes, he aptly named this drink the Bramble, referencing the very brambles that yielded the fruit.
Bradsell’s intention was to develop a simple and refreshing cocktail. He eschewed the standard practice of using pre-made sour mixes in favor of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
This commitment to quality ingredients would become a hallmark of his cocktails.
Crafting the Perfect Bramble Cocktail
At its core, the Bramble is a variation of a gin sour, adhering to the classic structure of balancing tartness with sweetness. The combination of gin and lemon juice provides a bright, zesty foundation, while the crème de mûre introduces a jammy richness that adds depth without overwhelming the palate.
A traditional Bramble recipe calls for a careful balance of ingredients, typically featuring a bit more gin for an aromatic kick. The goal is to create a harmonious tension between sweet and sour. While crème de mûre is crucial for imparting that signature berry flavor and beautiful hue, moderation is key; a half ounce is usually sufficient to enhance the drink without making it overly sweet.
One ounce of fresh lemon juice brightens the cocktail, adding acidity that counteracts the sugar from the simple syrup and the crème de mûre.
One defining feature of the Bramble is its use of crushed ice. This keeps the drink refreshingly cool and allows for slight dilution as the ice melts, extending the cocktail’s refreshing qualities.
According to Bradsell, this dilution is essential to avoid a syrupy consistency that can detract from the drinking experience.
Bramble Cocktail Ingredients
50ml gin
30ml fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. sugar syrup
1 Tbsp. blackberry liqueur, such as Crème de mûre
Lemon slice and blackberries to garnish
Directions
- Add gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup to an iced cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled.
- Add crushed ice to a small tumbler and pour over the shaken mixture. Lightly pour in the blackberry liqueur so it “bleeds” into the glass.
- Finish with a slice of lemon and a few blackberries for a garnish.
Boozeless Bramble & Alternatives
Mocktail options include replacing gin with soda water and the liqueur with black forest syrup. Intriguing alternatives include the Bramble Royale, the Bourbon Bramble, and the seasonal Winter Bramble.
Don’t miss these cocktails from the archives.
