Bramble Cocktail: The Berry Citrus Drink That Always Delivers

Some drinks just get it right without trying too hard. The Bramble’s one of those.

It’s got that perfect mix of bright lemon and smooth berry with a vibe that feels like summer’s showing off a little. Built with gin a squeeze of lemon a little sugar and a trickle of blackberry liqueur it’s both bold and breezy.

Whether you’re stretched out on the porch catching the last of the sun or mixing one up for friends who said they’d stay for one drink and never left… this cocktail always hits just right.

Looks good tastes even better and makes you look like you know exactly what you’re doing even if you’re totally winging it.

What Is a Bramble Cocktail and Why You’ll Love It

The Bramble is one of those cocktails that surprises people in the best way. It looks fancy, tastes like summer and somehow still takes less than five minutes to throw together.

At its core you’ve got gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup. That’s your zesty, fresh base. Then comes the magic… a slow pour of crème de mûre that drips down through the ice like a little blackberry sunset.

Flavor wise it’s a ride. You get that citrus zing right up front, then the berry comes in smooth and sweet without going full candy.

It’s the kind of drink that makes people stop mid sip and say wait, what is this. Then they ask for another.

Tips To Make It Perfectly At Home

You don’t need to be a pro to nail this one but a few easy tricks will take your Bramble from good to great:

• Use crushed ice: It chills the drink fast and lets that berry liqueur trickle down just right.
• Shake the base well: Mix the gin, lemon juice and syrup with plenty of ice so it’s icy cold and smooth.
• Pour the crème de mûre slowly: Let it drift through the ice for that signature look and layered flavor.
• Pick a good gin: Nothing too floral or too piney. Something clean that plays nice with citrus and berry.
• Garnish smart: A couple of blackberries and a lemon slice make it pop without overdoing it.

Food Pairing Ideas for a Bramble Cocktail

The Bramble brings together bright citrus, juicy berries and a hint of sweetness, so it plays best with food that’s fresh, zesty or just a little rich to balance things out. Nothing too heavy or creamy… this drink does better with crisp textures, bold herbs and a little tang. Great for grazing boards, small bites or anything off the grill.

Grilled chicken skewers: The lemon and herbs in the Bramble wake up the smoky flavors.

Goat cheese crostini: Creamy tanginess meets citrus and berry like they were made for each other.

Watermelon and mint salad: Light and cooling, with flavors that mirror the cocktail.

Flatbreads with herbs and feta: Salty and herby, perfect against the sweet and sour sip.

Dark chocolate squares: Bold enough to stand up to the Bramble’s fruit without taking over.

The Perfect Bramble Cocktail

The Bramble cocktail is a visually stunning drink, featuring a beautiful purple hue from the crème de mûre. With a refreshing taste, it combines the herbal notes of gin with the tartness of fresh lemon juice and the sweetness from sugar syrup, resulting in a balanced and invigorating cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz sugar syrup
• 1/2 oz crème de mûre
• Ice cubes
• Fresh blackberries, raspberries and/or lemon slices for garnish

Zero-proof version: Skip the gin and swap in a botanical non-alcoholic gin or even chilled hibiscus tea if you want a bold base. Swap the Crème de mûre for a non-alcoholic liqueur. Keep the lemon juice and simple syrup for the same layered look and flavor without the booze.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice.
2. Mix the Base: In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
3. Strain: Strain the mixture over the crushed ice in the prepared glass.
4. Add the Crème de Mûre: Slowly pour the crème de mûre over the top of the cocktail, allowing it to trickle down through the ice for a beautiful gradient effect.
5. Garnish: Finish with fresh blackberries or raspberries and a slice of lemon on the rim for a touch of elegance.
6. Serve: Enjoy your refreshing Bramble cocktail immediately!

Prep Times

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 1 cocktail
• Calories: 191 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 25g

Easy Bramble Cocktail Variations to Try

Once you’ve got the classic down it’s easy to play around with the Bramble and make it your own. The base is simple so even a small switch can totally change the vibe:

Swap the berry: No crème de mûre? Use crème de cassis or raspberry liqueur for a twist.

Make it bubbly: Top it with soda water or tonic for a lighter spritz-style version.

Switch the spirit: Not a gin fan? Vodka works fine, just less botanical.

Add fresh berries: Muddle a few raspberries or blackberries into the shaker for a juicier hit.

Try it with honey syrup: Adds a richer sweetness if you’re not into regular sugar syrup.

Need inspiration for some other gin based cocktails? Why not try a gin and tonic, a Gimlet or a Tom Collins?

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Yield: 1

Bramble Cocktail Recipe

Print

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 60 ml gin
• 30 ml fresh lemon juice
• 22 ml sugar syrup
• 15 ml crème de mûre
• Ice cubes
• Fresh blackberries, raspberries and/or lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Glass: Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice.
2. Mix the Base: In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
3. Strain: Strain the mixture over the crushed ice in the prepared glass.
4. Add the Crème de Mûre: Slowly pour the crème de mûre over the top of the cocktail, allowing it to trickle down through the ice for a beautiful gradient effect.
5. Garnish: Finish with fresh blackberries or raspberries and a slice of lemon on the rim for a touch of elegance.
6. Serve: Enjoy your refreshing Bramble cocktail immediately!

Notes

Zero-proof version: Skip the gin and swap in a botanical non-alcoholic gin or even chilled hibiscus tea if you want a bold base. Swap the Crème de mûre for a non-alcoholic liqueur. Keep the lemon juice and simple syrup for the same layered look and flavor without the booze.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 191Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 4mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 3gSugar: 17gProtein: 1g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.