Brandy Julep Cocktail Drink

Brandy Julep

If you’re looking for a delightful cocktail to spice up your evening, this Brandy Julep recipe is exactly what you need! It’s a tempting drink packed with flavorful ingredients and incredibly simple to make.

Brandy Julep Recipe

Enjoy fall with this easy Brandy Julep recipe! You'll love this cocktail made from brandy, sugar, Angostura Bitters and fresh mint.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

2 minutes

Servings:

1

Calories:

174 kl

Ingredients

  • 2 oz Brandy
  • 6-8 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 sugar cube
  • 1 dash soda water
  • 5 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Crushed ice
  • Mint sprig & icing sugar, for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Julep Cup or Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Muddler
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer

Instructions

  • Add Sugar Cube: Place 1 sugar cube in your Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
  • Add Angostura Bitters: Pour 5 dashes Angostura bitters over the sugar cube.
  • Add Soda Water: Measure and pour 1 dash soda water on the sugar cube as well.
  • Muddle: Muddle the sugar cube to reduce it to powder and make sure it will fully dissolve later on.
  • Add Mint: Place 6-8 fresh mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other, to release its aromas. Add the mint to the Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
  • Add Brandy: Measure and pour 2 oz Brandy into the glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
  • Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, churn well to combine the ingredients.
  • Add Ice: Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice.
  • Garnish: Place a mint sprig into the glass and sprinkle some icing sugar on top for garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Brandy: You can use any type of Brandy you like to prepare this cocktail: Cognac, Applejack, Calvados, or Grappa for example are all valid options.
  • Sugar Cube: If you don’t have sugar cubes, you can use simple syrup instead (approx. ¾ oz/22 ml, feel free to adjust to taste).
  • Angostura Bitters: If you don’t have Angostura bitters on hand or if you want to experiment with a different twist, you can use other types of old-fashioned aromatic bitters. For a result that’s close to the original cocktail, try to choose bitters that are heavy on spices (such as clove and cinnamon) and low on sugar. 
  • Mint Leaves: If fresh mint isn't available, you can use a few drops of mint extract. Be careful, though; it's potent stuff!

Making it Vegan:

The Brandy Julep cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including brandies such as Cognac or applejack, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
174
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.01
g
0
%
Sodium
 
1
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
7
g
2
%
Fiber
 
0.02
g
0
%
Sugar
 
6
g
7
%
Potassium
 
3
mg
0
%
Protein
 
0.01
g
0
%
Vitamin A
 
13
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
0.1
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
1
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.04
mg
0
%

 

Brandy Julep Cocktail Drink

Brandy Julep Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Enjoy fall with this easy Brandy Julep recipe! You'll love this cocktail made from brandy, sugar, Angostura Bitters and fresh mint.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 2 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 174

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Brandy
  • 6-8 fresh mint leaves
  • 1 sugar cube
  • 1 dash soda water
  • 5 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Crushed ice
  • Mint sprig & icing sugar - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Julep Cup or Old Fashioned Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Muddler
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer

Instructions

  • Add Sugar Cube: Place 1 sugar cube in your Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
  • Add Angostura Bitters: Pour 5 dashes Angostura bitters over the sugar cube.
  • Add Soda Water: Measure and pour 1 dash soda water on the sugar cube as well.
  • Muddle: Muddle the sugar cube to reduce it to powder and make sure it will fully dissolve later on.
  • Add Mint: Place 6-8 fresh mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other, to release its aromas. Add the mint to the Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass.
  • Add Brandy: Measure and pour 2 oz Brandy into the glass.
  • Add Ice: Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.
  • Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, churn well to combine the ingredients.
  • Add Ice: Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice.
  • Garnish: Place a mint sprig into the glass and sprinkle some icing sugar on top for garnish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Brandy: You can use any type of Brandy you like to prepare this cocktail: Cognac, Applejack, Calvados, or Grappa for example are all valid options.
  • Sugar Cube: If you don’t have sugar cubes, you can use simple syrup instead (approx. ¾ oz/22 ml, feel free to adjust to taste).
  • Angostura Bitters: If you don’t have Angostura bitters on hand or if you want to experiment with a different twist, you can use other types of old-fashioned aromatic bitters. For a result that’s close to the original cocktail, try to choose bitters that are heavy on spices (such as clove and cinnamon) and low on sugar. 
  • Mint Leaves: If fresh mint isn't available, you can use a few drops of mint extract. Be careful, though; it's potent stuff!

Making it Vegan:

The Brandy Julep cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including brandies such as Cognac or applejack, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.

What is a Brandy Julep?

A Brandy Julep is a classic cocktail made of sugar, brandy, Angostura bitters, and fresh mint. This drink is relatively easy to make as it only requires a few ingredients and simple preparation methods. The Brandy Julep is a variant of the well-known Mint Julep, which traditionally uses bourbon instead of brandy.

