Berry Bramble

I’ve just recently come across the name “bramble” which I thought to be some kind of berry-producing prickly shrub, but it’s also the name of a gin-based cocktail! Since I happen to love gin, and have had the pleasure of being introduced to a new French variety, I thought it was a perfect time to try out a bramble myself! Really, any excuse for a cocktail will do, but specifically for the purpose of research and testing? Absolutely!

Here’s the new gin from France that my friend introduced me to, after sampling it at a tasting in NYC. It’s called G’Vine. I know, that doesn’t sound very French. I’m not even sure how to pronounce it. But it’s fabulous, with floral and citrus tones to its flavor. It’s referred to as “botanical.”

gin

I’ve had this gin with both tonic and soda water and it’s really delightful, but for my first bramble I decided to pair it with sloe gin. I just recently discovered that sloe gin is made from sloe berries! See, that’s why I read food blogs!

And for the berry part of the bramble, I chose blackberries, because they’re really perfect at the stores right now. Nice and sweet.

Berry  Bramble
Makes 2 drinks

8-10 fresh blackberries
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 ounces G’Vine gin
1 ounce sloe gin
Fresca or soda water, chilled

Firstly, place the berries in a small bowl. Muddle or fork them into mushiness, along with the sugar.

I then divided the mushed up blackberries in two glasses, and added a couple of whole blackberries as well. It just makes the cocktail that much healthier!

Then add the gin and sloe gin.

Lastly, add the Fresca. If you’re not familiar with Fresca, you should be. It’s a grapefruit based soda and provides much more flavor than just adding sparkling water or soda. Plus it’s super fizzy. It had those blackberries bouncing around so much that sometimes they were out of focus in the photos!

ginn

Mint would be a good addition, but I don’t like getting chopped mint in my teeth, so I just left it sitting there looking pretty!

If you want to learn about G’Vine, check it out here on this crazy website!

verdict: I must say this was a very successful experiment. This brand of gin made it even better, but regular gin would certainly work just as well. The sloe gin added a lot as well, but certainly creme de cassis or Chambord could be substituted. As for the berry aspect, I think this drink would be wonderful with just about any ripe berry!

By Published On: June 13th, 201449 Comments on Berry Bramble

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

49 Comments

  1. pepperminting June 13, 2014 at 8:39 AM - Reply

    YUMMM

  2. gwynnem June 13, 2014 at 9:04 AM - Reply

    This has Friday night written all over it! ;) Lovely recipe.

    • chef mimi June 13, 2014 at 11:41 AM - Reply

      Or any night of the week…

      • gwynnem June 13, 2014 at 5:25 PM

        Haha. good point.

  3. unpackedwriter.com June 13, 2014 at 10:26 AM - Reply

    That looks amazing!

    • chef mimi June 13, 2014 at 11:42 AM - Reply

      It’s even healthy, with all of those berries…

  4. Serena June 13, 2014 at 10:35 AM - Reply

    Look fantastic!!!!

  5. colormusing June 13, 2014 at 11:22 AM - Reply

    Ooh, this sounds delicious and refreshing! I used to pick bucketloads of blackberries as a kid, and they’re still my favorite berry. And Portland makes some great gins– Aviation is one of my favorites– and I will look for G’Vine.

    • chef mimi June 13, 2014 at 11:40 AM - Reply

      I love gin, but I’m not connoisseur of it. I thought Hendrick’s was as fancy as it got! Good to know!

  6. chefceaser June 13, 2014 at 11:36 AM - Reply

    Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.

  7. Amanda June 13, 2014 at 12:31 PM - Reply

    Delish. I love blackberries. And drinking….

  8. StefanGourmet June 13, 2014 at 1:33 PM - Reply

    Nice! Blackberries (the berries that grow on brambles) will be in season here in late August.

  9. apuginthekitchen June 13, 2014 at 9:31 PM - Reply

    I must try that gin and the drink. I am partial to blackberries and I love the name Bramble!!

    • chef mimi June 14, 2014 at 8:11 AM - Reply

      Those Brits! They have the best names for things!!! Did you know that band aids are called plasters?!!!

  10. lambsearsandhoney June 14, 2014 at 3:42 AM - Reply

    This sounds like a deliciously refreshing drink and so appropriate for me to find today – it’s World Gin Day!

    • chef mimi June 14, 2014 at 8:10 AM - Reply

      Wow! I had no idea! Well Happy Gin Day! Do try to find the G’Vine, if you love gin!

