August Cheese and cocktail pairing: Bramble Cocktail with Selles-sur-Cher
In our cheese & cocktail pairing project, I combine my cocktail know-how with the encyclopedic cheese knowledge of Jennifer Greco of Chez Loulou for a series of classic cocktail and cheese pairings.
This month we focus on a cocktail that’s so summer seasonal and capitalizes on those last bits of ripe berries.
September cheese and cocktail pairing: Bramble Cocktail and Selles-sur-Cher
Tips, Tricks & Lessons learned:
- Bramble is a real challenge for cheese and cocktail pairing. We were surprised given its citrus and berry components, which can potentially pair well with cheese.
- We chose the Selles-sur-Cher as the best cheese pairing for the Bramble cocktail because it was the only one that highlighted the fruit and citrus while still maintaining the richness of the cheese.
- We tested eight other cheeses and none of the following paired well with the Bramble cocktail: Chèvre aux fleurs, Crottin de Chavignol, Saint-Marcellin, Brie, Beaufort d’été, Tomme Marotte (2nd favorite pairing), Saint-Nectaire, and Fleur du Maquis.
- We used Beefeater gin as a spirit that is easily accessible to everyone. But, I also checked in with friends at Bramble bar in Edinburgh to see what they use for their namesake cocktail, which is East London Liquor Co. dry gin. So if you can get your hands on that, I suggest you try it. Brie,
Bramble recipe
- 2 ounce/60 ml gin
- 1 ounce/30 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup
- 1/2 ounce/15ml creme de mure
- Garnish: lemon wedge and fresh blackberry
Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker and shake 10 – 12 seconds.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Pour the creme de mure over the top so it delicately streams in.
Garnish with lemon half-wheel and blackberry.
If you’re here, I already know you like cocktails. But, if you want to learn more about these or other cheeses, I recommend some time on Jennifer’s blog and Instagram.
