Pine Valley Bramble Food

PINE VALLEY BRAMBLE

Steps:

• Combine the hibiscus tea, gin, Blackberry Simple Syrup, lemon juice and creme de mure in a pitcher. Taste for balance and adjust as necessary. Pour into rocks glasses over fresh ice, garnish with a blackberry and serve.
• First make the simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool completely.
• Add 1 cup of the cooled simple syrup to a blender with the berries and blend until smooth. Strain out the seeds and pulp before using.
• Keep any remaining simple syrup in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 1 week.

BRAMBLE PANCAKE CAKE

Steps:

• Add flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda to a large bowl. Whisk to combine. Add milk, gin, melted butter, lemon juice, zest and egg to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined and slightly lumpy.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray or brush with melted butter. Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup batter to the skillet for each pancake. Cook until golden brown on the bottom and bubbles begin to form on the surface, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook until golden brown on reverse side, about 2 more minutes. Transfer to a plate and continue with remaining batter.
• Add the heavy cream and maple syrup to a large chilled bowl. Mix until stiff peaks form using a hand mixer. Add mint and fold to combine.
• Spread the whipped cream on each pancake.
• Stack the pancakes with cream and a few blackberries followed by another pancake with cream and berries. Continue in this manner, finishing with cream and berries on top. Serve!

BLACKBERRY BRAMBLE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let cool to room temperature.
• In a rocks glass, muddle 4 of the blackberries, 1/2 mint sprig and 1 ounce of the cooled simple syrup. Add 2 ounces of the vodka and 3 ounces of the blackberry juice, and fill with crushed ice. Stir gently. Top off with 2 ounces of the club soda. Garnish with a blackberry and a mint sprig.