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The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
214 | Calories |
0g | Fat |
27g | Carbs |
1g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 1 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 214 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 0g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
Sodium 3mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 27g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber 2g | 8% |
Total Sugars 19g | |
Protein 1g | |
Vitamin C 27mg | 137% |
Calcium 27mg | 2% |
Iron 0mg | 3% |
Potassium 103mg | 2% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
The bramble is a modern classic and a simple gin cocktail with a fruity flair. The story goes that it was created in 1984 by U.K. bartender Dick Bradsell and it has been enjoyed by many drinkers ever since.
The featured ingredient of this enhanced gin sour is the crème de mûre, a sweet blackberry liqueur. It is not a standard bar ingredient, though it is nice to have around for drinks such as this, and there are simple substitutions available. If you have access to a good crop of blackberries, you can even make your own. It's as easy as using the berries in a standard homemade liqueur recipe.
The bramble should not be confused with the Bramble Bar, a drink made of scotch, apple juice, and elderflower. Both make fantastic summertime drinks, and they're rather nice to serve together.
Click Play to See This Modern Classic Bramble Cocktail Come Together
"The bramble is genuinely in a class by itself. It's one of the most crowd-pleasing cocktails I know, for both cocktail novices and aficionados alike. Crushed ice is important. Don't go too heavy on the crème de mûre; I usually only use about 1/4 ounce and bump up the gin to 2 ounces." —Tom Macy
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Ingredients
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1 1/2 ounces gin
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3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
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3/4 ounce simple syrup
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1/2 to 3/4 ounce crème de mûre liqueur
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Lime wheel, for garnish
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2 raspberries or blackberries, for garnish
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, pour the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Strain over crushed ice in a highball glass.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Drizzle the cremé de mûre on top.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
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Garnish with a lime slice and 2 raspberries or blackberries. Serve and enjoy.
The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck
Tips
- The bramble may have a short history, but it has also been adapted many times. Some recipes suggest a London dry gin while others opt for the fruitier Plymouth Gin. Either is a good choice, so explore your options. You may even want to try Brockmans Gin, which includes blackberries and blueberries.
- You will also find recipes that use either lemon or lime juice. If you switch to lemon juice, use a lemon wheel for the garnish.
- No matter which citrus juice you go with, use fresh-squeezed and adjust it to your taste. One lime or half a lemon should be enough for a single drink.
What's a Good Substitute for Crème de Mûre?
Admittedly, crème de mûre is not the easiest liqueur to find, though it is not impossible. If you're not having any luck, there are a couple of substitutes:
- Blackberry Brandy: Many of today's fruit-flavored brandies include sugar, making them more of a liqueur than a true brandy. That's quite convenient because it makes blackberry brandy a viable substitution for the bramble's crème de mûre.
- Black Raspberry Liqueur: Blackberries and black raspberries have a very similar flavor, as do the liqueurs made from the two fruits. That means you can get away with using a black raspberry liqueur such as the popular Chambord.
How Strong Is a Bramble Cocktail?
The bramble is neither the strongest nor the weakest cocktail you can mix up. Its average alcohol content is 17 percent ABV (34 proof), so it's just a little stronger than a gin and tonic.
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