Brandy Crusta Cocktail Recipe: A Classic New Orleans Elegance in a Glass

📖 History

The Brandy Crusta was invented in the 1850s by Joseph Santini, an Italian bartender in New Orleans. It’s considered one of the first cocktails to move beyond the simple "spirit + sugar + bitters" formula, and it introduced the idea of using citrus juice and fancy garnishes. This drink is both refreshing and sophisticated – a true ancestor of modern mixology.

🥃 Ingredients (for 1 cocktail)

• 2 oz (60 ml) Cognac or quality brandy

• ½ oz (15 ml) Orange Curaçao (like Cointreau or Grand Marnier)

• ¼ oz (7 ml) Maraschino liqueur (Luxardo preferred)

• ½ oz (15 ml) Fresh lemon juice

• 2 dashes Aromatic bitters (Angostura works best)

• Sugar (for rimming the glass)

• Large lemon peel (to line the rim of the glass)

🍹 Glassware

• Stemmed wine glass or large coupe

🔧 Instructions

1. Prepare the glass

   • Moisten the rim of the glass with a lemon wedge.

   • Dip the rim into superfine sugar to create an even coat.

   • Carefully cut a wide, long strip of lemon peel and fit it inside the glass so it lines the rim in a dramatic spiral (the drink’s signature look).

2. Mix the drink

   • Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

   • Add the cognac, orange curaçao, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and bitters.

   • Shake well until chilled.

3. Serve

   • Strain the mixture into the prepared glass.

   • Admire the sugared rim and citrus garnish before sipping.

🌟 Flavor Profile

The Brandy Crusta is bright, citrusy, and complex, with the richness of brandy balanced by the tartness of lemon and the sweetness of curaçao and maraschino. The sugared rim adds a touch of sweetness with every sip, making it both refreshing and indulgent.

✅ Perfect for: A special occasion, dinner party aperitif, or when you want to impress with a vintage cocktail that looks as good as it tastes.