Brandy is a spirit made by distilling wine – evaporating the alcohol and flavor compounds, then condensing them – and then aging the potent liquid in oak barrels. There are several variations of brandy depending on the type of fruit or grapes it is made from: for example, Cognac is made from grapes grown in a particular region of France, and Kirschwasser is brandy made from cherry wine. Mixed drinks with brandy tend to make good aperitifs, or cocktails served before a meal.
Boston Sidecar
The Boston Sidecar is a classic, citrusy mixed drink that combines the flavors of rum and brandy. To make one, shake 3/4 ounce light rum, 3/4 ounce brandy, 3/4 ounce triple sec (an orange liquor) and the juice of half a lime over ice. Strain into a cocktail glass.
Brandy Alexander
The mixed drink Brandy Alexander is a variation on a gin cocktail called simply Alexander. The cream-based drink brings out the sweetness of the brandy. To make one, combine 1 1/2 ounces brandy, one ounce crème de cacao and one ounce heavy cream or half-and-half. Shake with ice, strain into a cocktail glass or tall wine glass, and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
Brandy Highball
A Highball is a mixed drink with a high ratio of non-alcoholic mixer to alcohol. A Brandy Highball is a very simple drink in which the flavor of the brandy is central. To make one, pour two ounces of brandy into a tall glass filled with ice, then add club soda (or ginger ale, if you prefer a sweeter drink) and a lemon wedge. Try this with different variations of brandy, such as apple brandy or cognac.
Cherry Cuba Libre
The Cuba Libre is traditionally a rum and coke with lime. Substitute cherry brandy for the rum and you have a brandy mixed drink that's a grown-up version of cherry cola. To make one, combine 1 1/2 ounces cherry brandy, five ounces cola and the juice of half a lime. Serve over ice.
Georgia Julep
The Mint Julep is a traditional American drink, made with bourbon, mint and sugar. The Georgia Julep variation is a mixed drink with peach brandy--peaches being Georgia's most famous crop. To make one, dissolve one teaspoon superfine sugar in one ounce water in a tall glass. Crush three sprigs of fresh mint on the sides of the glass to infuse the water with mint flavor, then remove them and add ice, two ounces Cognac and one ounce peach brandy. Garnish with mint.
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