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)
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
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.