  11. theclevercarrot June 14, 2014 at 8:23 AM - Reply

    I want to swim in this… it’s 9:30 am I want to trade my coffee for this gorgeous, vibrant drink! I love the flavor combination and anything with mint is right up my alley. Definitely trying this one :)

    • chef mimi June 14, 2014 at 2:18 PM - Reply

      Hahaha!!! I know the feeling!!! Thanks for stopping by!

  12. Hannah (BitterSweet) June 14, 2014 at 9:56 AM - Reply

    How charming! I want to make these just for the name alone- But of course, they sound perfectly refreshing, too.

  13. Peter - The Roaming GastroGnome June 14, 2014 at 10:08 AM - Reply

    Very nice. I always say a gin cocktail is a good measuring stick of bartending skills. You have to make it correctly to taste good, can’t overpour like flavorless vodka.

    • chef mimi June 14, 2014 at 2:17 PM - Reply

      I’m actually a terrible bartender, just a good drinker. And I despise strong drinks. Thanks for stopping by!

  14. chefjulianna June 14, 2014 at 1:00 PM - Reply

    Awesome, Mimi! Blackberry season is just around the corner and I know what I’m making with my first pick! Very beautiful! :D

  15. elderjscott June 14, 2014 at 1:07 PM - Reply

    Sounds lovely! I absolutely adore G’Vine gin, too!

    • chef mimi June 14, 2014 at 2:16 PM - Reply

      You’re the first person that I “know” who has tried it!!!

  16. ladyredspecs June 15, 2014 at 5:01 PM - Reply

    This sounds wonderful. There is an explosion of small distillers in Australia. Some wonderful gins are being made, some so good you just want to drink them neat, which is how I like Sloe gin the best, just on ice, but it definitely has the flavour to carry a berry cocktail!

    • chef mimi June 16, 2014 at 8:05 AM - Reply

      I’ve actually never tasted sloe gin on its own. But I usually don’t like anything neat. Or martinis. Nothing strong!

  17. hotlyspiced June 15, 2014 at 10:49 PM - Reply

    Yum. I’ve never had blackberries in my gin but this looks like a great combination and it certainly makes for a very pretty drink xx

    • chef mimi June 16, 2014 at 8:04 AM - Reply

      Yes! It’s pretty, delicious, refreshing, and healthy!!!

  18. glutenfreehappytummy June 16, 2014 at 9:02 PM - Reply

    wow what a stunning dish. i agree — no mint in my teeth either please! :D

    • chef mimi June 17, 2014 at 7:29 AM - Reply

      Hahaha! I know, that’s my problem with mojitos, even though they’re so good!!!

  19. glutenfreehappytummy June 16, 2014 at 9:02 PM - Reply

    * oops i meant drink!! haha fingers typing faster than my brain tonight :P

    • chef mimi June 17, 2014 at 7:30 AM - Reply

      It happens to me as well… I should only type in the morning when my brain is more awake!

  20. tinywhitecottage June 16, 2014 at 9:57 PM - Reply

    Perfect name for a drink! Looks incredibly refreshing an lovely photographs too!

    • chef mimi June 17, 2014 at 7:28 AM - Reply

      Thank you so much! And don’t forget it’s a healthy libation as well, with all of those berries…

  21. Kristi Kaiser June 16, 2014 at 10:15 PM - Reply

    Mimi, this looks fabulous! And, I love the addition of the Fresca – I’m a huge fan of Fresca, so I’m sure this is amazing! Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen

    • chef mimi June 17, 2014 at 7:28 AM - Reply

      I never drink it on its own. But it’s great in this drink, and I use it in all sangrias. It just adds a little something different!

  22. Tandy | Lavender and Lime June 17, 2014 at 12:49 AM - Reply

    I learnt something new! I love the bramble drink and will surely try some when the weather improves here :)

    • chef mimi June 17, 2014 at 7:27 AM - Reply

      I just love the name bramble!!! But fortunately it’s also very good and refreshing!

  23. Choc Chip Uru June 18, 2014 at 8:19 AM - Reply

    This drink looks so tasty! Yum :D
    Berries are so refreshing!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  24. DellaCucinaPovera June 24, 2014 at 8:46 AM - Reply

    I love me some gin, too. This looks wonderfully fruity… like one of those drinks that tastes like juice and then you’ve had 5? :)

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