A high angle shot of a Brandy Julep cocktail in a julep cup on a wooden board placed on a green surface with some mint leaves on the side

What is a Brandy Julep made of – The ingredients

If you’re making a Brandy Julep, here’s what you’ll need:

  • Brandy: The main alcoholic component of the cocktail, providing a rich, warming base.
  • Mint leaves: Adds a refreshing, herbal note to balance the sweetness and alcohol.
  • Sugar Cube: Balances the brandy’s strength with sweetness and gives the cocktail a round, smooth finish.
  • Club Soda: Used to muddle and dissolve the sugar.
  • Angostura Bitters: Adds complexity with its blend of spices and herbs, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the cocktail.
  • Crushed ice: Chills the drink quickly and dilutes the mixture slightly for a smoother taste.
  • Mint sprig sprinkled with icing sugar (for garnish): Enhances presentation and adds a hint of mint aroma when sipped.

Brandy, sugar cube, mint leaves, soda water, and Angostura bitters laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a Brandy Julep?

Our easy-to-follow guide will help you master the art of making a Brandy Julep:

1
<p>Place a sugar cube in your Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass. The sugar cube brings a touch of sweetness that balances the strong flavors of the brandy and bitters.</p>

Place a sugar cube in your Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass. The sugar cube brings a touch of sweetness that balances the strong flavors of the brandy and bitters.

2
<p>Pour 5 dashes of Angostura bitters over the sugar cube. The bitters add a complex and aromatic note that complements the sweetness and minty flavor.</p>

Pour 5 dashes of Angostura bitters over the sugar cube. The bitters add a complex and aromatic note that complements the sweetness and minty flavor.

3
<p>Measure and pour a bar spoon of soda water on the sugar cube as well. It will help to dissolve the sugar further and add a slight effervescence to the drink.</p>

Measure and pour a bar spoon of soda water on the sugar cube as well. It will help to dissolve the sugar further and add a slight effervescence to the drink.

4
<p>Muddle the sugar cube to reduce it to powder and make sure it will fully dissolve later on. This step ensures the sugar integrates well with the other ingredients, providing a smooth sweetness throughout the cocktail.</p>

Muddle the sugar cube to reduce it to powder and make sure it will fully dissolve later on. This step ensures the sugar integrates well with the other ingredients, providing a smooth sweetness throughout the cocktail.

5
<p>Place 6-8 mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other to release its aromas. Add the mint to the Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass. The mint leaves provide a fresh and aromatic herbal flavor that is essential to the julep.</p>

Place 6-8 mint leaves in one hand and gently smack it with the other to release its aromas. Add the mint to the Julep cup or Old Fashioned glass. The mint leaves provide a fresh and aromatic herbal flavor that is essential to the julep.

6
<p>Measure and pour 2 ounces of brandy of your choice into the glass.</p>

Measure and pour 2 ounces of brandy of your choice into the glass.

7
<p>Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.</p>

Fill the glass three-quarters full with crushed ice.

8
<p>Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, churn well to combine the ingredients. This ensures an even distribution of flavors and a well-balanced cocktail.</p>

Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, churn well to combine the ingredients. This ensures an even distribution of flavors and a well-balanced cocktail.

9
<p>Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice; the extra ice keeps the drink cold and ensures it doesn’t get over diluted.</p>

Add a straw and top up with more crushed ice; the extra ice keeps the drink cold and ensures it doesn’t get over diluted.

10
<p>Place a mint sprig into the glass. The mint sprig adds a fresh, aromatic touch.</p>

Place a mint sprig into the glass. The mint sprig adds a fresh, aromatic touch.

11
<p>Sprinkle some icing sugar on top for garnish. This gives the drink a visually appealing finish.</p>

Sprinkle some icing sugar on top for garnish. This gives the drink a visually appealing finish.

Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing and aromatic blend of brandy, fresh mint, sugar, and bitters in this classic Brandy Julep!

History and Origin of the Brandy Julep

The Brandy Julep is a variant of the classic Mint Julep, a vintage classic cocktail famously associated with the Kentucky Derby horse race. The Mint Julep is traditionally made with bourbon, while the Brandy Julep uses brandy, such as Cognac or Applejack as a substitute.

A Brandy Julep cocktail, shot from above, in a julep cup on a beige surface surrounded by Brandy, sugar cube, mint leaves, soda water, and Angostura bitters

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FAQ

How many calories does a Brandy Julep contain?
A standard serving of Brandy Julep contains approximately 200 calories. However, this can vary depending on the brandy used and the amount of sugar added.
How strong is a Brandy Julep?
The strength of a Brandy Julep can vary based on the brandy used. On average, it has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of about 25-30%, translating to 50-60 proof. This makes it a relatively strong and boozy cocktail.
What type of alcohol is used in a Brandy Julep?
As the name suggests, Brandy Julep uses brandy as its primary alcohol. The choice of brandy can greatly influence the taste and strength of the cocktail: whether it is Cognac, Calvados, Applejack or even Pisco, feel free to experiment with your favorite bottles!
In what kind of glass is a Brandy Julep served?
Traditionally, a Brandy Julep is served in a Julep tin (or rocks glass if Julep tins are not available) with a straw or, for a full vintage experience, with a Julep strainer to prevent the crushed ice from falling.
What does a Brandy Julep taste like?
A Brandy Julep has a rich, sweet, and slightly minty flavor profile. The sweetness comes from the sugar, while the mint leaves provide a refreshing contrast. The brandy adds depth and warmth to the drink.
How is a Brandy Julep served with ice?
A Brandy Julep is typically served over crushed ice. This not only chills the drink but also helps to dilute the strong flavors of the brandy, making it more enjoyable to sip.

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