Brandy and cognac cocktails
Brandy was the base of many of the first cocktails, long before gin and whisky took over. It brings dried fruit and warmth, which makes it a natural winter spirit.
A VSOP cognac is the sweet spot for mixing: smoother than a VS, without the price of an older bottle.
8 recipes
Brandy, cognac and pisco explained
Brandy is a spirit distilled from wine or other fermented fruit. Cognac is brandy made from grapes in the Cognac region of France, and pisco is a grape brandy from Peru and Chile, usually clear.
Cognac labels tell you how old it is. VS is aged at least two years, VSOP at least four and XO at least ten. VS or VSOP is best for mixing, and XO is better sipped.
Brandy also works in sparkling drinks. A Champagne cocktail adds 15 ml of Cognac or brandy to a sugar cube, Angostura bitters and well-chilled sparkling wine, which is a gentle way to try it.
Classic brandy sours and short drinks
The Sidecar is Cognac, Cointreau and lemon juice in a ratio of 2 to 1 to 1: 50 ml, 25 ml and 25 ml. Shake it hard and strain into a chilled coupe, with a sugar rim if you like.
Sours rely on balance, so measure carefully with a jigger and chill the glass first. If one tastes too sharp, add a small splash of sugar syrup, and if it is too sweet, add a little more citrus juice.
The Pisco Sour is 50 ml pisco, 25 ml lime juice, 20 ml sugar syrup and an egg white, shaken without ice first, then with ice, for a thick foam topped with Angostura bitters.
Creamy and after-dinner brandy drinks
The Brandy Alexander uses equal parts brandy, dark crème de cacao and double cream, 30 ml of each, shaken until very cold and finished with grated nutmeg. It is rich, so it works as a dessert in a glass.
Shake cream and egg white drinks hard, for about 12 seconds, so they turn silky. Skip drinks made with raw egg if you are serving anyone who should avoid it.
For more drinks to finish a meal, see after-dinner cocktails.
Brandy in winter and festive drinks
Brandy's dried-fruit warmth suits cold weather. Eggnog uses brandy with aged rum, milk, cream and eggs, and is a Christmas favourite.
The Sazerac pairs 40 ml rye with 20 ml Cognac, while the Vieux Carré uses 25 ml each of rye, Cognac and sweet vermouth. Both are strong, so sip them slowly. For more festive ideas, see Christmas cocktails.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between brandy and cognac?
Cognac is a type of brandy made from grapes in the Cognac region of France, using specific methods and ageing rules. All cognac is brandy, but not all brandy is cognac. Other brandies come from other places and can be made from different fruit.
What is the best brandy for cocktails?
A VS or VSOP cognac is the best choice for cocktails. A VSOP is aged at least four years, so it is smoother than a VS without costing as much as an XO. Save XO for sipping, because mixers will hide what makes it special.
What is in a Sidecar?
A Sidecar is Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice in a ratio of 2 to 1 to 1. This recipe uses 50 ml of Cognac, 25 ml of Cointreau and 25 ml of lemon juice, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled coupe, with an optional sugar rim.
What is in a Brandy Alexander?
A Brandy Alexander is brandy or Cognac, dark crème de cacao and double cream in equal parts. This recipe uses 30 ml of each, shaken hard with ice and strained into a coupe, then finished with a little freshly grated nutmeg.
What is pisco?
Pisco is a grape brandy from Peru and Chile. It is usually clear, and it tastes fragrant and fruity. It is the base of the Pisco Sour, which combines it with lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white and bitters.
Which brandy cocktails are good for Christmas?
Eggnog is the most traditional, made with brandy and aged rum. The Sazerac and Vieux Carré are strong, spirit-led drinks with Cognac and rye. For a lighter option, a Champagne cocktail adds 15 ml of Cognac or brandy to sparkling wine.