The Black Demure is anything but demure.
The Black Demure is a velvety variation on the Bramble. Originally invented by Dick Bradsell in the 1980s, the Bramble is a fruity, sweet, gin-based cocktail that’s all about blackberries. Inspired by the fresh blackberries that Bradsell would pick as a child on the Isle of Wight, the Bramble uses both blackberry liqueur and fresh blackberries. Since then, Bradsell’s inspiration has inspired a ton of variations. There’s the Pisco Bramble, which subs in brandy for gin, the Bourbon Bramble, which subs in bourbon for gin, and now the Black Demure.
It’s hard to say if NYC bartender Franky Marshall was inspired by the original Bramble or the Bourbon Bramble when she created the Black Demure, but either way we salute her. This cocktail shares the bramble genes with lemon juice, simple syrup, and creme de mure (blackberry liqueur), then starts to look more like the Bourbon Bramble with its base liquor. And then Marshall added two spicy little plot twists.
A splash of Cointreau in the Black Demure elevates both the total alcohol content, as well as the final flavor. And while the brambles are served with mounds of julep-like ice, the Black Demure calls for one, fat ice cube to showcase the drink’s smooth texture.
With powerful flavors and a powerful proof, “demure” doesn’t do this cocktail any justice. In fact, we’ll be petitioning Marshall to rename her creation the “Brazen Bramble” for a more accurate description.
Black Demure
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Rocks Glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Bourbon
- ¾ ounce Lemon Juice
- ¼ ounce Crème de Mûre (blackberry liqueur)
- ¼ ounce Cointreau
- ¼ ounce Simple Syrup
- 1 wheel Orange (garnish)
- 1 Blackberry (garnish)
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 ounces of Bourbon, ¾ ounce Lemon juice, ¼ ounce of Cointreau, ¼ ounce Crème de Mûre, and ¼ ounce of Simple Syrup.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a Rocks glass with a large, fresh ice cube.
- Garnish with an orange wheel and blackberry.
