Bramble

What is a Bramble Cocktail?

Often described as a spring cocktail, the Bramble is a delicious, Blackberry-focused cocktail that’s well-balanced and boasts a blend of Gin and Lemon juice, topped with a floating layer of Blackberry Liqueur. 

Served in a Rocks Glass filled with Crushed Ice, it’s also an attractive cocktail with its deep purple hue and fresh Blackberry garnish.

What Does a Bramble Cocktail Taste Like?

The Bramble is a delightfully tangy cocktail with a smidge of sweetness, boasting a keen blend of Gin, Lemon Juice, and Simple Syrup, all topped with a floating layer of Blackberry Liqueur.

The Gin provides an aromatic base,  smoothed over by the sugary syrup, complemented by the tangy kick of fresh Lemon Juice. The sweetness of the Blackberry Liqueur cuts through the tartness of the Lemon, infusing the cocktail with a rich, fruity depth.

Well-balanced, fruity, elegant and extremely drinkable, this drink never disappoints.

The History of the Bramble Cocktail

This cocktail was created in London in 1984 by a legendary London bartender, known for his innovative cocktails, and who is credited with revolutionizing the 1980s cocktail scene with creations like the Espresso Martini, and Russian Spring Punch.

Closely resembling the Gin Fix cocktail, the story goes that ‘The King of Cocktails’ sought to craft a British cocktail, drawing inspiration from his childhood blackberry-picking adventures on the Isle of Wight.

Today it’s one of the most popular cocktails amongst Gin lovers, and a contemporary classic that can be found on cocktail menus around the world.

Tips for Making the Perfect Bramble Cocktail

Although our recipe suggests one whole Blackberry as the garnish, if you want to accentuate the Berry flavor, garnish your cocktail by placing three fresh Blackberries directly atop of the Crushed Ice.

Tip! Whenever garnishing a drink, always garnish with an odd number i.e. one or three. It’s much more visually appealing and enticing.

Variations of a Bramble Cocktail

• Vodka Bramble
  Substituting Vodka for Gin in this cocktail results in a cleaner and more neutral base, allowing the Blackberry Liqueur and fresh Lemon Juice to really take center stage without the herbal and botanical notes typically associated with Gin. This variation may appeal to those who prefer a milder and less Juniper-forward taste, or those seeking a lighter and more versatile cocktail option. Check out our delicious Vodka Bramble Recipe here.

• Wild Berri Vodka Bramble
  Want to really accentuate those Berry flavors? Follow our Vodka Bramble recipe above but swap out the Absolut Vodka Original for Absolut Wild Berri Vodka to really enhance the Berry flavor. Now that’s Berry-licious!

• Bramble Mimosa
  You want more Berry but this time with bubbles? How does a mix of Black Raspberry Liqueur, Blackberry Liqueur, Elderflower Cordial and Champagne sound to you? Yeah, we thought so. Discover our recipe for a Bramble Mimosa to get mixing!

• Holidayberry Bramble
  We love this twist on the classic! Use Vodka instead of Gin, together with Rosemary Syrup, Lemon Juice, Blackberry Puree, and a sprig of Rosemary to create this festive favorite. Don’t miss our Holidayberry Bramble recipe.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for Bramble

A Rocks Glass is the ideal glassware for spirit forward cocktails like this. It’s called a “rocks glass”, because it perfectly accommodates the Ice Cubes or, in this case, the Crushed Ice. It also helps accentuate the cocktail’s stunning purple hues. Check out our article to learn more about different glass types.

Garnish your cocktail with a single whole Blackberry placed on top of the ice, together with a Lemon Wedge, which makes the cocktail even more visually appealing and adds a beautiful aromatic accent.