Black Widow Blackberry Bramble: Gin, Lemon and Creme de Mure over Crushed Ice

If using the sugar rim, run a lemon wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip it into black sanding sugar.

Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 ounces London dry gin
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce simple syrup
• 1/2 ounce creme de mure (blackberry liqueur)
• 4 fresh blackberries, plus 2 for garnish
• Crushed ice
• 1 thin lemon wheel, for garnish
• Optional: 1 teaspoon black sanding sugar for the rim

Instructions

1. If using the sugar rim, run a lemon wedge around the rim of a rocks glass and dip it into black sanding sugar.
2. Fill the glass to the top with crushed ice and set aside.
3. In a cocktail shaker, muddle 4 blackberries gently with the simple syrup to release their dark juice.
4. Add the gin and lemon juice to the shaker with a handful of ice. Shake hard for 10 to 12 seconds until very cold.
5. Strain the mixture over the crushed ice in the glass, leaving the muddled berry pulp behind.
6. Slowly drizzle the creme de mure over the top so it bleeds down through the ice in dark inky streaks like a spider's web.
7. Garnish with 2 fresh blackberries skewered on a cocktail pick and a lemon wheel. Serve with a short straw.
8. The Bramble was created in 1984 by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell at Fred's Club in London's Soho, inspired by childhood memories of picking blackberries on the Isle of Wight. Its signature move is the slow 'bleed' of blackberry liqueur through crushed ice, which here looks delightfully sinister. Fresh, tart and dramatically dark, it is the perfect grown-up sip for a Halloween gathering.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 215 kcal
• Protein: 0g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 16g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 14g
• Sodium: 2mg