4 Ways To Drink Brandy

Brandy is a sophisticated spirit with a subtle taste and interesting flavors that develop over time. For many, it is a highly influential after-dinner beverage that can round off elaborate evenings. 

It is normally enjoyed at room temperature or even warm, and has been credited with health benefits that help pull a cough out of the chest. This is largely due to the way it warms the drinker from the inside. 

Brandy is an interesting beverage with lots of unique rituals. These include slightly heating it up in a snifter to release some of the harsher alcoholic taste and allowing those who consume it to enjoy the warmth and slightly fruity taste. 

These are four ways that you can drink brandy, with some interesting takes on classic cocktails. 

1. Neat

Of course, many people enjoy the classic experience of drinking brandy neat. Unlike other spirits, it is not served over ice when it is neat. The complex beverage is usually served in unique glasses that allow the drinker to experience a complete flavor profile with the aromas and taste. 

There are plenty of brandy glasses that have their own spin on the classic design, but you can find cut crystal brandy glasses available in the uk. Make sure you search for something that complements your style and allows you to appreciate the deep flavor profile of brandy. 

2. Sidecar

Another way that you can drink brandy is in the classic cocktail known as a sidecar. It can be enjoyed using bourbon and cherry brandy, but you can also stick to the classic brandy in this for a well-rounded, slightly sour tasting cocktail. 

Combine brandy, lemon juice, and triple sec into a cocktail shaker that has ice inside, and shake well. Then, you can strain it into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with an orange or lemon slice. It is so simple yet effective that it is worth making a round of sidecar cocktails at your next dinner party. 

3. Caffѐ Corretto

Everybody loves a boozy coffee, and the caffe corretto celebrates rich tasting coffee and the interesting flavors of brandy in this warm cocktail. Traditionally, caffe corretto is made using equal parts espresso and grappa. This is a brandy made using solid grape leftovers in the winemaking process. 

The caffe corretto is widely enjoyed across Italy in particular, and it helps to use some of the finest coffee making processes available. Luckily, if you have a coffee machine at home, you can create your own caffe corretto. 

Combine equal parts espresso and grappa and adjust to taste. This is a delicious tasting beverage that lifts the spirits and warms the drinker from the inside. 

For those who prefer milky coffee but still want to add brandy, it is worth experimenting with different combinations to see what type of flavors and aromas you can achieve. Play around with the amount of creamer or milk added, and adjust the amount of grappa until you have found something that works for you. 

4. Vieux Carré

Another way that you can use brandy to create a sophisticated cocktail that celebrates flavors of anise, nutmeg, citrus, and vanilla is by making a vieux carré. It is both complex and well-balanced at the same time. If you want to get the party started with a sophisticated cocktail, this is the one for you. 

Combine brandy, rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, benedictine, and a dash of bitters in a chilled cocktail glass containing ice. Then, mix before serving and garnish with a slice of orange or lemon rind. 

Because of the interesting combination of spirits within this cocktail, it is worth pacing yourself with this drink. Enjoy the interesting taste and unique flavor profile achieved by mixing some high-quality spirits together. 

Summary

There are so many interesting ways that brandy can be combined with other spirits and additional ingredients to create great-tasting cocktails. It is typically best enjoyed slightly warm, and you could prefer to drink brandy neat from a classic crystal glass. 

This is perfect for an end-of-day indulgence with subtly sweet aromas caused by the fruity influence. However, if you want to experience the different ways that brandy is used and combined, it could be an interesting journey around the world to explore the interesting cocktail recipes and ways that the drink has been celebrated. 

Make sure you try hot, cold, and room temperature combinations to see how this affects the overall taste. From blending it with Italian coffee to adding iconic French spirits, brandy is enjoyed all over the world.