Ampersand Cocktail with Gin, Cognac, and Sweet Vermouth
A sophisticated stirred cocktail blending Old Tom gin, cognac, sweet vermouth, orange curaçao, and bitters for a smooth, complex flavor. This french-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together Old Tom gin, Cognac, Sweet vermouth for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 oz Old Tom gin
- 1 oz Cognac
- 3/4 oz Sweet vermouth
- 1/4 oz Orange curaçao
- 2 dashes Orange bitters
- 1 cup Ice cubes
- 1 piece Orange twist (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a mixing glass with 1 cup ice cubes and add 1 oz Old Tom gin, 1 oz cognac, 3/4 oz sweet vermouth, 1/4 oz orange curaçao, and 2 dashes orange bitters.
- Step 2: Stir gently for 30 seconds until well chilled and diluted, then strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Step 3: Express the oils of 1 orange twist over the drink and drop it in as garnish before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Ampersand Cocktail with Gin, Cognac, and Sweet Vermouth take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Ampersand Cocktail with Gin, Cognac, and Sweet Vermouth?
Refrigerate any leftover ampersand cocktail with gin, cognac, and sweet vermouth in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Ampersand Cocktail with Gin, Cognac, and Sweet Vermouth?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Ampersand Cocktail with Gin, Cognac, and Sweet Vermouth for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Ampersand Cocktail with Gin, Cognac, and Sweet Vermouth?
French cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
