Best Brandy Cocktail You Must Try

Brandy has been enjoyed for centuries as a luxurious and sophisticated spirit. Its rich flavor and aroma make it a popular choice for sipping on its own, but it also makes a great base for cocktails. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best brandy cocktails and what makes them so special.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail that dates back to the early 20th century. It is a simple yet elegant cocktail that combines brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. The result is a refreshing and tangy drink that is perfect for any occasion.

To make a Sidecar, you will need:

  • 2 oz. brandy
  • 1 oz. Cointreau or other orange liqueur
  • 3/4 oz. lemon juice
  • Sugar for rimming the glass (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar (optional).
  2. Fill a shaker with ice.
  3. Add brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
  4. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
  5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Brandy Alexander

The Brandy Alexander is a creamy and indulgent cocktail that is perfect for dessert or as an after-dinner drink. It combines brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream to create a rich and decadent cocktail.

To make a Brandy Alexander, you will need:

  • 1 1/2 oz. brandy
  • 1 oz. crème de cacao
  • 1 oz. heavy cream
  • Nutmeg for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream.
  3. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  4. Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.

Sazerac

The Sazerac is a classic New Orleans cocktail that is made with brandy, absinthe, and Peychaud’s bitters. It is a complex and flavorful cocktail that is perfect for those who enjoy a strong and boozy drink.

To make a Sazerac, you will need:

  • 2 oz. brandy
  • 1 tsp. absinthe
  • 1 sugar cube
  • 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
  • Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Rinse a chilled Old Fashioned glass with absinthe and discard the excess.
  2. In a separate mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube with the Peychaud’s bitters.
  3. Add brandy and ice to the mixing glass and stir until well-chilled.
  4. Strain the mixture into the prepared Old Fashioned glass.
  5. Garnish with a lemon peel.

French 75

The French 75 is a refreshing and effervescent cocktail that is perfect for brunch or a daytime event. It combines brandy, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and is topped off with sparkling wine to create a light and bubbly drink.

To make a French 75, you will need:

  • 1 oz. brandy
  • 1/2 oz. lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz. simple syrup
  • 2 oz. sparkling wine
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add brandy, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  3. Shake well and strain into a champagne flute.
  4. Top off with sparkling wine.
  5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Vieux Carré

The Vieux Carré is a classic cocktail that is named after the French Quarter in New Orleans. It is a complex cocktail that combines brandy, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and Peychaud’s bitters. The result is a rich and flavorful cocktail that is perfect for sipping slowly and savoring every sip.

To make a Vieux Carré, you will need:

  • 1 oz. brandy
  • 1 oz. rye whiskey
  • 1 oz. sweet vermouth
  • 1/4 oz. Benedictine
  • 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
  • Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Add brandy, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and Peychaud’s bitters.
  3. Stir until well-chilled.
  4. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
  5. Garnish with a lemon peel.

The Cable Car

The Cable Car is a modern twist on the classic Sidecar cocktail. It was created in the late 1990s by bartender Tony Abou-Ganim and is made with spiced rum, orange curaçao, and lemon juice. It is a delicious and refreshing cocktail that is perfect for any occasion.

To make a Cable Car, you will need:

  • 1 1/2 oz. spiced rum
  • 3/4 oz. orange curaçao
  • 3/4 oz. lemon juice
  • Sugar for rimming the glass (optional)
  • Cinnamon for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar (optional).
  2. Fill a shaker with ice.
  3. Add spiced rum, orange curaçao, and lemon juice.
  4. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
  5. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Brandy Crusta

The Brandy Crusta is a classic cocktail that dates back to the mid-19th century. It is made with brandy, orange curaçao, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and bitters. The cocktail is served in a glass rimmed with sugar and garnished with a lemon peel.

To make a Brandy Crusta, you will need:

  • 2 oz. brandy
  • 1/2 oz. orange curaçao
  • 1/2 oz. maraschino liqueur
  • 1/2 oz. lemon juice
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Sugar for rimming the glass
  • Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Rim a chilled wine glass with sugar.
  2. Fill a shaker with ice.
  3. Add brandy, orange curaçao, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and bitters.
  4. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
  5. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Conclusion

Brandy is a versatile and delicious spirit that can be used in a variety of cocktails. From the classic Sidecar to the modern Cable Car, there is a brandy cocktail for every taste and occasion. Whether you prefer a strong and boozy drink or a light and refreshing cocktail, there is a brandy cocktail that will satisfy your taste buds. So, the next time you are looking for a sophisticated and luxurious drink, consider reaching for a bottle of brandy and mixing up one of these delicious cocktails.