Chambord Bramble: A Gin & Chambord Cocktail

A Bramble is a classic cocktail invented in London in the 1980s. It was made from gin, lemon juice, sugar, and creme de mure, which is a blackberry liqueur. We’ve updated the classic by switching out the creme de mure for Chambord, and the result is nothing short of delicious!

Much of the world’s gin is produced in the United Kingdom, and in Scotland in particular, with huge variations of flavoured gins and options like pink gin now on offer.

There are so many delicious and easy options for a cocktail, and we love adding one of Scotland’s other favourites to it as well, the bramble.

What is a Bramble?

A bramble is actually a prickly bush that grows fruits like raspberries and blackberries, although it most often refers to the latter. They’re found all over the UK and often made into jams or fruit pies.

In Scotland, the word bramble refers to the plant and the fruit interchangeably.

It’s also given its name to the cocktail, thanks to the addition of the blackberry liqueur.

What is Chambord?

Chambord is a raspberry liqueur that was first said to be made in the Loire Valley in France in the late 1600s. It includes raspberries, blackberries, vanilla, citrus peel, honey, cognac and herbs and spices.

It can be enjoyed on its own but it’s also a welcome addition to many cocktails, including mixers with vodka, bourbon, brandy, sherry, and gin. So decided to include it in one of our favourites, the Bramble!

We think it gives it a bit more of a complex taste than the traditional creme de mure, thanks to the added flavours.

What is sugar syrup?

Sugar syrup is often used in making cocktails to sweeten them up a bit, especially ones that are heavy on citrus or fruits. Some people prefer to omit it or use something different like agave syrup. There isn’t usually a huge measure of it though, so we just stick with the traditional.

Sugar syrup may be available at your local supermarket but it’s also easy to make it yourself. Heat 2 parts sugar to 1 part water gently in a pot on the stove until the sugar is dissolved, then allow to cool. That’s it!

What glass do you use for a Chambord Bramble?

You can make your Chambord Gin cocktail in any glass you but we quite like using the traditional glassware for each cocktail.

In this case, a bramble cocktail would usually be served in a tumbler or rocks glass, because it has a lot of crushed ice in it and this type of glass makes it easier to drink.

How do you make crushed ice?

A Bramble cocktail is traditionally served in a glass full of crushed ice. You can sometimes buy this, but otherwise, make it yourself using a blender or the good old-fashioned way – put the ice in a plastic bag, wrap it in a tea towel and bash with a rolling pin, hammer, or wooden spoon.

What type of gin should you use?

We would recommend a standard gin for this gin and Chambord cocktail, to allow the flavour of the Chambord to stand out.

You could try a pink gin if you like, that has been flavoured with berries already as well. Just make sure it’s a gin and not a gin liqueur (it should be at least 37.5%).

Chambord Bramble Recipe: A Gin and Chambord Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 60ml Gin
• 15ml Chambord
• 30ml Lemon Juice
• 15ml Sugar Syrup
• Crushed Ice
• Ice

Garnish with blackberries (brambles!) or a lemon wheel.

Method:

1. Fill a tumbler with crushed ice and the shaker with normal ice cubes.
2. Put the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a shaker and shake until cold.
3. Strain into the tumbler.
4. Drizzle Chambord into one side of the glass so it sinks to the bottom.
5. Garnish as you like.