Brandy Alexander and Angel's Face: The Stories Behind the Drinks, How to Make Them

A fantastic activity to do if you want to be a drink specialist is to research the stories, myths, and background of the spirits you plan to make and serve. In addition to becoming a rapid hobby, it is also entertaining for patrons of your drinks. Brandy Alexander and Angel's Face are two perfect examples.

Brandy Alexander is an Armagnac cocktail from France. From time to time, attempts have been made to trace the name of this cocktail back to Alexander the Great or a famous bar mixer called Alexander. However, people in Gascogne are convinced that the Alexander is named after Alexander Dumas. D'Artagnan, the leader of the famous three Musketeers, comes, of course, from this historically significant and picturesque landscape. Even the Armagnac, the amber-colored life elixir also originates from the Gascogne. It is the product of the slow distillation of a powerful white wine, which grows in a well-defined area of Gers, the district and of Lot-et-Garonne. You can learn how the quality of the brandy is inspected at the Armagnac market of Eauze; you rub one drop between the palms of the hands and inhale the aroma. It should smell strongly and wonderfully of plums and hazelnuts. If you are interested in making this drink, you need:

Ice cubes

2cl (1 ½ tablespoons) Armagnac

2cl (1 ½ tablespoons) Crème de Cacao

2cl (1 ½ tablespoons) whipping cream

You'll want to put the ice cubes into shaker, add Armagnac, Crème de Cacao and whipping cream and shake thoroughly, then strain into a shallow cocktail glass. Brandy Alexander is ideally served after a meal.

Angel's Face is a Calvados cocktail from France as well. In June 1588 the Spanish Armada was a fleet which could be proud of itself. 130 ships set sail from Lisbon to prepare England for the defeat Philip II had been dreaming of for so long, only to return two months later with the pitiful remains of the fleet. England and the storm were the victors. The proud "El Calvador" was also wrecked on the cliffs of the Norman coast. Yet, at least her name has been preserved: Normandy Calvador, later the French named the province Calvados with the verdant green pastures and the many apple trees. They produce their apple wine here, which is given the name Calvados when fortified. Calvados, known lovingly as Calva in Normandy, matures in barrels and achieves its ideal mature taste after ten to fifteen years. If you want to create this drink you'll need:

Ice cubes

2cl (1 ½ tablespoons) Calvados

2cl (1 ½ tablespoons) apricot

Brandy

2cl (1 ½ tablespoons) gin

Fill up the shaker with ice cubes. Pour in Calvados, apricot brandy and gin, shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. You want to serve this after a meal just like Brandy Alexander.