Bramble

The Bramble is a modern classic cocktail made with gin, invented in 1984 by legendary London bartender Dick Bradsell who also created the beloved Espresso Martini among other drinks.

The Bramble is an incredible fusion of sweet, tangy, sour, and fruity flavors.

“You get those floral gin notes, great Blackberry flavors coming in from the blackberry liqueur, balanced with the sugar and the lemon. This is a pure British summer sipper,” shares Rico.

The Bramble was created in London in 1984 by legendary London bartender Dick Bradsell who is credited with revolutionizing the 1980s cocktail scene with creations like the Espresso Martini.

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. And lo and behold, the Bramble was born.

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.

• Get that layered gradient
  As you’ll see in the video, Rico recommends pouring the blackberry liqueur into the glass first before adding the mixture. This technique creates a beautiful, layered gradient effect that enhances both the visual appeal and the drinking experience. After all, we drink with more than just our mouths.

  The rich, dark hue of the blackberry liqueur settles at the bottom, gradually blending with the lighter mix above, making each sip as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate.

• Always use Fresh Lemon Juice
  When life gives you Lemons, use them to press fresh lemon juice for your Bramble. You can’t compare store-bought lemon juice with freshly squeezed. To bring your cocktail up to bar-level standards, you need to use fresh lemon juice.

• Vodka Bramble
  A Bramble with Vodka instead of Gin? Indeed. 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 Bramble 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 Bramble
  Is there such a thing as too much berry? Nope, we don’t believe so. It follows the same recipe but substitutes the Gin for Absolut Wild Berri Vodka and is garnished with a lemon half-moon instead of lemon zest.

  “Perfectly balanced and great for the summer,” shares Rico. Watch the video on this page or discover our Wild Berri Vodka Bramble recipe.
  

• Bramble Mimosa
  You want more Berry and some 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.

  Holidayberry Bramble
  You gotta love this holiday twist on the classic! Use vodka instead of gin, together with rosemary syrup, lemon juice, blackberry purée, and a sprig of rosemary to create this festive favorite. Don’t miss our Holidayberry Bramble recipe.

• Rico recommends using a short glass such as a tumbler, somewhere between a highball and a rocks glass. A tumbler will perfectly accommodate the ice cubes or, in this case, the crushed ice. It also helps accentuate the cocktail’s stunning purple hues.

  Check out this article to learn more about different glass types.

• Garnish your cocktail with two whole blackberries placed on top of the ice, together with lemon zest, which makes the cocktail even more visually appealing and adds a beautiful aromatic accent.