Liqueur enthusiasts that want to feel a tad posh this evening might want to try drinking from a brandy snifter. This glass, shaped like a balloon with a large bottom tapering to a narrow top, has long been regarded as a symbol for luxury and indulgence. The brandy snifter made many appearances in old movies, where they were often held by rich guests at cocktail parties or well-heeled gentlemen in drawing rooms.
In fact, the brandy snifter is a piece of glassware that was crafted for perfect functionality. Its short, thin stem and wide bottom are comfortably held. A hand cupping the bottom of the glass warms the liqueur to optimum temperature, while the small opening holds the heady aroma. In addition to warming the brandy by hand, brandy in a snifter can be placed on a warmer. The glass sits at an angle in a specially crafted metal stand. A tea-light candle is placed below, and the flame is lit to release the fragrance and taste. Some brandy aficionados assert that brandy should be warmed only by hand, but a brandy warmer is certainly an option.
The brandy snifter was probably first made in the 16th century when glassware became more popular and available to a wider populace. Though normal sizes range from 6- to 18-ounce sizes, with even smaller and larger sizes available, only 2 to 3 ounces of liqueur are recommended. To properly enjoy brandy, raise the snifter to your nose for a few shallow breaths, then sip a small amount and hold on the tongue. The smell and taste of brandy encompass spices such as vanilla, cloves, and ginger, fruits of apricot, cherry, peach, or orange, and woods of cedar, oak, or pine. Brandy is traditionally enjoyed after a meal and accompanied by no foods, with the possible exception of nuts.
Brandy and cognac are the most common drinks used with a brandy snifter, but snifters are also recommended for other liqueurs and mixtures. An Amaretto or Brandy Alexander, Hot Toddy, Paris Burning, a Zombie, and a Full Moon all suggest the use of a brandy snifter. The Backdraft is a fun cocktail that makes perfect use of the snifter’s design to trap aroma in the glass. For this drink, an ounce of Drambuie and an ounce of Grand Marnier are mixed in the snifter, set aflame, and extinguished by covering the glass with a hand. The drink should be quickly downed and glass recovered with hand. After five seconds, the snifter is brought to the nose to inhale deeply. Enjoy!
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