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Apricot brandy is a delicious spirit that can be enjoyed on its own or used in cocktails. It is made by fermenting apricots and distilling the juice and has a sweet and fruity flavor. In this blog post, we will discuss what apricot brandy is, how it’s made and some of the best cocktails you can make with it!
Contents
What is apricot brandy?
Apricot brandy is a type of fruit brandy that is made from apricots. It is made by fermenting the apricots and distilling the juice and has a sweet and fruity flavor. Apricot brandy can be enjoyed on its own or used in cocktails.
Although most of these liqueurs are actually created by macerating cherries in neutral spirit (vodka), rather than brandy, the term “apricot brandy” is commonly used to designate the most popular form of apricot liqueur. Some apricot brandies may also contain brandy or be made with actual apricots.
If the base alcohol is not produced from fermented fruit in the European Union, it must be specified on the label.
In the United States, ‘apricot brandy’ refers to a flavored brandy that is produced from grape brandy and has at least 35% alc./vol (70°proof).
What is apricot brandy used for?
Apricot brandy can be used in a variety of cocktails, such as the apricot fizz, apricot sour and apricot daiquiri. It can also be enjoyed on its own or with mixers such as soda water or lemonade.
Is apricot liqueur the same as apricot brandy?
No, apricot liqueur is a different spirit that is made from apricots and has a sweeter flavor than apricot brandy. Apricot brandy is made by fermenting the apricots and distilling the juice, whereas apricot liqueur is made by soaking apricots in alcohol.
Infusions and distillations of apricot flesh and/or kernel can be used to flavor apricot liqueurs. Bitter apricot kernel infusions are frequently included in crème de noyaux liqueurs.
What’s the best apricot brandy?
There are many apricot brandies on the market, and it can be difficult to choose one. However, we recommend trying out a few different brands to see which one you like best. Some of our favorites include La Prunelle apricot brandy and Giffard apricot brandy.
Bols Apricot Brandy
Bols Apricot Brandy is one of the company’s most popular apricot brandies. This particular variety is one of the most well-known thanks to its high quality, wide range of features, and reasonable price tag. This method has also been around for a long time; it dates back to when apricot kernels were originally stored in brandy.
Our Top Pick
Bols Apricot Brandy
Buy it nowThis is where the drink’s inspiration came from, yet the spirit is far more refined than the mess in the empty barrels of yore! This cocktail combines apricot kernel distillate, brandy, and fresh apricot juice. The apricot kernels are crushed to generate delicate amaretto flavors.
It smells of roasted almonds, apricot skin, and fruit on the nose, with delicate undertones of banana. The flavor is mild sweet with notes of both apricot skin and flesh.
The scent is medium, with notes of brandy, almonds, and grapefruit in the background. More almonds, bananas, clove, and lemon zest are present on the finish.
DeKuyper Apricot Brandy
DeKuyper Apricot Brandy is a high-end mixture using only the highest quality apricot distillate. With crushed kernels and fine brandy, it’s blended with the intention of preserving a classic and traditional taste of apricot liqueur that has been adored for many years.
It’s a wonderful addition to many classic drinks, but it’s also great when sipped straight — the ideal combination of tastes for the summer.
The flavor is a sensory adventure, with scents of almond paste, honeysuckle, and orange blossom floating on your nose while baked apricot skin hits you with baking. The palette is full of baked apricot and apricot skin that has a mild acidity to it. Mid-palate contains a hint of gentle spice.
The finish is dominated by lovely, delicate apricot tones that fade into rich spices and a light acidity.
Hiram Walker Apricot Brandy
Hiram Walker Apricot Brandy is a strong spirit made from a variety of delicious, tree-ripen apricots. Each varietal contributes its own taste and scent to the mix, generating a rich and enticing melody of apricot undertones.
Hiram Walker produces a variety of high-quality flavored liquors, all of which are expertly made. The natural essences are meticulously extracted and mixed to perfection, ensuring that each drink has a distinctive taste.
Hiram Walker is a well-known and reputable producer of delicious and authentic tastes, whether you’re looking for a sweet or sophisticated cocktail or an alcoholic afternoon coffee.
The profile here is one-of-a-kind. The fragrance has strong, powerful fruity tones with a wide range of different apricot nuances slipping through. Similarities exist on the palate, which is rounded out by ripe dark fruit sweetness. It’s a pleasant, wonderful after-dinner drink for a leisurely night off or excellent
6 apricot brandy cocktails
One of the best places to start with apricot brandy is to make some delicious cocktails with it. Here are six classics to try.
Zombie
Ingredients:
- Ice Cubes
- ¾ Part Light Rum
- ¾ Part Navy Rum
- ¾ Part Orange Rum
- ½ Part Apricot Brandy
- ½ Part Overproof Rum
- 2½ Parts Orange Juice
- 2½ Parts Pineapple Juice
- 1 Part Lime Juice
- ½ Part Triple Sec
- ½ Part Grenadine
- 1 Wedge Pineapple
How to make
Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add light rum, navy rum, orange rum, apricot brandy, triple sec, orange juice, pineapple juice, lime juice and grenadine to a highball glass filled with crushed ice. Serve with a pineapple wedge on top.
Nacional de Cuba
Ingredients:
- Ice Cubes
- ⅔ Part Apricot Brandy
- 1⅓ Parts Light Rum
- 1 Part Lime Juice
- ⅔ Part Simple Syrup
- 1 Wedge Lime
How to make
Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Pour in all of the contents. Shake and pour into a glass over crushed ice. Lime is optional.
Copper Fizz
Ingredients:
- Ice Cubes
- 1½ Parts Absolut Elyx
- ⅓ Part Strega
- ⅓ Part Apricot Brandy
- 1 Part Lemon Juice
- ⅓ Part Egg White
- ⅓ Dash Absinthe
- Soda Water
- 2 Wheels Lemon
How to make
Fill a shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add Absolut Elyx, strega, apricot brandy, lemon juice, and egg white to the shaker. Shake well and strain into a highball glass. Top up with soda water instead of ice. Lemon slice is a nice touch.
Bingo
Ingredients:
- Ice Cubes
- ⅔ Part Apricot Brandy
- ⅔ Part Absolut Vodka
- ⅓ Part Lemon Juice
- ⅔ Part Mandarines Liqueur
- Soda Water
How to make
Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes. Add apricot brandy, Absolut Vodka, lemon juice and mandarines liqueur. Top up with soda water.
Yellow Bird Martini
Ingredients:
- Ice Cubes
- 1½ Parts Cuban Rum
- ¼ Part Apricot Brandy
- 1 Part Lime Juice
- 1 Part Pineapple Juice
- ½ Part Banana Liqueur
- ¼ Part Galliano
- 1 Wheel Banana
How to make
Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Combine all the ingredients. Mix and strain into a cocktail glass, garnished with a banana wheel.
Georgia Mint Julep
Ingredients:
- Crushed Ice
- 1 Part Apricot Brandy
- 1 Part Brandy
- ⅓ Part Simple Syrup
- Mint Leaf
How to make
Fill a highball glass halfway with crushed ice. Add all of the ingredients and stir well. Place the mint leaf on top.
Enjoying apricot brandy
Apricot brandy is a great item to have on your home bar as there are loads of cocktails to make with it and it can be enjoyed on its own. Quality products from top brands are relatively inexpensive and easy to get to add to your collection.
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