DRINK : Bardinet Brandy cocktail recipes

What era would you go back in time to? Mine would defo be the Roaring 20's in Paris, the glitz, the glamour- think Great Gatsby.

It’s all about living the French lifestyle and you can find out more about this from three glamorous Francophiles that Bardinet have teamed up with to share their secrets for sprinkling French passion and style across this season’s celebrations.

BARDINET BRANDY COCKTAIL RECIPES

Award-winning drinks blogger Susan L. Schwartz, Paris-based lifestyle writer Marissa Cox and Love French Style blogger Katie Anderson will share cocktail recipes, style tips and inspiring ideas for living with passion and true French spirit.

I was interested in the reimagined classic brandy cocktails inspired by France’s glamorous roaring 20s. Drinks aficionado Susan Schwartz looked to the past to re-invent three glamourous classic brandy cocktails using Bardinet.

The one that struck a cord with me and the one I knew I needed to make, was the Zelda, named after the iconic flapper and author Zelda Fitzgerald, who spent much of her life in France.

A reimagined French Sidecar cocktail that uses apricot brandy (which pairs well with Bardinet and is topped with sparkling wine or champagne – which seems de rigeur, given Zelda’s zest for life).

INGREDIENTS

• 50 ml Bardinet Brandy

• 25 ml Apricot Brandy

• ¼ teaspoon Orange Juice or Orange Blossom Water

• Prosecco (or Champagne if you want to add some further French flair)

• Garnish: Zest of an Orange

• Glass: Champagne flute

METHOD

• Wet the rim of the glass with apricot brandy, then dip into the sugar.

• Add the Bardinet, apricot brandy, orange juice (or blossom water) in a shaker, add ice and shake until chilled.

• Pour into the glass then top up with prosecco or champagne and stir gently.

• Peel a long strip of orange peel and place in glass.

Watch my Instagram Reel here

Another two cocktails made using Bardinet are :

THE JOSEPHINE

Named after Josephine Baker - the fabulous, free-spirited entertainer who took France by storm. Inspired by the classic Vieux Carré cocktail, this simplified version draws on a delicious combination of brandy and cherry. The cherry syrup pays tribute to Josephine’s work with the Red Cross and the Resistance during the French occupation. The large single ice cube represents the one and only, larger than life star.

INGREDIENTS

• 50 ml Bardinet Brandy

• 25 ml Cherry Liqueur

• 12.5 ml Bénédictine

• 1 teaspoon of Cherry Syrup (from a jar of Maraschino cherries)

• Garnish: 1 Maraschino cherry

• Glass: Rocks glass

METHOD

• Add all of the ingredients to a mixing glass.

• Add ice. Stir to chill and dilute.

• Strain into a rocks glass with one big ice cube.

• Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.

THE COCO

Named after the famous Gabrielle Chanel who created the flapper’s uniform of drop waisted skirts, shorter hem lines, cloche hats, and load and loads of pearls. The iconic black and tan Chanel shoe is the inspiration behind this drink which brings together two classic brandy cocktails, The Brandy Alexander and Brandy Flip.

INGREDIENTS

• 50ml Bardinet Brandy

• 25 ml Brown Creme de Cacao

• 25 ml Cold Espresso Coffee

• One egg (optional) or use two tablespoons of egg white substitute such as Aquafaba

• Optional: 12.5 ml demerara sugar syrup or white sugar (if you like your cocktails a bit sweeter)

• Cocoa powder to garnish

• Glass: Coupe or Martini

METHOD

• Add ice to the coupe glass to chill and set aside.

• Add all the ingredients to a shaker - make sure the espresso is cold or it will cook the egg!

• Without adding ice, shake vigorously for thirty seconds.

• Add two cubes of ice, then shake as hard as you can.

• Double strain the cocktail into a coupe or martini glass.

• Garnish with a dusting of cocoa powder on top.

For festive French cocktails and style tips visit: https://bardinetstyle.co.uk/