Amazing Brandy and Cognac Cocktails

The fad for brandy and cognac cocktails can be attributed to the craze for television series like Madmen. Most can simply be made in a chilled cocktail shaker with ice but if you really want to whip up a froth with these you can use a blender or Magic Bullit. However, if you want these to taste the way they did when Dorothy Parker and the gang gathered around the Algonquin Round table then you will make due with the vintage cocktail shaker.

Between The Sheets

* 1 ounce brandy

* 1 ounce light rum

* 1 ounce Cointreau

* 1/2 ounce lemon juice

Shake with ice. Strain into cocktail glass. This is a very elegant and pretty little drink that tastes smooth and tart at the same time. It is quite heavy and best suits serving at a winter cocktail party. It is very syrupy and you can get drunk on this fast so take it easy.

Brandy Alexander

* 1 1/2 ounce brandy

* 1 ounce cream

* 1 ounce crème de cacao (brown)

Shake with ice. Strain into cocktail glass and serve. This is one of those drinks that is practically a dessert in a glass. You can garnish it in many ways. A cherry and chocolate shavings is quite classic. You can also serve it with a dime of pure white chocolate, Hershey’s kisses or even a dollop of whipped cream.

French Quarter

* 2 1/2 ounces brandy

* 3/4 ounce Lillet

Stir with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a thin quarter wheel of lemon. or orange and a cherry. This is a tart cocktail that is very classic. Make sure the wheel of lemon is speared with an old fashioned cocktail spear.

Nicky Finn

* 1 ounces brandy

* 1 ounce Cointreau

* 1 ounce lemon juice

* Dash Pernod

Shake with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry or a lemon zest. This is a strong little cocktail so there will be no drinking and driving afterward the party is over.

Saratoga

* 3/4 ounce brandy

* 3/4 ounce rye whiskey

* 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth

* 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Stir with ice. Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of lemon.

This is sometimes known as a Brandy Martini.

Sidecar

* 2 ounces Brandy (cognac)

* 1 ounce Cointreau

* 1/2 ounce lemon juice

Shake with ice. Strain into cocktail glass. You can garnish this with the classic cocktail sword speared with fruit and cherries if you like. A lemon paired with a cherry works best.

Stinger

* 1 ounce brandy

* 1/4 ounce white crème de menthe

Stir with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh sprigs of mint, and serve with a big glass of ice water because this is one of those cocktails that is really sweet!