BRAMBLE
The Bramble: The 1980s British Cocktail That Brought Berries to Gin
The Bramble was created by Dick Bradsell in 1984 while he was working at Fred's Club in London's Soho neighborhood. Bradsell, who also created the Espresso Martini and several other modern classics, was inspired by his childhood memories of picking blackberries on the Isle of Wight. He wanted to capture that distinctly British flavor in a cocktail.
The drink represents a shift in 1980s cocktail culture toward using quality fresh ingredients and moving away from the artificial mixers and pre-made sours that dominated bars in the 1970s. Bradsell built the Bramble as a gin sour served over crushed ice with crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur) drizzled over the top, creating a visual effect where the dark liqueur bleeds through the ice.
What makes the Bramble work is the combination of bright lemon tartness with the sweet, earthy flavor of blackberries. The crushed ice keeps it refreshing and dilutes it gradually as you drink, while the gin's botanicals complement the fruit without overpowering it.
The Bramble became hugely influential in British cocktail culture and helped establish Bradsell as one of the most important bartenders of his generation. The drink spread internationally during the 1990s and 2000s as the craft cocktail movement embraced modern classics alongside historical recipes.
The cocktail's success also helped popularize the use of crushed ice in cocktails beyond Tiki drinks and swizzles.
RECIPE:
2 oz gin
1 oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz simple syrup
½ oz crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur)
Fresh blackberries and lemon slice for garnish
Method:
Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to shaker with ice
Shake well until chilled
Strain into rocks glass filled with crushed ice
Drizzle crème de mûre over the top
Garnish with fresh blackberries and lemon slice