5 brandy based cocktails that you can try (2025 edition)

Brandy is back—and it’s rewriting the rules of American mixology. According to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, brandy sales surged by over 8% between 2022 and 2024, driven by the spirit’s appeal to younger, more adventurous drinkers. From craft cocktail lounges in Brooklyn to innovative speakeasies in San Francisco, brandy cocktails in the USA are gaining cult status among bartenders and patrons alike.

Once seen as a classic old-world drink, brandy is now a canvas for bold flavors, modern techniques, and hyper-local creativity. This renaissance is fueled by rising interest in small-batch distillation, American-grown grapes and apples, and a nostalgia-meets-innovation vibe that defines top brandy drinks in 2025.

In this article, we spotlight five exceptional brandy-based cocktails that are reshaping bar menus and palates across the country. From the smoky notes of a Texas sour to the citrus-forward vibrance of a California Sidecar, these concoctions showcase the very best cocktails with brandy. Let’s raise a glass to the spirit that’s making a comeback—American style.

Why brandy cocktails are gaining popularity in the USA

The resurgence of brandy in American bars is not a coincidence—it’s a confluence of evolving consumer preferences, a thirst for craft heritage, and a willingness to reimagine old-school spirits. Millennials and Gen Z are at the heart of this change. According to a 2024 Nielsen report, 62% of consumers aged 25–39 prefer cocktails with a historical twist or regional ingredients, and brandy fits both criteria.

In terms of brandy trends USA, there’s been a marked shift from imported Cognac to homegrown American brandies. Brands like Copper & Kings (Kentucky) and Germain-Robin (California) are producing artisanal expressions using local fruits and innovative barrel-aging.

“Brandy mixology 2025 is all about terroir,” says Celia Grant, head bartender at The Velvet Sip in Chicago. “We’re infusing it with herbs, aging it with wine casks, and pairing it with everything from truffle salt to fig bitters. The result? Unforgettable flavor complexity in a spirit that was once overlooked.”

And thanks to its versatile profile—rich yet mellow, fruity yet structured—modern brandy drinks are perfect for both warm-weather refreshers and cozy winter sippers.

Top 5 must-try brandy cocktails in the USA

 Brandy Milk Punch – New Orleans classic reborn (Louisiana)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz E&J XO Brandy

• 1 oz whole milk

• ½ oz simple syrup

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• Freshly grated nutmeg (for garnish)

Preparation:

1. Combine brandy, milk, syrup, and vanilla in a shaker with ice.

2. Shake vigorously until chilled.

3. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

4. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Taste profile: Creamy, smooth, subtly spiced
Best time to enjoy: Winter brunch or Mardi Gras celebrations
Cultural background: A staple in New Orleans brunch culture, Brandy Milk Punch dates back to the 1700s and is a classic Southern remedy for a “spirited” morning.

Why it stands out: With its velvety texture and nostalgic flavors, this cocktail is being reimagined by bars like Cane & Table in the French Quarter with house-made vanilla syrups and dairy alternatives—making it a New Orleans brandy revival favorite.

 The Wisconsin Old-Fashioned – Midwest charm in a glass

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Korbel Brandy

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 sugar cube

• Orange slice

• Maraschino cherry

• Splash of 7Up or Sprite

Preparation:

1. Muddle the sugar cube, bitters, orange slice, and cherry in a glass.

2. Add ice and pour in the brandy.

3. Top with a splash of lemon-lime soda.

4. Stir gently.

Taste profile: Sweet, effervescent, citrusy
Best time to enjoy: Tailgating, supper clubs, or Friday fish fries
Cultural background: A Wisconsin icon, this cocktail is a proud deviation from the typical Old-Fashioned, embodying the state’s long-standing love for brandy.

Why it stands out: It’s the ultimate Midwestern comfort cocktail, with a playful soda twist. Bartenders in Milwaukee and Green Bay are adding housemade bitters and barrel-aged cherry liqueurs to elevate its nostalgic appeal.

