Brandy Crusta
A historic gem from 19th-century New Orleans, the Brandy Crusta is a sophisticated sour and a direct ancestor of the Sidecar. It's renowned for its elaborate and aromatic presentation: a sugar-crusted rim and a long, continuous lemon peel lining the glass.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Cognac or Brandy
- ½ oz Orange Curaçao
- ¼ oz Maraschino Liqueur
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters
- Garnish: Sugar and a long lemon peel
Instructions
- Prepare the Garnish: Using a vegetable peeler, carefully cut a long, wide strip of peel from an entire lemon, trying to keep it in one piece. This is your "crusta."
- Prepare the Glass: Moisten the rim of a chilled coupe or small wine glass with a lemon wedge and dip it in superfine sugar to create an even crust.
- Line the Glass: Carefully curl the long lemon peel and place it snugly inside the rim of the prepared glass.
- Shake the Cocktail: Add the Cognac, orange curaçao, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
- Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture from the shaker into your prepared glass and serve immediately.
Pro Tips for Perfection
The "Crusta" is the Star: The elaborate garnish is the entire point of the drink. Don't skip it! The sugar rim provides initial sweetness, while the massive lemon peel provides an intense, beautiful citrus aroma with every sip. It's an aromatic experience as much as a tasting one.
Choosing Your Spirits: A quality VSOP Cognac provides a rich, fruity backbone. For the orange liqueur, a classic dry curaçao is traditional, but Cointreau also works beautifully. A touch of Maraschino liqueur adds a complex, funky sweetness that balances the other ingredients.