Brandy: how and with what to drink this drink

Brandy is a very popular and yet rather mysterious drink. Despite the fact that many people have heard about it and tasted brandy, not everyone knows how to drink this drink correctly and choose a snack that will not only not interrupt but also emphasize the delicate aroma and exquisite taste of brandy. OBOZREVATEL , together with ABK Dnipro, decided to fill this gap and tell you how, when, with what and, most importantly, with whom this drink should be consumed.

How to drink?

1. The right glass. Surprisingly enough, the extent to which the flavor of the brandy is revealed depends on the shape of the glass you choose. A cognac glass will help you to capture all the notes of the flavor. In this case, only the wide part of the glass should be filled with the drink.

2. Optimal temperature. Brandy should not be drunk cold. The optimal temperature for this drink is 22-25 degrees. At the same time, the aroma is best revealed if you heat the glass with the drink with the warmth of your hands or bring it to a lighted candle.

3. Good for cocktails. Of course, you should not mix expensive elite brandy in cocktails, but an ordinary medium-aged brandy, which does not cost much, will taste great both in its pure form and as the "star" of cocktails. It is not necessary to look for some fancy recipes. You can mix a small amount of brandy with coffee, various liqueurs, syrups, milk, ice cream, cream, lemon or orange juice.

4. Add ice. If you still prefer cold drinks or don't like to mix brandy with anything else, but it's too rich for you in its pure form, you can try to deviate from the requirements of the classic serving and pour the drink into a glass, putting a couple of ice cubes in it beforehand. This will "tame" the flavor a bit - and for many brandy connoisseurs, this is their favorite way to drink it.

5. Good company. With or without ice, experts recommend drinking brandy in small sips - and always in a small company that includes only people who are close and pleasant to you. Brandy does not tolerate fuss and noise - and it is best to enjoy it in a quiet environment.

What to eat?

In fact, it is better not to snack on brandy - and to drink it neat. That's what connoisseurs say. However, if you still prefer to snack on alcohol, try combining brandy with lemon or bitter chocolate. Such an appetizer is optimal for expensive varieties of the drink.

Cheaper brandy is not as demanding as an appetizer. It can be served with cold cuts of ham or lean sausage, good cheeses, caviar sandwiches, and vegetables. Do you prefer sweet appetizers? Choose fruit, walnuts, ice cream, and peanuts.

And brandy grape varieties are ideal in combination with freshly brewed coffee or a cup of strong tea.

What is the main difference between brandy?

There is a misconception that brandy is a kind of derivative of cognac. In fact, it is exactly the opposite. Brandy is a broader concept that includes spirits produced by double distillation of fermented fruit juice, both grape and any other: cherry, apple, raspberry, and so on. The strength of the drink is 40-60 degrees.

Cognac, on the other hand, is actually a grape brandy made from grapes grown in the French region of Poitou-Charentes, where the city of Cognac is located.

So cognac is more about the name of the drink, and brandy is about the technology of its preparation. And while only French winemakers can call their products cognac, brandy is produced in all parts of the world, including Ukraine. For example, ABK-Dnipro produces brandy under the Cardinal brand in two versions - 3-year and 5-year.

The drinks are visually distinguished by the color of the label. Cardinal Red Mantle is aged for 3 years and has a mild oak barrel aroma with subtle notes of grapes. Cardinal Black Mantle is aged for a longer period of 5 years. It is characterized by a deep creamy tone with notes of prunes and pears.

If you're not a fan of the brand yet, maybe you just didn't know how to drink it?