apple_brandy_punch||cocktails lesser||cocktail-techniques-michael-deitsch-orange-twist-vicky-wasik||Brandy Cocktails||Brandy Cocktails||Brandy Cocktails||Brandy Cocktails

Ingredients

It's time to talk about one of the most under-appreciated liquors out there.

Let's discuss brandy. The distilled fruit-based liquor (most often made from grapes) packs around the same ABV as vodka and tequila, and the sweet spiced flavors tend to go down pretty smoothly, even if you're drinking the cheap stuff. And by the way, you can probably find a pretty decently drinkable bottle for around $15, so it pays to appreciate the underrated booze. 

Brandy is especially great with Fall flavors like apples and seasonal spices, so this is the perfect time to open up your mind and experiment with one of our favorite liquors that is totally not just for your grandparents. What are you waiting for? Give brandy a chance!

Not sure where to start? Grab your cocktail shaker and whip up one of these bad boys:

1. Brandy Apple Punch

Brandy Apple Punch

Cranberries, apple cider and maple syrup make for a festive and particularly delicious seasonal punch that is not overly sweet and just the right amount of fruity.

2. Twelve Mile Limit

Twelve Mile Limit

If you love Long Island Ice Teas, give this boozy old school Prohibition cocktail a shot. With white rum, rye whiskey and brandy, you'll really get good mileage out of this one.

3. Sidecar

Sidecar

Ah yes, the classic! We love this sour cocktail, made with brandy, lemon juice and orange liqueur! While the cheaper stuff might be nice mixed up in other stuff, we recommend splurging just a little more for Cointreau and decent brandy here if you can (though nothing too old or expensive -- that stuff should be sipped on its own). It'll make all the difference, as this is the perfect cocktail to highlight all the great flavors in a nice brandy.

4. Slow Cooker Wassail

Slow Cooker Wassail

Remember Tang, the powdered Orange Drink you used to love as a kid? Get your hands on some of that and mix it up with some apple cider and winter spices. Top it off with a nice glug of brandy, of course.

5. Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy

There's really nothing that will warm you up quite like a classic Hot Toddy, especially if you are feeling under the weather. For a brandy-based Toddy, we recommend swapping out the lemon slice for an orange one. (It's great with lemon too, though, don't get us wrong.) If you have any spiced orange tea bags lying around, USE ONE.

6. Prescription Julep

Prescription Julep

Mint Juleps are great, but have you ever tried making the same thing with rye whiskey and cognac? Rye and cognac combine perfectly to perk each other up -- trust us!

7. Fort Washington Flip

Fort Washington Flip

This sweet cocktail might sound a little wild, since it combines applejack (aka brandy made from apples), Benedictine, maple syrup and (seriously) a whole egg, but honestly it's a beautiful combination that basically tastes like fruity, boozy spiced custard in drink form. If you are a little daring, try this creamy, majestic drink. We promise, it's not scary.

8. Brandy Alexander

​Brandy Alexander

For dessert, don't forget about this classic, chocolaty, creamy drink. If you want to go big or go home, shake it and serve with crushed ice like a frappe, or forget about the cream and ice altogether and blend the whole thing with vanilla ice cream for the best boozy milkshake you ever had.

Instructions

Print This Recipe

It's time to talk about one of the most under-appreciated liquors out there.

Let's discuss brandy. The distilled fruit-based liquor (most often made from grapes) packs around the same ABV as vodka and tequila, and the sweet spiced flavors tend to go down pretty smoothly, even if you're drinking the cheap stuff. And by the way, you can probably find a pretty decently drinkable bottle for around $15, so it pays to appreciate the underrated booze. 

Brandy is especially great with Fall flavors like apples and seasonal spices, so this is the perfect time to open up your mind and experiment with one of our favorite liquors that is totally not just for your grandparents. What are you waiting for? Give brandy a chance!

Not sure where to start? Grab your cocktail shaker and whip up one of these bad boys:

1. Brandy Apple Punch

Brandy Apple Punch

Cranberries, apple cider and maple syrup make for a festive and particularly delicious seasonal punch that is not overly sweet and just the right amount of fruity.

2. Twelve Mile Limit

Twelve Mile Limit

If you love Long Island Ice Teas, give this boozy old school Prohibition cocktail a shot. With white rum, rye whiskey and brandy, you'll really get good mileage out of this one.

3. Sidecar

Sidecar

Ah yes, the classic! We love this sour cocktail, made with brandy, lemon juice and orange liqueur! While the cheaper stuff might be nice mixed up in other stuff, we recommend splurging just a little more for Cointreau and decent brandy here if you can (though nothing too old or expensive -- that stuff should be sipped on its own). It'll make all the difference, as this is the perfect cocktail to highlight all the great flavors in a nice brandy.

