Plenty of famous cocktails were born in New York, Havana or Venice. The Bramble was born in Soho. It's on the classic cocktails list at Nonòs Judd Street, our Greek Mediterranean kitchen and bar at 112 Judd Street, London WC1H 9NT, five minutes' walk from King's Cross St Pancras. Here's the story of London's own gin cocktail, what goes in it, and how we make ours.
A British cocktail, from a Soho bar
The Bramble was created in London in 1984 by the barman Dick Bradsell. He was working at Fred's Club in Soho at the time, and he wanted to create a British cocktail. His inspiration was his childhood memories of going blackberrying on the Isle of Wight, and the name comes from the plant itself: blackberry bushes are better known in Britain as brambles.
The recipe brings together dry gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and crème de mûre, a blackberry liqueur, over crushed ice. Bradsell suggested finishing it with fresh red fruit, such as blackberries, and a slice of lemon. If there's no crème de mûre to hand, many bartenders use crème de cassis, made with blackcurrants, instead. Background from Wikipedia's Bramble page.
The "cocktail king"
Dick Bradsell, who was born in Bishop's Stortford in 1959 and died in 2016, is credited with changing the face of the London cocktail scene in the 1980s; The Observer called him the "cocktail king". The Bramble wasn't his only modern classic. He also invented the espresso martini, along with drinks such as the Russian Spring Punch and the Treacle, and it was said he could rarely walk into a bar without a bartender handing him their version of his espresso martini. More on Wikipedia's Dick Bradsell page.
Our Bramble
On our drinks and bar menu, the Bramble is Beefeater gin, fresh lemon, gomme syrup and blackberry liqueur. It's sweet, sharp and fruity at the same time, an easy first cocktail of the evening. If you like it, try its fellow Bradsell creation, our Espresso Martini, or another gin classic, the Negroni. For something sour, there's the Whiskey Sour with Buffalo Trace bourbon. See our posts on the espresso martini, the Negroni and cocktails and aperitivo hour.
Our cocktails get plenty of love in the reviews. Emma wrote: Delicious cocktails, really friendly staff, and good Greek food.
(Emma, Google review) And Tom, after a long lunch of small plates and skewers: Delicious greek wine and a couple of cocktails plus fantastic service.
(Tom, Google review)
A Bramble with meze
Gin, lemon and blackberry are bright enough for salty, tangy food. From our à la carte menu, try a Bramble with the Nonòs' Meze for two, with hummus, tzatziki, tyrokafteri, Greek salad, olives and pitta, with the Kalamari, or with Halloumi Fries. For dessert, the fruit in a Bramble goes nicely with the Cheesecake with Ice Cream and strawberry coulis. See our posts on the Greek meze table, kalamari and Greek desserts. Not drinking? Our alcohol-free list has the Virgin Mojito and the Lady in Red.
“Nonos has such a warm atmosphere, perfect for a family dinner or date night.”
Siobhan, Google review, 2025
Good to know
- Address: 112 Judd Street, King's Cross, London WC1H 9NT. Phone 020 7278 9700.
- Hours: Sunday to Wednesday 08:30–22:00, Thursday to Saturday 08:30–23:00. The à la carte menu starts at noon.
- Allergies: please speak to our team about allergies and dietary requirements before you order. Menus may vary slightly by location and season.
A London classic, poured on Judd Street. Book a table at Nonòs Judd Street or just walk in. Please drink responsibly.