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Bramble Gin Recipe

Bramble Gin Recipe

By What’s Baking

A sublime balance of rich blackberry sweetness and bright citrus, underpinned by the botanical complexity of gin.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A close-up of a Bramble served in a rocks glass, showcasing the dramatic color transition from clear gin at the bottom to deep purple blackberry liqueur cascading through crushed ice. Golden afternoon light catches the glass's condensation and illuminates the fresh blackberries and lemon wedge perched on the rim. Tiny droplets of blackberry liqueur create artistic purple trails through the cocktail, while frost-covered crushed ice glistens like diamonds. The environment suggests a garden terrace setting with blurred greenery in the background, perfectly complementing this berry-forward summer classic.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">50ml London dry gin</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">25ml fresh lemon juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">10ml simple syrup</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Crushed ice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Fresh blackberries and lemon slice for garnish</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Old-fashioned (rocks) glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Lewis bag and mallet (or alternative for crushed ice)</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Prepare your crushed ice by placing ice cubes in a Lewis bag (or clean kitchen towel) and striking firmly with a mallet or rolling pin until the ice is uniformly crushed into small, snow-like pieces. The fine texture of properly crushed ice is essential for the slow melting and dramatic drizzle effect of the blackberry liqueur.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Fill your rocks glass completely with the crushed ice, creating a rounded mound on top. Pack it down gently with your bar spoon to create a solid bed of ice - this will support the proper layering of ingredients.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Combine gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in your cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes. Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until well-chilled. The brief shake integrates ingredients while maintaining the gin's botanical character.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Strain the mixture over the crushed ice in your glass. Pour slowly to avoid disturbing the ice mound too much. The crushed ice should remain firmly packed.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Slowly drizzle the crème de mûre over the top of the cocktail, allowing it to cascade down through the crushed ice naturally. Don't stir - the visual effect of the blackberry liqueur bleeding through the drink is a signature characteristic of a proper Bramble.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lemon slice on the rim. If your blackberries are particularly sweet, lightly muddle one in the bottom of the glass before adding ice for an enhanced berry flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Serve with a short straw and enjoy immediately. The Bramble is best enjoyed fresh, as the melting crushed ice gradually changes the cocktail's flavor profile, making it a dynamic drinking experience.</li></ol>

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

What's the best substitute for crème de mûre in a Bramble cocktail?

If you can't find crème de mûre, you can substitute with blackberry brandy or create your own by reducing blackberry juice with sugar to make a syrup, then mixing with a splash of brandy. In a pinch, Chambord (raspberry liqueur) can work, though it will create a slightly different flavour profile.

Why is crushed ice essential for a properly made Bramble?

Crushed ice is crucial as it creates the perfect medium for the blackberry liqueur's dramatic drizzle effect, allowing the purple colour to slowly permeate through the cocktail. It also provides gradual dilution that enhances the drinking experience as flavours evolve, plus creates the signature frosty appearance.

Which type of gin works best for a blackberry-forward cocktail like this?

A classic London dry gin with prominent juniper notes creates the ideal foundation for blackberry flavours. Avoid heavily botanical or floral gins as they might compete with the blackberry. Brands like Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Plymouth provide the perfect balance while letting the crème de mûre shine.

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