brandy

Into the Mystic: Discovering Pisco’s Spiritual Roots

Alia Akkam journeys to Peru to discover the soul of the country's native grape-based spirit and, after meeting a shifty, fleece-donning shaman, comes back with a new understanding of her…

• story: Alia Akkam
• photo: Gabi Porter

Pisco

(n.) Chile and Peru both lay claim to inventing this grape brandy, thought to be created some 400 years ago. There are variations, but in general, most pisco is distilled…

Grappa

(n.) An Italian brandy distilled from grape pomace, the skins and seeds leftover from the winemaking process. Grappa is most commonly served as a digestivo, though it also makes an…

Eau de Vie

(n.) This type of brandy is made from distilling fermented fruit, most often tree fruits and berries, such as plums (mirabelle), pears (poire), raspberries (framboise) and cherries (kirsch). The final…

Cognac

(n.) This grape brandy is made in the Charente region of France. The Dutch invented cognac in the 17th century after experimenting with different types of French wine as a…

Brandy

(n.) Brandy is a spirit distilled from fermented fruit juice or fruits. Though most commonly associated with the French wine-based distillates of Cognac and Armagnac, the broad category includes Calvados…

Brandy Smash

The original and most popular variant of the smash throughout its heyday was the Brandy Smash, traditionally a mixture of spirit, water, sugar and mint, built over crushed ice.

Mendo Sidecar

First created during World War I, this Cognac-based cocktail traditionally had only two other ingredients: Cointreau and lemon juice. This version uses Germain-Robin XO brandy and maraschino liqueur.

Employees Only’s Grenadine

This traditional pomegranate syrup is essential to New York City cocktail bar Employees Only standards like the Millionaire Cocktail.

Brennan’s Brandy Milk Punch

A mainstay eye-opener cocktail served at New Orleans's "Breakfast at Brennan's"—the original brunch.