Brandy, with its rich and warm taste, has been the drink of choice for many over the centuries. Originating from the distillation of wine, it boasts a history as rich as its flavor. Whether sipped neat, on the rocks, or as a key ingredient in cocktails, brandy can be versatile and delightful. Here are 12 brandy drink recipes that you need to try:
1. Classic Brandy Alexander
Ingredients:
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 oz crème de cacao (dark)
- 1 oz heavy cream
- Nutmeg for garnish
Directions:
- Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
- Add all ingredients.
- Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with grated nutmeg.
2. Sidecar
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz brandy
- ¾ oz Cointreau
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- Sugar for rim
Directions:
- Rim the edge of a cocktail glass with sugar.
- In a shaker with ice, combine brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
3. Brandy Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 2 oz brandy
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 sugar cube
- Orange slice and cherry for garnish
Directions:
- Muddle the sugar cube and bitters at the bottom of an old-fashioned glass.
- Add an ice cube and the brandy.
- Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
4. French Connection
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz brandy
- 1 ½ oz Amaretto
Directions:
- Pour both ingredients into an old-fashioned glass with ice.
- Stir well.
5. Pisco Sour
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Pisco (a type of brandy from Peru and Chile)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Angostura bitters
Directions:
- Combine pisco, lime juice, syrup, and egg white in a shaker.
- Dry shake (without ice) for a few seconds.
- Add ice and shake again until chilled.
- Strain into a glass and drop a few dashes of Angostura bitters on top.
6. B & B
Ingredients:
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 oz Bénédictine
Directions:
- In an old-fashioned glass with ice, pour both ingredients.
- Stir.
7. Stinger
Ingredients:
- 2 oz brandy
- ¾ oz white crème de menthe
Directions:
- Pour ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir well.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
8. Between the Sheets
Ingredients:
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 oz light rum
- 1 oz Cointreau
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass.
9. Autumn Brandy Apple
Ingredients:
- 1 oz brandy
- 2 oz apple cider
- ½ oz maple syrup
- Apple slices for garnish
Directions:
- Combine brandy, cider, and maple syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with apple slices.
10. Cherry Brandy Fizz
Ingredients:
- 2 oz brandy
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Cherry brandy
- Soda water
Directions:
- In a shaker with ice, combine brandy, lemon juice, and syrup.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a glass, top with a splash of cherry brandy and soda water.
11. Metropolitan
Ingredients:
- 2 oz brandy
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Directions:
- Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir well.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
12. Brandy Daisy
Ingredients:
- 2 oz brandy
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz Grenadine
- Club soda
- Maraschino cherry and lemon slice for garnish
Directions:
- Shake brandy, lemon juice, and Grenadine in a shaker with ice.
- Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a cherry and lemon slice.
Brandy, with its distinguished flavors, has played a fundamental role in the evolution of cocktails. These 12 brandy recipes are just a glimpse of the vast possibilities. Whether you’re an ardent admirer or a budding enthusiast, there’s a brandy cocktail out there waiting for you. Cheers!
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