How to Drink Brandy the Right Way: Elevate Your Experience

Discover tips, techniques, and etiquette to fully appreciate this exquisite spirit

Brandy, an often overlooked spirit, is a versatile drink that deserves a closer look. Whether you're new to it or a seasoned connoisseur, there are ways to savour this distilled spirit. So, let's dive into the world of brandy.

What is Brandy?

Brandy is a distilled spirit made from fermented fruit, with grapes as the standard base. The name comes from the Dutch brandewijn, which translates to burnt wine. The word refers to distillation that turns wine into brandy.

You can find brandy in regions worldwide — like Metaxa and Cognac — each with a unique way of making this distilled spirit. When you taste brandy, it can remind you of wine because of its fruity character that results from ageing in oak barrels.

How to Drink Brandy

Now, the exciting part: what is the best way to drink brandy?

While some like brandy neat or with a drop of water, you may enjoy it in cocktails. So here are some popular brandy-based mixed drinks to try:

Brandy Alexander
Creamy and cocoa-flavoured — this cocktail is like an adult hot chocolate with a warming touch of brandy.
Sidecar
Invented during the prohibition era in the 1920s, this sweet and citrusy brandy cocktail has orange liqueur and lemon juice.
Milk Punch
This intense and tasty cocktail has syrup and vanilla.
Sazerac
A historical gem made with Cognac or rye whiskey, absinthe, sugar, and Peychaud's Bitters.
Brandy Sour
King Farouk of Egypt requested a drink that looked like tea but contained brandy, and that's how this cocktail came to be. It has a delightful blend of local brandy, lemon, and other ingredients.

Add brandy to sangria or mulled wine to create a delicious twist. With different fruit-based brandies like apricot, cherry, peach, and apple, you have a lot of combinations to try.

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Adding Water or Soda to Brandy

Brandy Selection and Serving

Different types of brandies — like Cognac and Armagnac—have unique characteristics. Here's a quick guide:

VS (Very Special)
Young and straightforward, ideal for cocktails or with soda.
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale)
Aged longer and more complex; enjoy it neat or in complex cocktails.
Napoleon
Aged for six years, it is an excellent choice for sipping over a large ice block.
XO (Extra Old)
The most complex and aged brandy, perfect over a big block of ice.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Finally, let's address some common mistakes when drinking brandy:

Serving brandy too cold: Brandy should be enjoyed at a temperature of around 18-19 degrees Celsius—serving it too cold can mask its flavours and aromas.
Adding too much ice: While a bit of ice can be nice, too much can lead to excessive dilution, which may compromise the drink's character.
Using the wrong glass: Select an appropriate glassware, like a brandy snifter, to enhance your experience.

Mastering the Art of Brandy Appreciation

The key to enjoying brandy is in the details, like choosing the right type, serving it at the correct temperature, and picking the appropriate glassware.

If you're eager to explore and discover a wide range of brandies, head to Paneco, where you'll find an extensive selection to suit all preferences and occasions. Cheers to your next brandy adventure.