French Connection
Cognac and amaretto in equal parts: a round, nutty-sweet after-dinner drink over ice.
Ingredients
- Cognac, VSOP, ideally, for body and balance45 ml
- Amaretto, classic almond liqueur45 ml
- Lemon, to garnish (optional)1 twist
Method
- Put one large ice cube in a cold rocks glass.
- Pour the cognac and amaretto straight over the ice.
- Stir gently for 20–30 seconds, so the drink chills without becoming too diluted.
- Serve as it is, or twist a strip of lemon peel over the glass for a hint of aroma.
About this drink
The French Connection was named after the 1971 film of the same name and soon found its way into the IBA's official canon of classics. It lives on its simplicity: two spirits, no frills, just time and a large ice cube to open up the aromas. It is meant as a slow after-dinner drink, in which the cognac's fruit and the amaretto's almond sweetness are left to talk to each other.
Questions and answers
What is a French Connection?
One of the simplest cocktails you can make: cognac and amaretto stirred over ice. No shaker, no citrus, just two spirits that play well together.
Does it have to be cognac, or will another brandy do?
A good Armagnac or an ordinary grape brandy works well, just with a slightly more rustic character than cognac's polished style.
