Brandy is the star liquor in several classic cocktails. Although some of the most popular brandy cocktails are now lost due to the passage of time and dusty bartending books, others remain in demand.
These drink recipes are a nice introduction to mixing with brandy. This collection shows the spirit’s versatility. It can be used to make sour or sweet drinks, as well as warm winter cocktails. With a few exceptions, they are also among the simplest cocktail recipes–accenting brandy with common bar ingredients–and anyone can mix them up in minutes.
A brandy cocktail is a great way to make a brandy drink more special. It also fits perfectly into the definition of a cocktail. This recipe combines brandy cocktails and curacao. Then, it is finished with both Angostura (and Peychaud’s Bitters). It is a subtle, elegant, and delightful drink.
The brandy daisy is very similar and one of the better “daisy” cocktails. You will need to add a few drops of rum, curacao simple syrup, lemon juice, and soda. This delicate cocktail has a well-balanced flavor and is ideal for your finer brandies and cognacs.
Brandy is the metropolis, just as whiskey has the Manhattan and gin the martini. This classic recipe combines brandy and sweet vermouth with simple syrup to make a refreshing drink that’s great for before dinner.
As many brandy recipes demonstrate, simpler is often better, and no cocktail proves this more than the B&B. It is equal parts of brandy and the herbal liqueur, Benedictine, served in a snifter. This heavenly drink will showcase the best brandies in style.
A New Orleans classic, the Vieux Carre is an interesting cocktail with layers of flavor. In it, cognac and rye whiskey join up with sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters. It is a memorable cocktail because of its complexity.
The brandy Alexander is a delicious creamy delight and one of the oldest dessert cocktails. It only requires three ingredients: brandy, cream, and creme de cacao. The result is quick and delicious for sweet tooths.
The sidecar has seen many makeovers over the years, and it is one that you can easily adapt to your personal taste. The recipe uses your brandy of choice (often cognac or Armagnac), orange liqueur, and lemon juice. This is a great brandy sour.
This sour cocktail will be loved by fans of the sidecar drink family. Between the sheets is nearly identical, with its brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice mix, but it tosses in light rum for a fun twist. The best thing about this recipe is the fact that all three liquors are poured equally.
Another interpretation of the sidecar, the Embassy cocktail also pairs brandy, rum, and orange liqueur. The twist in this recipe is the switch to lime juice and a dash of bitters. Mixing all these drinks together for a side by side tasting is fun.
The result of combining brandy with champagne is pure elegance. Champagne cocktails are timeless drinks that are perfect for special occasions. The stunning visual effect of the fountain of bubbles created by the sugar cube is an added bonus.
When you want to celebrate something really special, the Champagne bowler is a fabulous choice. The recipe relies on fresh strawberries and a combination of cognac, still white wine, and sparkling wine. It is delicious in its simplicity and a joy to drink.
The classic cobbler cocktail is straightforward, requiring brandy (or whiskey), simple syrup, and club soda. Just like any dessert cobbler, the fruit makes this drink stand out. This drink can be made with standard oranges or lemons, but it really needs any seasonal fruit that you can find.
Stemming from the early 1800s, the brandy smash has been satisfying drinkers for nearly 200 years, so you know it’s good. This recipe is a bit like a mint julep, though it takes a slightly different approach in the muddle, and, of course, it prefers brandy over bourbon.
The Saratoga cocktail is where the metropolitan and Manhattan meet. The recipe pairs sweet vermouth and bitters with both brandy and whiskey (rye is recommended). This combination is both refreshing and soothing, and it could be anyone’s favorite.
Some variations on the metropolitan opt for dry vermouth rather than sweet, and that’s what you’ll find in the chrysanthemum. However, this recipe gets a little more interesting because absinthe plays a crucial role in defining the final flavor.
The star cocktail is best described as a metropolitan for apple brandy. You can get a taste of the 19th century classic by using real apple brandy (eau-de-vie distilled from the fruit) instead of the sweetened liquor version. The recipe also introduces you to gomme syrup, an old-school version of simple syrup that’s easy to make at home.
Several recipes have taken on the corpse reviver name. The gin version is more popular, but the “corpse revival no. 2″ drink is still very popular. 1” pairs brandy with apple brandy and sweet vermouth. It’s a delightful drink that is an excellent alternative to the metropolitan.
Appearing in the very first printed bartending guide, the Japanese cocktail embodies everything that makes these drinks timeless. Cognac is the preferred brandy type. It’s also accented by fresh lime juice, bitters, and cognac. The secret ingredient to its appeal is orgeat syrup.
Three ingredients go into the Baltimore bracer. It may be a cocktail for acquired tastes, though the experience of drinking brandy, anisette liqueur, and egg white is one you won’t forget.
Back in the 1700s, milk punch was a trendy beverage for gatherings. This 1862 recipe makes one drink. This is a great drink to have with a cold beverage or as a nightcap. To make it, you’ll shake brandy, syrup, and milk–adding an egg and vanilla extract if you like–then dust it with nutmeg.
Despite its name, not a single drop of coffee goes into the coffee cocktail. This classic uses brandy and ruby ports, sweetening it with syrup, small eggs, and some nutmeg. For an after-dinner drink, it’s as enjoyable as a cup of coffee.
There is an actual cocktail called the nightcap, and it’s a completely different drink than you might expect. This 1930s classic adds an anise liqueur to the common brandy and curacao mix. The egg yolk gives the drink an eggy taste, which is different from the white, which creates nice foam. It’s quite interesting to say the very least.
Eggnog is an iconic drink of the Christmas season. Although there are many variations of this drink today, brandy is the original spirit that was used to spike it. In a traditional eggnog recipe, brandy is beaten with eggs, milk, and common kitchen ingredients. For the best flavor, plan ahead and allow it to rest overnight.
Long a holiday tradition, the Tom & Jerry is a classic. The Tom & Jerry is made from brandy, dark rum, warm milk, and a special spiced batter. It can be prepared in advance. Even if you don’t like eggnog this recipe may be a good choice.
If eggy holiday drinks really aren’t your thing, mulled wine should hit the spot. Flavored with mulling spices, this warm brandy, and red wine punch has an even longer history. Although brandy is considered a modern addition, it seems that mulled wine has been around since Roman times.
