How To Make Brandy Cocktails

Need to know how to make brandy cocktails? Brandy and brandy cocktails have an air of sophistication about them, and the at-home bartender should know how to make a few brandy cocktails. The next time you want to impress your friends, try one of these brandy cocktails.

1. The Sidecar is a classic brandy cocktail, often using Cognac, a brandy produced in the Cognac region of France. To make a Sidecar, you will need:

• Cocktail shaker
• Chilled cocktail glass
• Fine sugar
• Lemon
• Cognac or brandy
• Cointreau or triple sec
• Fresh lemon juice
• Ice

1. Rub the rim of the cocktail glass with a lemon wedge. Dip the rim in sugar.
2. Add 1-1/2 ounces Cognac or brandy, 3/4 ounce Cointreau or triple sec, and 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice to shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
3. Strain into the cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel twist, if desired.

2. Another classic brandy cocktail is the Stinger. A Stinger can actually be made with any liquor, but its origins are as a brandy cocktail. To make a Stinger, you will need:

• Glass for mixing
• Stirring spoon
• Old-fashioned glass
• Brandy
• White creme de menthe
• Ice

1. Mix 1-1/2 ounces brandy and 1-1/2 ounces white creme de menthe in a mixing glass with ice with a stirring spoon.
2. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with crushed ice.

3. If you're looking for a brandy cocktail with a hint of apricot flavor, try the Midnight Cocktail. To make this brandy cocktail, you will need:

• Chilled cocktail glass
• Cocktail shaker
• Ice
• Apricot brandy
• Triple sec
• Fresh lemon juice

1. Add 1-1/2 ounces apricot brandy 3/4 ounce triple sec, and 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously.
2. Strain into cocktail glass.