Bramble
Dick Bradsell's 1980s London creation layers dry gin, fresh citrus and rich blackberry liqueur over a mound of crushed ice for a tart, jammy refresher.
23%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
rocks
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“Dick Bradsell devised the Bramble in 1984 at Fred's Club in Soho, drawing on childhood memories of blackberry picking on England's Isle of Wight. Its use of fresh lemon and a float of crème de mûre helped ignite London's craft‑cocktail renaissance and reintroduced bartenders to the power of seasonal fruit.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice
Strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass
Drizzle crème de mûre over the top
Garnish with blackberries and a lemon slice
Glassware
Served over crushed ice in a rocks glass
Garnish
Fresh berries on top
Fresh slice
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
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Sour
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Bitter
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Strong
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Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use crushed ice for the proper bleed effect
Drizzle the liqueur slowly for a marbled look
A rich 2:1 syrup keeps dilution in check
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Bramble.
Muddled Bramble
Adds fresh blackberries to the shake for extra pulp and color.
Changes
Bramble Royale
Topped with dry sparkling wine for a celebratory spritz.
Changes
Autumn Bramble
Substitutes apple brandy for gin and adds a pinch of spice for fall.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Autumn Bramble
A seasonal spin on the Bramble—gin, lemon, and blackberry with a touch of allspice for fall warmth.
Bramble Royale
A celebratory Bramble—gin, lemon, and crème de mûre topped with dry Champagne for a sparkling blackberry fizz.
Muddled Bramble
A modern evolution of Dick Bradsell's 1980s classic, where muddled fresh blackberries elevate the gin sour with vibrant fruit complexity and aromatic depth.