Brandy Sour
The Brandy Sour is a delightful cocktail that combines the rich, smooth flavors of brandy with the tartness of fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup.
- 5 min
- Easy
- Whiskey sour glass
- 5 ingredients
Brandy Sour
Ingredients
- Brandy2 oz
- LemonJuice of 1/2
- Powdered sugar½ tsp
- Lemon½ slice
- Cherry1
Method
- Shake brandy, juice of lemon, and powdered sugar with ice and strain into a whiskey sour glass.
- Decorate with the lemon slice, top with the cherry, and serve.
What you need
Nothing fancy. Here is what to look for. We earn a small cut if you buy through these links, at no cost to you.
A shaker that seals
Two weighted tins beat three-piece shakers. They chill faster and never jam.
See on Amazon ↗A Hawthorne strainer
The coiled spring holds back ice and pulp. Look for a tight coil.
See on Amazon ↗The hero bottle
A spirit distilled from wine or other fermented fruit, usually grapes, and often aged in oak. It's made all over the world, and most bottles are around 40% ABV. Warm dried fruit, vanilla and oak, like fruitcake with a kick. Young bottles are sweeter and sharper, and older ones are smoother and woodier.
See 51 Brandy drinksWhere it comes from
The Brandy Sour stands as a timeless classic within the sour family of cocktails, dating back to the 19th century when spirit-and-citrus combinations became standardized recipes. This elegant drink showcases brandy's natural sweetness and complexity, making it an ideal base spirit for the balanced sour formula. Its enduring popularity reflects the universal appeal of this simple yet perfectly balanced cocktail formula across generations of bartenders and drinkers.
Tips from the bar
- Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for superior acidity and flavor
- balance the citric bite with measured simple syrup for perfect equilibrium
- shake vigorously with ice for adequate dilution and chill
- strain into a chilled coupe glass for elegant presentation
- garnish with a cherry and orange wheel for visual sophistication
Twists worth trying
- Brandy Sour with Egg White
- Adding egg white to create a silky, luxurious texture and creamy mouthfeel
- Pisco Sour
- Substituting brandy with pisco for a South American spirit-forward interpretation
- Cognac Sour
- Using premium Cognac specifically for enhanced smoothness and complexity
- Brandy Sour with Bitters
- Adding a dash of aromatic bitters for additional depth and balance
What to eat with it
- Lemon bars
- Goat cheese
- Light seafood
- Grilled citrus chicken
- Vanilla cookies
- Lemon tart
- Fresh oysters
The finished drink
Questions
What is in a Brandy Sour?
A Brandy Sour is made with brandy, lemon, powdered sugar, lemon, cherry.
What glass do you use for a Brandy Sour?
Serve a Brandy Sour in a whiskey sour glass.
What does a Brandy Sour taste like?
Expect smooth, tangy, fruity.
What can I make with Brandy?
We have 51 drinks built around Brandy. See them all on the Brandy page.
More with Brandy
Every Brandy drink →One good drink, every Friday.
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