Tag: brandy

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Tale of Two Cars: Sidecar

The Story

The sidecar is a staple at the Runaway Anchor. A simple build, but a still a complex experience. If you are trying to break away from making Old Fashioneds and Manhattans all the time, consider this cocktail as a great starting point.

Cognac is called for in the Sidecar, but as Cognac is actually just “Brandy” you could use a cheaper bottle if your budget demands it. But there are affordable Cognac’s out there and one is included in the recipe links. The same goes for the Dry Curacao. While Pierre Ferrand is often the “go to” for this type of liqueur, you could also consider other Orange Liqueurs with lower price tags. Don’t let the premium ingredients often listed for the Sidecar get in the way of making one! We will include two options for the two primary ingredients in the receipt section below. Try it out! And if you are brave, add the sugar rim!

While you’ll find this recipe in almost every cocktail book from the past 100years, we are featuring the recipe of Steve the Bartender. Pick up his book for lots of great options for the home bar right HERE!!

Cheers!

The Recipe

2.0oz Cognac or Brandy

0.75oz Dry Curacao or Orange Liqueur

0.75oz Lemon Juice

1 tsp Demerara Syrup

Garnish: sugared rim (optional)

The Build

All all ingredients to a cocktail shaker

Add ice and shake for 10-15 seconds

Double strain into a chilled Nick and Nora glass (no ice)

Source: Steve the Bartender Sidecar Recipe

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Twelve Mile Limit (VR-Enabled)

The Story

This was a very popular cocktail during the Summer months. Make sure to make your own Grenadine (it’s too easy to go with store-bought options).

This is also one of the few tiki cocktails that doesn’t call for a Hamilton Beach blender. All you need to your handy cocktail shaker and you can be sipping in the sun in no time. Even if it’s freezing outside!

Cheers!

The Recipe

0.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice

0.5oz Grenadine (homemade is best)

1oz Blended Lightly Aged Rum

0.5oz Rye Whiskey

0.5oz Brandy

The Build

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker

Add cracked or cubed ice and shake for 15 seconds

Double strain into a chilled coupe glass

Source: Smuggler’s Cove Cocktail Book

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Wisconsin Old Fashioned

The Story

This is a midwestern cocktail through and through. But since the home base of the Runaway Anchor Cocktail Bar is in the midwest, we wanted to call it out.

This is an Old Fashioned made with Brandy, but it’s more commonly referred to as the Wisconsin Old Fashioned, where it finds it’s origins. You’ll want to pay attention to the build process. First off, this one is built in the glass (not a mixing glass like you would normally do with an Old Fashioned). The other big difference is topping off the drink with soda. I’m still a little conflicted about this myself.

If you want a sweet drink, go with Sprite or 7up. If you want a sour drink, swap out for Squirt and if you just want the bubbles without the added flavors, you can always just do Club Soda.

Last point. For the Brandy stick with the original recipe and get a bottle of Korbel. It’s cheap and easy drinking. If you’re adding soda to a cocktail, you generally don’t want to use expensive stuff, and especially not cognac for this one.

This one is an easy drinker for warm evenings, preferably near a cabin in Lake Country.

Cheers!

The Recipe

2oz Brandy (don’t waste good cognac on this one)

1 sugar cube (or 0.5oz simple syrup)

3-4 dashes Angostura Bitters

Splash of water

Soda for topper (Sprite is our preference, but Club Soda or Squirt are other options)

Garnish with orange slice and cherries

The Build

Place the sugar cube in the bottom of the glass and soak with the Angostura Bitters

Add a splash of water to the glass (0.25oz if you really need to measure)

Muddle into a nice paste (if using simple syrup, you won’t need to muddle)

Add Brandy and swirl to mix the ingredients together

Add a single cube (or a handful of ice cubes if that’s what you have on hand)

Add your soda of choice to top off the drink

Garnish with a slice of orange and a couple cherries

Source: Runaway Anchor Recipe of a Regional Cocktail

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Brandy Alexander

The Story

This is a tasty classic. Easy to make. A little too easy to sip, so be careful! You can use a pricier cognac or any bottle of brandy, and it’ll be good. I even stay in the cheap end with my creme de cacao.

If you want to get crazy, you can take this, add some vanilla ice cream and blend it into a smoothie, Wisconsin-Style! But my preference is ice cold, smooth sipping.

Cheers!

The Recipe

1.5oz Brandy or Cognac

1oz Creme De Cacao (white is my preference)

1oz Heavy Cream (or alternative cream source)

The Build

Combine all three ingredients in a cocktail shaker

Shake with ice for 12 seconds

Double strain into a stemmed cocktail glass (chilled)

Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg

Source: Steve the Bartender Brandy Alexander