4. Slow Cooker Wassail

Slow Cooker Wassail

Remember Tang, the powdered Orange Drink you used to love as a kid? Get your hands on some of that and mix it up with some apple cider and winter spices. Top it off with a nice glug of brandy, of course.

5. Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy

There's really nothing that will warm you up quite like a classic Hot Toddy, especially if you are feeling under the weather. For a brandy-based Toddy, we recommend swapping out the lemon slice for an orange one. (It's great with lemon too, though, don't get us wrong.) If you have any spiced orange tea bags lying around, USE ONE.

6. Prescription Julep

Prescription Julep

Mint Juleps are great, but have you ever tried making the same thing with rye whiskey and cognac? Rye and cognac combine perfectly to perk each other up -- trust us!

7. Fort Washington Flip

Fort Washington Flip

This sweet cocktail might sound a little wild, since it combines applejack (aka brandy made from apples), Benedictine, maple syrup and (seriously) a whole egg, but honestly it's a beautiful combination that basically tastes like fruity, boozy spiced custard in drink form. If you are a little daring, try this creamy, majestic drink. We promise, it's not scary.

8. Brandy Alexander

​Brandy Alexander

For dessert, don't forget about this classic, chocolaty, creamy drink. If you want to go big or go home, shake it and serve with crushed ice like a frappe, or forget about the cream and ice altogether and blend the whole thing with vanilla ice cream for the best boozy milkshake you ever had.

8 Cocktails That Prove You Need To Drink More Brandy

It's time to talk about one of the most under-appreciated liquors out there.

Let's discuss brandy. The distilled fruit-based liquor (most often made from grapes) packs around the same ABV as vodka and tequila, and the sweet spiced flavors tend to go down pretty smoothly, even if you're drinking the cheap stuff. And by the way, you can probably find a pretty decently drinkable bottle for around $15, so it pays to appreciate the underrated booze. 

Brandy is especially great with Fall flavors like apples and seasonal spices, so this is the perfect time to open up your mind and experiment with one of our favorite liquors that is totally not just for your grandparents. What are you waiting for? Give brandy a chance!

Not sure where to start? Grab your cocktail shaker and whip up one of these bad boys:

1. Brandy Apple Punch

Brandy Apple Punch

Cranberries, apple cider and maple syrup make for a festive and particularly delicious seasonal punch that is not overly sweet and just the right amount of fruity.

2. Twelve Mile Limit

Twelve Mile Limit

If you love Long Island Ice Teas, give this boozy old school Prohibition cocktail a shot. With white rum, rye whiskey and brandy, you'll really get good mileage out of this one.

3. Sidecar

Sidecar

Ah yes, the classic! We love this sour cocktail, made with brandy, lemon juice and orange liqueur! While the cheaper stuff might be nice mixed up in other stuff, we recommend splurging just a little more for Cointreau and decent brandy here if you can (though nothing too old or expensive -- that stuff should be sipped on its own). It'll make all the difference, as this is the perfect cocktail to highlight all the great flavors in a nice brandy.

4. Slow Cooker Wassail

Slow Cooker Wassail

Remember Tang, the powdered Orange Drink you used to love as a kid? Get your hands on some of that and mix it up with some apple cider and winter spices. Top it off with a nice glug of brandy, of course.

5. Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy

There's really nothing that will warm you up quite like a classic Hot Toddy, especially if you are feeling under the weather. For a brandy-based Toddy, we recommend swapping out the lemon slice for an orange one. (It's great with lemon too, though, don't get us wrong.) If you have any spiced orange tea bags lying around, USE ONE.

6. Prescription Julep

Prescription Julep

Mint Juleps are great, but have you ever tried making the same thing with rye whiskey and cognac? Rye and cognac combine perfectly to perk each other up -- trust us!

7. Fort Washington Flip

Fort Washington Flip

This sweet cocktail might sound a little wild, since it combines applejack (aka brandy made from apples), Benedictine, maple syrup and (seriously) a whole egg, but honestly it's a beautiful combination that basically tastes like fruity, boozy spiced custard in drink form. If you are a little daring, try this creamy, majestic drink. We promise, it's not scary.

8. Brandy Alexander

​Brandy Alexander

For dessert, don't forget about this classic, chocolaty, creamy drink. If you want to go big or go home, shake it and serve with crushed ice like a frappe, or forget about the cream and ice altogether and blend the whole thing with vanilla ice cream for the best boozy milkshake you ever had.