Once reduced to being the chosen nip of older family members on Christmas night, or a mix-in for festive sweets, brandy is making a comeback among discerning drinkers. Here’s how to drink it well and appreciate this delicious drop.

What to mix with brandy?

If you have a good-quality brandy on hand, you might like to keep it simple and add a small splash of lemon or lime juice, and a splash of soda – to make the brandy the star of the show. Citrus is a great pairing for brandy – simply adjust to your taste preferences.

Another popular choice is the sidecar: which features brandy with a little pour of orange liqueur and a dash of lemon juice – perfect for those who enjoy a simple, sour concoction.

If you’re of the espresso martini generation, drinking brandy might be something new to your palette. There are a number of ways you can shape brandy to suit your tastes, from a simple mixer to a full-blown cocktail.

Some Champagne cocktails make use of brandy (you just need to get the balance right!), while mixing brandy with a simple sugar syrup and soda is a preference for many (this is sometimes called a brandy cobbler).

For a retro-classic iteration, try a brandy Alexander cocktail. With crème de cacao, cream and brandy in the mix, this is more like a sweet, liquid dessert.