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Bramble

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description Bramble Overview

The Bramble is a modern gin cocktail created in London by bartender Dick Bradsell. It combines gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup over crushed ice, with crème de mûre blackberry liqueur poured through or over the drink to create a visible color gradient. Usually garnished with a blackberry and lemon, it balances the structure of a gin sour with a distinct berry component.

help Bramble FAQ

Who invented the Bramble cocktail?

The Bramble was created by legendary London bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1980s at Fred's Club in Soho. The original recipe used gin rather than Scotch whisky as its base spirit, combined with crème de mûre, lemon juice, and sugar. Bradsell is also credited with creating the Espresso Martini.

What glass and ice should I use for a Bramble?

The Bramble is traditionally served over crushed ice in a rocks glass or short tumbler, giving it a refreshing, slushy texture ideal for warm weather. The crushed ice is essential to the drink's identity and helps dilute the strong spirit base. A fresh blackberry and lemon wedge are the classic garnishes.

Can I make a Bramble with gin instead of Scotch whisky?

In fact, the original Bramble created by Dick Bradsell used gin as the base spirit, making a gin-based version more authentic to the drink's history. Both versions pair crème de mûre, citrus, and sugar with the base spirit, but gin produces a lighter, more floral result while Scotch adds smoky depth. The gin version is the one most commonly found on cocktail menus.

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