“Art Is Wine and Experience Is the Brandy That We Distil from It” – Robertson Davis
Brandy is a refined spirit made from fermented fruit juice. It is usually produced from grapes; however, many brandies are based on pears, apples and other sweet fruits. Apart from Gin and Vodka, Brandy also serves as an excellent base for cocktails that are ideal to unwind after a long day or even to serve the guests. Whether one picks a premium brandy like Lincoln manufactured by one of the top brandy brands in India – Hermes Distillery or any other XO (extra aged) or VSOP (very superior old pale), the end result is sure to serve the taste buds well.
So, if you are a brandy connoisseur who likes to experiment, here are 5 delicious brandy cocktails that you can prepare under 5 minutes to give your day the perfect ending. So, wear your bartender hat and get started to make these fantastic mixes.
The Brandy Alexander
Trust us, it will be a sin if you don’t try your hands at this fantastic brandy-based cocktail – The Brandy Alexander. It is a variation of a gin-based cocktail known as Alexander and tastes like heaven when prepared with brandy. All you need is a bottle of the best Indian brandy, crème de cacao, cream and freshly grated nutmeg (for garnishing). Though cognac serves as the best base for this cocktail, you can experiment and replace it with any other brandy that you like. Once you have all the ingredients by your side, add them in a shaker with ice and shake well. Garnish with grated nutmeg and serve straight up in a chilled cocktail glass.
Sidecar
The taste of this brandy is as exciting as its name. The Sidecar has seen many makeovers since its inception and is one of those cocktails that develop an instant taste. A brandy of your choice, sugar, orange peel, lemon juice and orange liqueur are all you need to go on a taste ride that is hard to forget. The first step is to coat the rim of the glass with sugar. Set the glass aside and add brandy, lemon juice and orange liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain it into the cocktail glass. Use the orange peel to garnish the drink and enjoy it chilled.
Tom & Jerry
This one is the snappiest brandy cocktail on the list. It is a traditional Christmas drink with a twist. Tom & Jerry is typically made using eggs, dark rum, brandy, warm milk and simple syrup. So, if you love eggnog and have an aversion to this type, you are in for a treat. You must know that this is not the easiest drink to make; but, it is undoubtedly worth a try. To prepare this classic you need brandy, dark rum, egg whites, cream of tartar, Tom and Jerry batter, softened butter, sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, vanilla extract and milk.
The Bacchanalian
As classy as its name, the Bacchanalian is for those with an equal love for both wine and brandy. This perfect amalgamation will take anyone to an ultimate grape adventure. You need a brandy and wine of your choice, some lemon juice and agave nectar to prepare this out-of-the-box cocktail. Put all the elements into a shaker and fill it with ice. Shake well and strain it into a cocktail glass with some fresh ice.
Between the Sheets
Last on the list is one of the easiest to make brandy cocktails – Between the Sheets. The preparation is similar to the Sidecar; however, with a simple twist. Instead of using only brandy, a little rum in place for a part of brandy will do the magic. Sip this cocktail on a warm sunny day to give the day a perfect break.
Now that you have a list of 5 delicious brandy cocktails bring home a premium brandy and bring out the bartender in you.
