Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
The Gin and Tonic is a quintessential gin based cocktail but sometimes people forget to go beyond it. Try this Blackberry Bramble Cocktail; it’s a year round favorite and will change your mind!
It’s August and just when I’m ready for this Blackberry Bramble Cocktail, I’ve started to notice the entry of pumpkin items into the blogosphere.
I’m reminded of a video of a mom (below) who had just dropped her child off for his first day of kindergarten and how she lamented, ‘No, he’s not ready!’ That would be me. I’m not ready! I know, I know, I start this lament every year but I blog more on a ‘this is my life’ program as opposed to ‘this is what will be popular next month’ rhythm. I won’t get rich from it but it’s really real!
I will whine just as loudly and fight tooth and nail to hang on to summer for as long as I can. Our Spring starts late with snow potential until the middle of May so we lose a month of warmer weather the rest of the country gets.
Do not be trying to take this last hurrah of summer from me too! So I offer to you this beautiful summer cocktail made (although we love it in winter too; it’s beautiful at Christmastime) with one of my favorite fruits of the season.
The Bramble cocktail is a gin-based drink that was invented by famed bartender Dick Bradsell at Fred’s Club in London’s Soho district in the 1980’s; it was reminiscent of the blackberries he used to get as a child on the Isle of Wight.
It has apparently disappeared from the radar of many bartenders and home cocktail aficionados alike which is a shame because it’s a fabulous drink when blackberries are in season and even in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, we get them imported year round.
If for some reason blackberries are not close at hand, try making it using blackberries preserves…they are a fantastic alternative. If you ever choose to go that route, because preserves are sweetened, you might want to temper the simple syrup a bit.
The herbaceous tones of the gin combined with tart lemon and blackberries, softened and sweetened a bit with simple syrup and Crème de Mûre is something you should really try. It’s not your mothers’ Gin and Tonic, that’s for sure!
Original recipes call for the blackberry flavored Crème de Mûre liqueur (my homemade version), which is amazing and lovely but not always easy to find. If that’s true for you too, use the more readily available Crème de Cassis (black currant) liqueur.
I was lucky to have a bottle of Brockmans Gin on hand. From England, Brockmans Gin is made from 100% English grain, quadruple distilled and flavored with 10 botanicals and is unique from the more common London Dry Gin. It uses Bulgarian coriander, blueberries and blackberries to create an aromatic smooth taste that can be consumed neat or over ice if that’s your preference.
Me? I prefer it mixed with something and the Brockmans, with its decidedly fruitier taste, was the perfect choice for this Blackberry Bramble Cocktail.
I originally posted about this cocktail in 2013 and like other posts where I feel the photos had to be upgraded, I decided to publish again; I love sharing some of my favorites with new readers.
It continues to be a favorite of mine and the perfect summer libation. Who’s with me…still happy with all that is summer? Come on over; I’ll make us a whole pitcher of these to celebrate!
PIN ‘Blackberry Bramble Cocktail’
The Blackberry Bramble Cocktail – Gin, Blackberry and Lemon
The Blackberry Bramble is a gorgeous and refreshing summer cocktail with fresh berries, gin and lemon.
Ingredients
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 6 large blackberries
- 1/2 ounce crème de cassis
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup heat equal amounts sugar and water until sugar is melted; cool before using
- 1 1/2 ounces Gin
- Blackberries for garnish
Instructions
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Combine the lemon juice and blackberries in a rocks glass and muddle until the berries are broken up. Fill the glass with ice.
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Combine Crème de Cassis, simple syrup and gin in a cocktail shaker and stir to combine.
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Add to the berry/lemon mixture, stir and garnish with additional blackberries.
Recipe Notes
Adjust simple syrup to your tastes; this cocktail was perfect for me but my neighbor enjoyed it a bit sweeter.
Yes please! Wishing it was 5 o’clock!
Love gin in cocktails! And this is a good one — hadn’t had it the first time I saw this, but I have since. Good stuff! My local wine/liquor store is really good about ordering ingredients they don’t normally stock. Takes a week or so to get them, but usually I’m in no rush.
How I would have loved to have been there on Monday to share a few (?) of these with you. I love the sound and the looks of this cocktail.
YEs, yes and yes! When Zoe was here we bought a bottle of lavender gin, though I can’t remember the name of it. She packed it in bubble wrap and took it with her! This has all the flavors I could want. Now I just need someone to drink it with!
I keep asking you to come visit…do I need to make a pitcher of these?
It was probably Hendricks Midsummer Edition. Infused with lavender and rose petals. Delicious with infused Fevertree pink tonic!
This was THE hot cocktail of the the gay crowd in London in the 1980s. Yes I’m dating myself, but what a time it was! XOGREG
Well, seems it’s good timing to bring it back right? I just loved it.
Gorgeous cocktail! And I’m not a gin fan, but I am digging the sound of the Brockman’s. =)
I really enjoyed it Jenni…and if not a fan; this cocktail would be good as well with vodka!
Love the sound of this one, Barb!
Thanks Liz…it’s a fabulous gin too; wonder if you can get it in Australia?
I guess I am coming over on Monday. The excuse is that I wanna meet you before I leave for my trip, but then we all know why I would be “actually” coming over :)) So refreshing! Hope you have a great weekend, Barb.
Can you come over for reals? Or we could meet somewhere? I have to see you before you leave!!
Barbara, This Bramble looks so refreshing. I know precisely what I’ll do when I get my hands on some fresh blackberries. Have a fantastic Memorial Day weekend, and cheers!
Thank you Brooks and refreshing it is and a great use of blackberries; they hold up well to the herbaceous nature of gin. Hoping you have a great weekend too!
Gosh even though I am dangerous, as in silly, when I have a sip or two, this Bramble Cocktail is calling my name. This looks so enticing!
I am the same Shulie so if you want/need less of the liquor, just cut it back a bit or add some soda water to dilute the cocktail a little. This one was great; love summer cocktails with fruit!
Due to an unfortunate gin incident years ago I can no longer drink it, but I be this would be great with vodka too. I’ll have to give that a try. This looks wonderful.
Hehe…we’ve all had those incidents and yes, I would make this with vodka in a minute!
Nice drink! I’ve heard of the Bramble but have never tasted it, much less made it. Love everything that’s in it (and I have everything on hand!) so I should definitely give this a try. Fun stuff. 🙂 Have a great Memorial Day weekend!
You should definitely try it John. Gin is so seldom used in cocktails it seems but this one is perfect for it. Have a great holiday yourself!