February 20, 2025

Brandy and cognac seem well suited for chilly weather. Picture yourself seated by a crackling fire and imagine ordering an icy prosecco. No? Well, how about a snifter of brandy?  Ah,that’s more like it.

There is room, however, for chilled cognac and brandy cocktails. This Cognac Cider Cocktail makes use of  fragrant seasonal Meyer lemon and a hint of maple syrup. Fresh apple cider is an autumn find. Bottled honeycrisp apple cider or juice keeps well and may be used instead.  Apple cider, once opened, can begin to ferment. Honeycrisp juice or cider keeps super well in your fridge. Angostura bitters lends intriguing background spark. All in all, this is a smooth winter libation.

brandy is a good substitute, as is regular lemon juice

Cognac and brandy are similar in taste, albeit different in place of origin and method of aging. Brandy is a capable substitute for the pricier cognac. Splurge if you wanna, says me.

Snow falls gently as I write this and the world is hushed The silence of snowfall invites thoughts of soups and stews, warm buttered homemade bread and a drink before dinner, slowly savored with friends and loved ones.

Easy to make and pleasant to drink, this winter beverage is great shaken over ice and strained. On the rocks is also an option. If  serving a mocktail, use a strong unsweetened iced tea in place  of cognac.

Cognac Cider Cocktail

recipe by Michele Humlan, The Good Eats Company

makes one beverage

ingredients

2 ounces cognac, or brandy *
1 ounce apple cider
1 tablespoon fresh Meyer lemon juice, or plain lemon juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon angostura bitters
*for mocktail, substitute unsweetened iced tea
optional garnish : thin slice of Meyer lemon

directions 

Ideally, have all ingredients well chilled. Shake with ice in jar or shaker and strain into glass. May also be served on the rocks. To make a mocktail with iced tea, consider topping glass with seltzer.