Skip advertisement Advertisement

Brandy Cocktail

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (13)
Brandy Cocktail image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
2 fl oz Cognac (brandy)
1/4 fl oz Ferrand Dry Curaçao liqueur
1/12 fl oz Gomme syrup
2 dash Difford's Bokers Bitters By Bob's Bitters

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Bespoke Nick & Nora

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a NICK & NORA GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

  1. STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Brandy Cocktail contains 166 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 30.35% alc./vol. (60.7° proof)
  • 21.5 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

Skip advertisement Advertisement

History

One of the earliest cocktails, the Brandy Cocktail first appears in Jerry "The Professor" Thomas' 1862 The Bar-Tender's Guide & Bon Vivant's Companion.

Brandy Cocktail.
(Use small bar glass)
3 or 4 dashes of gum syrup.
2 do. Bitters (Bogart's)
1 wine-glass of brandy.
1 0r 2 dashes Curaçao.
Squeeze lemon peel; fill one-third full of ice, and stir with a spoon.

Jerry Thomas, 1862

Review

Subtle mint and citrus lightly flavour the cognac.

Skip advertisement Advertisement
Difford’s Shop logo
$0.35 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 100 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Skip advertisement Advertisement

Comments & Discussion

John CARR Premium Member
A cognac to your tastes and a judicious touch with the syrup and bitters and this can be a truly stellar cocktail. Brandy enriched by the liqueur and sugar and intensified by the bitters. Top stuff.
score: 1
William Smith
I see why this drink has been around so long. Next time I think I'll up the curaçao just a little. I took John's advice and subbed some Peychaud for the simple. Will make again.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Loved this. Did made an adjustment as (being autistic) I do not like the texture of gomme syrup so I added a few dashes of Peychaund bitters. Turned out very nicely. Great as an evening sipper.
score: 4
G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I'd have to compare side-to-side, but I found this and the Improved Brandy Cocktail to both be excellent. And the Boker's Bitters stands out just enough in both. This is inspiring me to try more cocktails (even making up my own) that are mostly a base spirit with little flair additives. Great stuff. (16 Jun 2023, 7:01a)
score: 2
Chris Brislawn
The Brandy Cocktail is one of Professor Jerry Thomas' classics, so what's it doing here with mint leaves?? I made it to try out my new bottle of Bitter Truth Bogart's Bitters, and a recipe is right on the box. Since it only has 3 ingredients (no sugar syrup necessary) and one of them is the bitters, spare no expense on the other 2. I used 2 oz of Braastadt XO cognac, which has a nice woody/ spicy character that goes well with Bogart's, and 3/4 oz of Ferrand Dry Curacao. Simple but good!
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Agreed, Chris. I've amended the recipe to be more in line with the Professor's original. I also tried 60ml (2oz) cognac to 22.5ml (3/4oz) dry curacao with 2 dashes of Bogarts which is delicious.
score: 1

View 5 comments and discussion

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$0.35 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 100 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Beverly Hills Hotel Cocktail

Beverly Hills Hotel Cocktail Image

Zingy grapefruit sourness balances rich elderflower in this gin-laced cocktail, which you might consider enjoying with your breakfast. That's how they...

View more

Cadillac Margarita (AKA Grand Margarita)

Cadillac Margarita (AKA Grand Margarita) Image

A flavoursome Margarita, with the liqueur's rich cognac and orange notes adding to this cocktail's depth of flavour.

View more

Champagne Cocktail

Champagne Cocktail Image

Starts bone dry and becomes slightly sweeter as you reach the dissolving cube at the bottom, depending on how briskly you drink of course. Back in the...

View more

Charlie Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin Image

Dilution is key to this fruity sweet 'n' sour cocktail, hence, depending on your ice, the Charlie Chaplin may benefit from the addition of a splash of...

View more

China Blue

China Blue Image

This simple turquoise cocktail tastes more adult and interesting than its colour might suggest.

View more

Tulane Aperitif

Tulane Aperitif Image

Adapted from the classic Tulane cocktail with Chambreyzette aperitif in place of strawberry liqueur.

View more