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Brandy Sour

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (120)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 2/3 fl oz Cognac (brandy)
3/4 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1/2 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
1/2 fl oz Egg white (pasteurised) or Fee Brothers Fee Foam cocktail foamer
3 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters

How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Modern America Rocks

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist (discarded) and garnish with a skewered lemon slice wheel and Luxardo Maraschino Cherry sail.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN back into shaker.
  3. DRY SHAKE (without ice).
  4. FINE STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 7/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Brandy Sour contains 172 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.2 standard drinks
  • 14.51% alc./vol. (29.02° proof)
  • 16.1 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

  • Egg white (pasteurised) — Eggs
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Review

After the Whisky SourAfter the Whisky Sour, this is the most requested sour. Try it, and you'll see why – but don't omit the egg white.

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

G. M. Genovese Premium Member
I was about to criticize this drink until I realized I used 3x the amount of egg white called for... My thoughts on Take 2. Cognac Leyrat VS is good in this, but I'm leaning toward a VSOP instead... The Ango seems key, but don't overdo it. I used a split of Boker's/Bogart's first time and it didn't register... Some subtle adjustments are still in order.
score: 1
Fady Yousif
Used a Serbian Rakia for this and made a cane sugar simple syrup infused with mountain tea (popular in the Balkans) and garnished with Peychaud bitters, lovely
score: 3
Peter Barth
A nice sour with added gravitas by the cognac.
score: 1
John Hinojos Premium Member
Wonderful balance The cognac comes through with the wonderful hints of spices and lemon. Would agree, that you use the best cognac or brandy you can afford. You will be rewarded with a delightful cocktail
score: 1
Miguel Perales Premium Member
This was very nice. An easy drinker and wonderfully balanced. This ranks as one of my favorite cocktails so far, with Pisco Sour and Old Fashioned being at the top.
score: 1
Chris Dimal
I made it with a French Grape Brandy. It was only okay.
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
I've just reformulated, please try again if you have the chance. Be good to have your feedback.
score: 2
Chris Dimal
@Simon Difford I have a feeling it's not the recipe, but rather that I stuck to the letter and used a French grape brandy rather than a proper Cognac. Felt like the Cognac, considering my budget would be too extra. Would the Cognac make any difference? The Cognac with me is Camus VS Intensely Aromatic.
score: 2
Chris Dimal
@Simon Difford I remade this just now with proper Cognac (my Camus VS), and it was better in a subtle way. I was getting a tiny bit more evolution than just slight grape and sweet citrus. So maybe the Cognac does have an effect after all? I am still not sure in regards to Cognac VS grape brandy.
score: 2
Aidan Spurrill
With an egg white in the mix, shouldn't there be a dry shake?
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Yes better with a dry shake. I prefer a reverse dry shake and I have added this above. Many thanks for bringing to my attention.
score: 2
John McTague
As there are so, so many cognac cocktails, would a VSOP be the most versatile cognac to buy if just buying one bottle? I've seen some bartenders use Martell VS and others using Remy Martin VSOP but I'm looking for something that will work across the broadest range of drinks.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
A VS cognac will work but VSOP assures a touch more maturity and complexity. Remy Martin 1738 is a step up from their VSOP.
score: 2
John McTague
Thanks - I might get a bottle of that for when the cognac is the main event in a drink.
score: 0