Brandy and South African Vermouth Cocktail with Orange Zest

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-26 · Updated 2026-07-26

A smooth and aromatic cocktail blending rich brandy with South African vermouth, accented by bitters and a bright twist of orange zest. This African-inspired recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together brandy, South African vermouth, aromatic bitters 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 170 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

• 30 ml brandy
• 30 ml South African vermouth
• 1 dash aromatic bitters
• 1 dash orange curaçao liqueur
• 1 orange zest twist

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Chill a mixing glass by filling it with ice and setting aside for 2 minutes.
2. Step 2: Discard the ice from the mixing glass, then pour in 30 ml brandy and 30 ml South African vermouth.
3. Step 3: Add 1 dash of aromatic bitters and 1 dash of orange curaçao liqueur to the mixture.
4. Step 4: Fill the mixing glass with fresh ice and stir gently over 20 seconds until the cocktail is well chilled and slightly diluted.
5. Step 5: Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass, then express the oils from 1 orange zest twist over the surface and drop it in as garnish.