 Brandy Alexander 2.0 – The NYC dessert cocktail redux

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Germain-Robin Brandy

• 1 oz crème de cacao (dark)

• 1 oz oat milk (or cream)

• Dash of cinnamon

• Cocoa nibs (for garnish)

Preparation:

1. Shake all ingredients with ice.

2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

3. Garnish with cocoa nibs and a dusting of cinnamon.

Taste profile: Silky, chocolaty, indulgent
Best time to enjoy: After-dinner dessert cocktail
Cultural background: A 1920s classic brought back with a modern twist, the Brandy Alexander is finding new fans in New York’s craft cocktail scene.

Why it stands out: At Death & Co NYC, the Brandy Alexander 2.0 is served with cacao-infused brandy and smoked cream foam, turning this old-school drink into a showstopping NYC mixology brandy recipe.

California Sidecar – West Coast citrus explosion

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Copper & Kings American Brandy

• ¾ oz Cointreau

• ¾ oz Meyer lemon juice

• Orange peel (for garnish)

• Sugar rim (optional)

Preparation:

1. Shake brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice with ice.

2. Strain into a coupe glass with a sugar rim.

3. Garnish with an orange peel twist.

Taste profile: Tart, citrus-forward, aromatic
Best time to enjoy: Summer evenings or seafood pairings
Cultural background: Inspired by California’s citrus groves and the Prohibition-era Sidecar.

Why it stands out: This California brandy cocktail embraces regional zest. Bartenders in Santa Barbara and Sonoma are using local citrus varietals like yuzu and Buddha’s hand for a fresh spin.

 Smoked Apple Brandy Sour – Texas’s smoky sensation

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Apple brandy (preferably from Balcones, TX)

• ¾ oz lemon juice

• ½ oz smoked honey syrup

• Egg white (optional)

• Apple slice or smoked rosemary (for garnish)

Preparation:

1. Dry shake all ingredients (without ice).

2. Add ice and shake again until frothy.

3. Strain into a coupe glass.

4. Garnish with smoked rosemary or apple slice.

Taste profile: Tart, smoky, velvety
Best time to enjoy: Fall sipping or BBQ pairing
Cultural background: Originating in Austin’s cocktail scene, this drink captures Texas BBQ smoke in a refined sour.

Why it stands out: It’s become a Texas bar favourite, served at Midnight Cowboy with mesquite-infused honey. The smoky element bridges rustic charm with urban sophistication.

How American bars are reimagining classic brandy cocktails

Across the country, top-tier bars are transforming classic brandy cocktails using innovative ingredients, modern aesthetics, and theatrical presentations. At The Aviary (Chicago), a “Deconstructed Brandy Crusta” arrives in three glass vessels—each component to be sipped in sequence.

Bar Agricole in San Francisco infuses brandy with locally foraged herbs and uses reclaimed oak barrels for on-site aging. At Canon (Seattle), the glassware is as inventive as the liquid inside—think smoked glass domes and perfume atomizers for aromatic enhancement.

From housemade tinctures to sous-vide fruit reductions, American brandy cocktail bars are leading a revolution. They’re turning familiar drinks into multisensory experiences, reflecting the rising demand for brandy cocktail innovations USA.

Final thoughts – The evolving identity of brandy in American mixology

The era of dusty brandy bottles is over. In 2025, brandy is the bold, creative spirit at the center of a new American mixology movement. From the reimagined Brandy Alexander of NYC to the smoky ingenuity of Texas sours, the cocktails covered in this guide showcase a revived and redefined brandy culture.

These top 5 drinks reflect broader shifts in the industry: toward local sourcing, experimental technique, and storytelling in a glass. Whether you’re a casual cocktail fan or a home bartender seeking your next showstopper, there’s never been a better time to explore brandy cocktails in 2025 USA.

So next time you’re at your local bar—or browsing your home bar shelf—consider reaching for a bottle of American brandy. You might just discover your new favorite drink.

Disclaimer: Consumption of liquor is injurious to health and Business Upturn does not promote or advertise the featured brand(s) or suggest ingesting liquor through this article. Business Upturn does not guarantee the accuracy of information in this article.