Blackberry Bramble

The Blackberry Bramble is one of the most popular Blackberry cocktails. It was first created in London in the 1980s by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell. He also invented several other modern classics like the Espresso Martini, the Treacle, the Wibble, and the Russian Spring Punch.

The cocktail was named after the berry bush that Bradsell used to pick fresh blackberries as a kid on the Isle of Wight. After receiving a bottle of Crème de Mûre liqueur, he started experimenting and invented the refreshing, sweet-tart combination of gin, crème de mûre, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Bradsell strained the drink over crushed ice to dull the sweetness.

Best Gin for Blackberry Bramble

The perfect gin is the backbone of the Blackberry Bramble.

When choosing a gin for the Blackberry Bramble, we recommend sticking to classic options like a high-quality London Dry or a dry gin with juniper-forward notes.

Some of our top recommendations include brands like Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Gordon’s Gin.

Variations

A common spin of the classic Blackberry Bramble is to add a handful of fresh juicy blackberries to your cocktail.

• Muddle the blackberries with lemon juice (as well as fresh mint if you want to go the extra mile) before adding the gin, Crème de Mûre, and simple syrup. If you go this route, we do recommend straining the mixture with a fine-mesh strainer to strain all the seeds. That is unless you want your drink a little grainy, which is totally an option as well.

When replacing the gin: If you need a solid gin replacement, feel free to experiment with a fruitier Plymouth gin or add an extra dash of blackberry flavor by using blackberry- and blueberry-infused Brockmans gin.

When replacing Crème de Mûre: The luxuriously smooth Crème de Mûre made from French blackberries isn’t always easy to find. If you don’t have any in your home bar, you can replace it with Blackberry brandy, Crème de Cassis, or Chambord. Furthermore, non-alcoholic blackberry syrup or blackberry cordial are other options when making Crème de Mûre alternatives.

Crafting your own Crème de Mûre: If you have a fresh crop of blackberries, you can make homemade Crème de Mûre using blackberries, red wine, vodka, and white sugar.

Can I Use Different Ice?

It is best to use crushed ice when making the Blackberry Bramble.

Many novice home bartenders may believe that the only purpose of ice is to chill a cocktail. However, the type of ice you use impacts your drink’s overall quality and textural experience.

The Crème de Mûre is a sweet liqueur that needs dilution. Using crushed ice ensures the ice breaks down quickly, adding water to the cocktail. The dilution mellows the alcohol and overly sweet fruit flavors, marrying the cocktail’s flavors to create a smoother, more enjoyable drink.

Can You Make the Blackberry Bramble Ahead of Time?

The Blackberry Bramble is the perfect cocktail for large gatherings. You can prepare a large batch of Bramble ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until your guests arrive. The drink will stay fresh for up to two days upon refrigeration.

Consider only adding the Crème de Mûre once your guests arrive to present the gorgeous dark purple bleed.