Sam Horwitz's Classic Cocktail Compendium

(With photos)


Brandy & Cognac

Brandy is a spirit distilled from wine. Cognac is a special designation of brandy that is defined by geography and production quality.

Pre-20ᵗʰ century, brandy was often used in cocktails that would later become whiskey-based. Although less popular than other spirits later on, there are 20ᵗʰ century cocktails that use brandy, as well. Pierre Ferrand 1840 is a cognac that was created specifically to reproduce 19ᵗʰ century cocktail and punch cognacs.