These Bramble truffles are inspired by the classic Bramble cocktail. Flavoured with gin, blackberry and a hint of lemon, these wonderfully soft truffles are encased in a thin milk chocolate shell and dusted in icing sugar. They are sure to impress your next house guest.
Whip up some raspberry marzipan chocolates for an alcohol-free fruity treat to serve alongside these chocolates.
It’s already day three of my ultimate personal challenge to post five cocktail inspired truffle recipes in five days and today I’m bringing with me some Bramble truffles – based on the classic gin cocktail The Bramble.
Have you ever sipped on a Bramble? It’s a punchy mix of gin, creme de mure (blackberry liqueur) and lemon juice all served over crushed ice. This drink manages to be strong, fruity and tangy all in one go. It’s also a bit of a beauty to look at too – get that colour.
Though I was tempted to go with white chocolate for these Bramble truffles to try to hang onto that pretty pink blush, in the end my tastebuds led me down the milk chocolate route.
The actual ganache for these truffles is wonderfully soft set and it’s as smooth as velvet. As irresistible as this silky soft ganache is, the loose texture does make it a total nightmare to roll into balls and dust in icing sugar. But…. the truth is that I fell so deeply in love with this sumptuous ganache than I really did not want to adjust the recipe to thicken it up. Instead, I decided to use my freezer to help firm up the truffle mix enough to roll it into balls and then a double coating of incredibly thin milk chocolate to hold it all together. A quick roll in icing sugar and these Bramble Truffles are seriously exquisite morsels. I doubt many people would believe they are homemade.
The shelf life of these little bites is not long – you have just a couple of days to eat them in top condition. After that the icing sugar does tend to crystalise a little bit. They are still gorgeous though and perfectly edible.
So make yourself a round of Bramble truffles along with a Bramble cocktail to keep them company. Then sit back and marvel at how amazing you are in the kitchen and how delightful that soft and gooey chocolate centre is.
Oh and if you fancy a change from the classic Bramble, check out this my spiced blackberry bramble or my summery peach & raspberry bramble.
More tempting cocktail truffles
Have you made these Bramble truffles? Please let me know if you enjoyed them by leaving a review.
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📖 Recipe
Cocktail Inspired Rum & Ginger Truffles
Ingredients
- 100g/ ⅔ cup Dark chocolate
- 75ml/ ⅓ cup Double (heavy) cream
- 1 tsp Ground ginger
- 2 tsp Syrup from a jar of stem ginger
- 10g/ 1 tbsp Finely diced crystallised ginger
- 4 tsp Dark rum
- 3 tsp Lime juice
For dusting
- 2 tbsp Cocoa powder
- ½ tsp Ground ginger
Instructions
- Finely chop the chocolate and melt – either over a Bain Marie or carefully in the microwave – check it every 30 seconds to ensure it melts, but does not get too hot
- Heat the cream with the ground ginger, ginger syrup and crystallised ginger until scalding, but do not allow to boil
- Pour the cream over the chocolate and beat until smooth and glossy
- Add the rum and lime juice and again, beat until glossy
- Allow to cool for 20 minutes and then transfer to the fridge to set for 2-4 hours
- Sift the cocoa and ground ginger into a shallow bowl
- When set, take teaspoonfuls of the ganache and roll into balls. Gently roll the truffles in the cocoa powder until fully coated. If your hands get sticky after rolling a few truffles, it helps to first wash hands, then cool them in cold water and dry before continuing to roll more truffles
- Save the leftover cocoa-ginger mix and store the truffles in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Bring the truffles out of the fridge an hour or two before serving to bring them back to room temperature. Use the remaining cocoa powder to re-dust the truffles if necessary
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving (Approximate)
📖 Recipe
Bramble Truffles (Gin & Blackberry)
Ingredients
- 110g / ⅝ cup Milk chocolate
- 20g Butter (approx 4 ¼ tsp)
- 1 tablespoon Double (heavy) cream
- 4 teaspoon Gin
- 1 teaspoon Creme de Mure
- ½ teaspoon Lemon juice
- 6 Fresh blackberries
Coating the Truffles
- 120 g/ ⅔ cup Milk chocolate
- 5 tablespoon Icing (confectionary) sugar
Instructions
- In a small jug measure the gin, creme de mure and lemon juice. Add the blackberries and, using a cocktail muddler or the end of a rolling pin, squash them to release the juice. Strain through a fine meshed sieve and discard the pulp & seeds. Set aside
- Gently melt the chocolate over a Bain Marie. Once melted stir until completely smooth
- Cut the butter into small chunks and stir in until fully melted and incorporated
- Stir in the cream followed by the alcohol mix
- Let cool, cover and transfer to the fridge to firm up for at least 4 hours
- Line a small tin or plate with baking parchment. Take teaspoonfuls of the ganache and drop onto the parchment. Place the tin/ plate in the coldest part of the freezer for 1 hour
- Remove from freezer and roll the truffles into balls using the palms of your hands. Put the truffles back on the parchment. Wash & dry your hands after rolling a few truffles if your hands get too sticky to roll the remaining truffles well. When all truffles have been rolled into balls return to the freezer for another hour
- Melt the remaining chocolate and allow to cool for 5 minutes, then remove the truffles from the freezer
- Take a ½ teaspoon chocolate and put it into the palm of your hand. Roll a truffle in the chocolate to coat – take care to ensure the entire truffle is covered. Set aside on clean parchment. Repeat for all truffles. Leave to firm up for 10 minutes (keep the chocolate warm over a pan of hot water)
- Sieve the icing sugar into a flat bowl
- After 10 minutes roll the truffles in another layer of chocolate, using the same process as before. Roll in icing sugar and leave to dry. Repeat with remaining truffles
- Using a fine brush, dust off the excess icing sugar. Take care to work very gently to avoid cracking the chocolate
- Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days
Aimee
Oh my gosh the creamy chocolate in the middle of these truffles!!
Jane Saunders
They are my favourite for that reason.
Jessica Williams
Gorgeous photography! Your truffles look wonderful!
Jane Saunders
Thanks Jessica
Marcellina
I have never had a bramble but I think I would love it. What amazing flavours for truffles! Great work!
Jane Saunders
Thanks Marcellina – what’s not to like when gin is around, right?