Brandy cocktails are perfect for Christmas. If you thought that brandy was just for setting your figgy pudding on fire – think again! A crafted, mellow brandy like French-made Bardinet, produced in Bordeaux since 1857 and one of the UK’s leading French Brandies, is great for drinking on its own, but it’s also perfect for cocktails.
Brandy has been around for centuries. It was distilled in France in the early 14th century and was said to be so good for your health that it was named “l’eau e vie”, the water of life. In France it’s called that to this day.
Bardinet Pomme Canelle
Apple and cinnamon are really festive flavours that match really well with the vanilla and dry fruits notes of French Bardinet Brandy, make this the perfect Christmas tipple. This recipe from French mixologist Arnaud Volte of the London EDITIONS Hotel is adds festive flair to yuletide celebrations.
35ml Bardinet Brandy
15ml lemon juice
15ml cinnamon syrup
20ml clear apple juice
Top soda water
To make cinnamon syrup:
100ml water
100g caster sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
In a pan, heat up the water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Cut and add the sticks, infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. Let the syrup cool before straining.
To make the cocktail: Mix all the ingredients in a wine glass and top with soda. Garnish with a slice of lemon wedge and a cinnamon stick.
Bardinet & Ginger
The perfect any time drink!
Mix 50ml Bardinet Brandy with ginger ale in a highball glass.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
Brandy Sidecar
This classic drink has been around for almost 100 years. It can be made with Cognac, Armagnac or brandy and features Cointreau from Angers. And if you want to up the sweet side of this sweet-sour classic, coat the rim of the glass in sugar.
50ml Bardinet brandy
25ml fresh lemon juice
25ml Cointreau
Handful of ice
Garnish with lemon or orange twist
Shake all the ingredients together, strain into a chilled glass and garnish!
Christmassy Brandy Alexander
80ml Bardinet brandy
50ml Creme de cacao
50ml double cream
Handful of ice
Garnish:
1 teaspoon each of golden caster sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon
To make the garnish, mix the spices and sugar together and leave to one side.
Mix the liquids together with the ice and shake. Strain into a glass and sprinkle the spices over the top. Seriously festive and great for an after-dinner treat! And it tastes of Christmas…
Brandy Metropolitan
More than 100 years old, it’s a classic and very grown up. You can add half a teaspoon of sugar syrup for a sweeter tasting mix.
60ml Bardinet brandy
30ml sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Shake all the ingredients together with a handful of ice and strain into a glass.
Santé! Cheers!
