1. Sidecar
Ingredients
- 2 oz cognac or brandy
- 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- Sugar (for rim, optional)
Instructions
- Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar (optional).
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
- Shake well for 15-20 seconds.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
History
The Sidecar emerged during World War I, reportedly named after a military officer who arrived at a Paris bar in a motorcycle sidecar. It’s a classic that balances the warmth of brandy with citrusy brightness.
Tips
Use a high-quality cognac for a smoother taste. Adjust the lemon juice to suit your preference for tartness.
2. Brandy Alexander
Ingredients
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 oz dark crème de cacao
- 1 oz heavy cream
- Grated nutmeg (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add brandy, crème de cacao, and heavy cream.
- Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
History
This creamy delight dates back to the early 20th century, possibly created for a wedding celebration. It evolved from the gin-based Alexander into a richer brandy version.
Tips
Chill the glass beforehand for a luxurious feel. Freshly grated nutmeg elevates the flavor.
3. Vieux Carré
Ingredients
- 1 oz rye whiskey
- 1 oz cognac
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 tsp Bénédictine
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Stir for 20-30 seconds.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry (optional).
History
Born in New Orleans in the 1930s, this cocktail reflects the French Quarter’s rich heritage, blending French cognac with American whiskey.
Tips
Use a good-quality cognac to complement the rye. Stir gently to maintain clarity.
4. Between the Sheets
Ingredients
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 oz white rum
- 1 oz triple sec
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Shake well for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
History
A risqué twist on the Sidecar, this cocktail emerged during Prohibition, possibly at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, blending spirits for a bold kick.
Tips
Balance the rum and brandy carefully—too much rum can overpower the drink.
5. French Connection
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz cognac
- 1 oz amaretto
Instructions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice.
- Pour cognac over the ice.
- Add amaretto and stir gently.
History
Named after the 1971 film, this simple yet elegant drink became popular in the ‘70s, showcasing cognac’s versatility.
Tips
Serve chilled but not too cold to preserve the almond notes of amaretto.
6. Metropolitan
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz brandy
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1/2 tsp simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
History
A brandy-based riff on the Manhattan, the Metropolitan surfaced in the late 19th century, offering a softer alternative to whiskey.
Tips
Adjust the simple syrup for sweetness to your taste.
7. Pisco Sour
Ingredients
- 2 oz pisco (a type of brandy)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1 egg white
- Angostura bitters (for garnish)
Instructions
- Add pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a shaker.
- Dry shake (no ice) for 15 seconds.
- Add ice and shake again for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Add a few drops of bitters on top.
History
Originating in Peru in the 1920s, this cocktail highlights pisco, a grape brandy, and is a South American classic.
Tips
Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor. The egg white creates a silky foam—shake hard!
8. Brandy Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 oz brandy
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange slice
- Cherry
- Club soda (optional)
Instructions
- Muddle sugar cube, bitters, orange slice, and cherry in a glass.
- Add ice and brandy.
- Top with a splash of club soda if desired.
- Stir gently.
History
A Midwestern twist on the classic Old Fashioned, brandy became the star in Wisconsin during the 19th century.
Tips
Use a sweet brandy to complement the fruitiness.
9. Stinger
Ingredients
- 2 oz brandy
- 1 oz white crème de menthe
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add brandy and crème de menthe.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled glass or over crushed ice.
History
Popular in the early 20th century, the Stinger was a favorite after-dinner drink among high society.
Tips
Serve over crushed ice for a refreshing twist.
10. Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz brandy
- Champagne or sparkling wine
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Place sugar cube in a flute and soak with bitters.
- Add brandy.
- Top with chilled Champagne.
History
A 19th-century classic, this drink adds a brandy twist to the bubbly elegance of Champagne.
Tips
Use a dry Champagne to balance the sweetness.
11. Jack Rose
Ingredients
- 2 oz applejack (apple brandy)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz grenadine
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Shake well for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
History
Named possibly after a gambler or a rose, this Prohibition-era drink showcases apple brandy’s unique flavor.
Tips
Use homemade grenadine for a richer taste.
12. Corpse Reviver No. 1
Ingredients
- 1 oz cognac
- 1 oz Calvados (apple brandy)
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
History
From the 19th century, this “hair of the dog” drink was meant to revive partygoers after a long night.
Tips
Balance the apple and grape brandies for complexity.
13. Brandy Daisy
Ingredients
- 2 oz brandy
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz grenadine
- Club soda
Instructions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add brandy, lemon juice, and grenadine.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a glass with ice.
- Top with club soda.
History
A 19th-century refresher, the Daisy family of cocktails adapted to include brandy over time.
Tips
Adjust grenadine for sweetness to taste.
14. B&B
Ingredients
- 1 oz brandy
- 1 oz Bénédictine
Instructions
- Pour brandy into a glass.
- Add Bénédictine and stir gently.
- Serve neat or over ice.
History
A simple blend from the 1930s, combining brandy with the herbal liqueur Bénédictine for a refined sip.
Tips
Warm the glass slightly to enhance the aromas.
15. Harvard Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz cognac
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add all ingredients.
- Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled glass.
History
Named after the university, this sophisticated drink emerged in the late 19th century.
Tips
Use a bold cognac to stand up to the vermouth.
16. Brandy Smash
Ingredients
- 2 oz brandy
- 1 tsp sugar
- 4-5 fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
Instructions
- Muddle mint and sugar in a glass.
- Add brandy and ice.
- Top with club soda and stir.
History
A cousin of the Mint Julep, this 19th-century drink swaps bourbon for brandy.
Tips
Fresh mint is key—don’t over-muddle to avoid bitterness.
17. Sazerac (Brandy Version)
Ingredients
- 2 oz cognac
- 1 tsp absinthe
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
Instructions
- Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and discard excess.
- Muddle sugar and bitters in a mixing glass.
- Add cognac and ice, then stir.
- Strain into the absinthe-rinsed glass.
History
The original Sazerac, from 19th-century New Orleans, used cognac before rye took over.
Tips
Use just a touch of absinthe—it’s potent!
