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Burnt Fuselage

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (203)
Burnt Fuselage image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 fl oz Cognac (brandy)
1 fl oz Grand Marnier or other cognac orange liqueur
1 fl oz Strucchi Dry Vermouth
1 dash Orange Bitters by Angostura (optional)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon (or orange) zest twist.

Method

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

Garnish

  1. Express lemon (or orange) zest twist over 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 Burnt Fuselage contains 179 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.7 standard drinks
  • 25.71% alc./vol. (51.42° proof)
  • 23.3 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

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

History

The Burnt Fuselage first appears in the "Cocktails Around Town" section of Harry MacElhone's 1927 Barflies and Cocktails where he lists cocktails of regulars ("Men About Town") at his Harry's New York Bar.

To quote MacElhone, "Chuck Kerwood takes to the air so frequently that he likes a stiff steadier when he comes down to earth. The famous flying man calls his concoction the 'Burnt Fuselage'. And believe me, 1/3 Grand Marnier, 1/3 Cognac, and 1/3 French vermouth, and your own fuselage will be warm, to say the least." From Philadelphia, USA Colonel C.W. (Chuck) Kerwood, was President of the International League of Aviators and was apparently known as the "wild man of aviation."

More cocktails by Harry MacElhone

Review

Cognac and Grand Marnier are well-suited bedfellows in this spirit-forward "stiff steadier". Dry vermouth combines with these surprisingly well. Adding balance and herbal complexity.

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$1.40 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 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.

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* 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.

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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Kristina Premium Member
Was too sweet for me. With 45ml of Cognac is perfect.
score: 2
Ryan Madden Premium Member
Great suggestion! Really liked the additional half oz.
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Tasty and orangy, sufficiently boozy, I feel steadier already. The dry vermouth really makes this work. Slow sips, so much flavor. Dolin dry, Dry Curaçao, Darvelle Freres V.S.O.P., Regans, Orange Bitters.♡
score: 2
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Oh, and I went with the lemon zest.
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
Burnt fuselage indeed. The orange colour and flavour come with a warmth and intensity that by some sensory magic conjures the title. I happened to use a blood orange twist which unintentionally but very happily amplified the effect!
score: 2
John CARR Premium Member
I’d be tempted to add a dash of bitter truth orange bitters. Has the rawness and unapologetic flavour intensity of proper vintage cocktails. 🧡
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Good call. I've added orange bitters to our recipe.
score: 1
John CARR Premium Member
Repeating and again felt the urge to reach for the orange bitters bottle (even without checking previous notes) to add a little aroma and bite.
score: 2
Annabelle Egginton
This is a sophisticated warm drink to sip before or after dinner. If after dinner pais well with some petits fours such as financiers and palmiers.
score: 3
denner ross
used 3/4 oz GM, and 1.5 oz cognac with 1 oz Noilly Dry...less sweet and more spirit forward.
score: 5
Joseph Murray
This simple drink now added to my short list of favorites! Ingredients combine to produce a spiked honey flavor
score: 2
Beth Schneider
A super sipper (pun intended)! Not too sweet as John notes.
score: 1
Scott from Fife Premium Member
Agree. A perfectly well balanced pre dinner blend of flavours. The perfect mid week smooth snifter !
score: 1
Nathalie O Flynn Premium Member
Just realised I had noted this one to make some while back and forgot till I visited the 20 best cognac cocktails list yesterday. Being an easy cocktail to make and having started to show my husband how to make some too, I thought this was a good one to give him to make and it was great, bless.
score: 3

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Difford’s Shop logo
$1.40 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 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

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