Mixed Drink with Brandy, Curaçao, Lemon Juice, Sugar, and a Lemon Twist as Garnish
Making a Brandy Crusta is a breeze and a journey back to the 19th century. Named for the sweet sugar rim on the glass, this bad boy first popped up in the late 1800s.
- Serves: 1 drink
- Difficulty: A walk in the park
- Time: Under 5 minutes in total, active time not exceeding 5 minutes
Ingredients (7)
- Some sugar for rimming (don't skimp on this crucial touch)
- 2 ounces of your fave brandy (or opt for cognac if you're feelin' fancy)
- 1/2 ounce maraschino liqueur (this lil scent brings the fruit flavors)
- A dash of bitters (usually Angostura, but play around with your choices)
- 1/2 ounce triple sec or curaçao (for a hit of citrusy sweetness)
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice (the tangy balance that keeps it all in check)
- Lemon peel twist (to give it the final, delicious touch)
Directions
- Chill a cocktail glass and rim it with sugar for an extra sweet kick. Give the brandy, maraschino liqueur, bitters, triple sec, and lemon juice a vigorous shake with ice. Then, strain the mix straight into the glass. Garnish it with a twist of lemon peel.
Guess who created this iconic cocktail? Yep, Joseph Santini, back when he was a bartender at the popular Jewel of the South in New Orleans' French Quarter. The Brandy Crusta paved the way for other famous drinks, such as the Sidecar, which is essentially the Brandy Crusta dressed up with cognac and a simpler recipe[3].
The cocktail gained popularity after it was highlighted in Jerry Thomas's "Bartender's Guide" in 1862[1][4]. Fast forward to 2019 when the revived Jewel of the South bar made the Brandy Crusta their signature cocktail, winning awards, including a James Beard Award in 2023[1]. Grab your shaker and enjoy a trip back in time with this classic drink!
- The Brandy Crusta, a classic cocktail with a sweet sugar rim, was first created by Joseph Santini in the late 1800s at the Jewel of the South in New Orleans' French Quarter.
- The Brandy Crusta is uncategorized as it laid the groundwork for many other popular drinks, including the Sidecar, which is essentially a modernized version of it.
- The quick recipe, with a yield of one drink, offers a refreshing blend of brandy, maraschino liqueur, bitters, triple sec, fresh lemon juice, and a sugar-rimmed cocktail glass, resulting in an enticing aroma of fruit flavors.
- For an added historical twist, the revived Jewel of the South bar in 2019 made the Brandy Crusta their signature cocktail, earning them a James Beard Award in 2023.
