Brandy

Brandy is a liquor made originally from the grape skins. There are other varieties which include whole grapes or other fruit, and varieties that get their names owing to their origins or processing. Anyway, brandy is considered a fine liquor to be taken as an after-meal drink. This doesn't mean there aren't cocktails based on brandy, of course.

The following liquors are varieties of brandy:

+ the Italian grappa
+ the Spanish jerez
+ the French cognac
+ the Peruvian pisco

Also, fruit brandy is usually made from cherries (cherry brandy), apples (applejack) or other fruit.

Alexander

ice
1 oz. brandy
1 oz. brown cacao cream
2 oz. evaporated milk

An Alexander (named after the emperor) is made by mixing all the ingredients in a shaker and serving, without ice, in a champagne glass. To garnish, add some grated nutmeg over the drink.

B & B

ice
1 oz. brandy
1 oz. Benedictine

The B&B is an after-meal cocktail. Prepare one pouring the ingredients above over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Add a stirrer to garnish.

Bible

ice
1 1/2 oz. Oporto
1/2 oz. brandy
1/2 oz. sugar syrup
1/4 oz. brown cacao cream
1 egg

It is good to drink a bible as a restorative cocktail, for the ingredients it includes. To make one, just mix all the ingredients in a shaker and serve, without ice, in a champagne glass. Add some grated nutmeg over the drink to garnish.

Brandy cobbler

crushed ice
1/4 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. sugar syrup
1/2 oz. red curaçao
1/4 oz. maraschino liquor
2 oz. brandy

The brandy cobbler is a direct cocktail, so you need to pour all the above-mentioned ingredients in a long-drink glass, and then mix it. The usual garnish is some chopped fruit inside the glass, a couple of straws and a slice of orange as a lid.

Brandy crusta

ice
4 or 5 drops of angostura bitters
1/4 oz. lemon juice
1/2 oz. sugar syrup
1/2 oz. maraschino liquor
1/2 oz. red curaçao
2 oz. brandy

Brandy also has its crusta cocktail. To prepare one, you only need to mix all ingredients in a shaker and then serve them, without ice, in a sours glass crowned with sugar. The usual garnish is a twist of lemon or orange.

Brandy fix

crushed ice
2 tbsp. icing sugar
1/4 oz. lemon juice
1 oz. cherry brandy
1 1/2 oz. brandy
fill with water

Unlike other bartenders, I make a brandy fix without a shaker. I just pour the lemon juice, the cherry brandy and the brandy in an old-fashioned glass, and then I add the icing sugar and a little water. To garnish, a slice of lemon should be enough, but I also include a stirrer.

French connection

ice
1 1/2 oz. brandy
1 oz. amaretto

French Connection is another after-meal cocktail. Prepare one pouring the ingredients above over ice in an old-fashioned glass, and add a stirrer to garnish.

Stinger

ice
1 1/2 oz. brandy
1 oz. white mint cream

The stinger is another after-meal cocktail, so make it pouring the ingredients in an old-fashioned glass. Garnish with a stirrer.

Knowledge + Food and beverages