When Dick Bradsell first created the Bramble cocktail in London back in 1984, he said that his inspiration, for this truly British cocktail, was memories of going blackberrying in his childhood on the Isle of Wight.
And that same sort of idyllic summer imagery is behind the new Bombay Sapphire release, Bramble – a new distilled gin crafted with 100% natural flavours from freshly harvested blackberries and raspberries.
Bradsell’s Bramble has not only taken on modern classic status, but has also been one of the most popular summer Gin cocktails of the past few decades
With this in mind, it is no surprise the Bombay Sapphire has sought to mirror that success when launching their first flavoured gin variety.
Registering at 37.5% abv, the expression combines natural flavouring and its house style vapour-distilled gin with no added sugar, which the brand believes differentiates itself from other flavoured gins.
“We’ve been really patient to get the product right because we wanted it to be different from the others,” said Victoria Morris, global vice president, Bombay Sapphire.
“We see that consumers around the world are still excited by-products which are made naturally and that’s exactly what Bramble offers.”
According to Morris, 80% of the growth of the gin category has been led by flavoured gins and Bramble will remain a permanent member of the brand’s portfolio.
Simplifying the mixing of Bradsell’s iconic drink, Bombay’s Bramble offers both gin and berried fruit flavours in one spirit; an innovative way for bartenders and consumers to evolve this much-loved cocktail with ease.
Ivano Tonutti, Bombay Sapphire master of botanicals, added: “Launching a flavour expression was always going to take time as it’s important that the taste experience comes purely from natural botanicals and ingredients.
“This is so we can offer even the most discerning gin drinkers the right balance of fruit flavour without compromising the quality of our core product. Master distiller Dr Anne Brock and I worked closely and carefully to infuse our gin with a maceration of berries that have been harvested at their ripest moment.”
So how exactly should you make a Bramble with Bombay’s Bramble? Well, we have the recipe below, as well as a couple of other drinks that will definitely stir your creativity.
Bombay Bramble
The namesake of Bombay bramble, this cocktail is designed to perfectly showcase the flavours in the new berry flavoured gin. Served with crushed ice, this cocktail oozes sophistication and is the perfect drink to enjoy on a summer’s day. Due to the natural fruits within the gin, this twist on a classic doesn’t require any added sweetness and contains less sugar than a standard bramble.
50ml (5cl) BOMBAY BRAMBLE
25ml (2.5cl) Freshly pressed lemon juice
20ml (2cl) Sugar syrup (2:1 ratio)
Lemon Wedge & Raspberries / Blackberries x 2 (Garnish)
GLASS: Rocks Glass
METHOD: Built & topped with crushed ice
Bombay Bramble & Tonic
Light, bright and uplifting – expressing the true nature of BOMBAY BRAMBLE and allowing the true essence of both spirit & mixer to shine through, lifted with a squeeze of fresh lemon.
50ml (5cl) BOMBAY BRAMBLE
100ml (10cl) PREMIUM TONIC WATER (Preferably Fever Tree)
Lemon Wedge – Squeezed & Dropped in (Garnish)
GLASS: Highball or white wine glass
METHOD: Built over cubed ice
Clover Club
Drawing on the inherent flavour of BOMBAY BRAMBLE without the need or requirement for berried fruit (raspberry) found in the original, this reimagined classic simplifies the recipe and heroes the base spirit.
50ml (5cl) BOMBAY BRAMBLE
25ml (2.5cl) Freshly pressed lemon juice
20ml (2cl) Sugar syrup (2:1 ratio)
½ egg white (circa 20ml – can use fresh or pasteurized egg whites)
Lemon thumb (Garnish)
GLASS: Chilled coupette (preferred) or chilled martini glass
METHOD: Shake (hard) & strain
