French Connection recipe
Cognac and amaretto, stirred over ice in an Old Fashioned glass.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 2 ingredients
- Old Fashioned glass
What Ingredients do you need to make a French Connection?
Cognac
Cognac is a variety of Brandy.
It’s named after Cognac, France and certain production methods are required to make sure the Brandy may be named Cognac.
These production methods include:
- Ugni blanc grapes must be used.
- The Brandy must be twice distilled in copper stills.
- The Brandy must be aged at least 2 years in Oak barrels.
Only then can it be called Cognac. Wowzers.
And even then, there are grades of Cognac:
- V.S. (Very Special) or 3 stars. This means that the Brandy has been aged for at least 2 years in a cask.
- V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale) or Reserve. This is where the Brandy has been aged for at least 4 years in a cask.
- Napoléon. This is where the Brandy is aged at least 6 years.
- XO (Extra Old). This is where the Brandy is aged at least 10 years.
- XXO (Extra Extra Old). This is where the Brandy is aged for at least 14 years.
- Hors d’âge (Beyond Age). This is where the Brandy is beyond the official age scales.
I mean, that’s some grading list. I’d wager by the end of that list you’d need to be a millionaire to sample those Cognacs.
ANYWAY… the Cognac we recommend is:
Amaretto
Amaretto (Italian for ‘a little bitter’) is a sweet Liqueur that originated in Saronno (a commune in Lombardy, Italy).
Depending on the brand, Amaretto can be made from a variety of ingredients including apricot kernels, peach stones, bitter almonds, or just regular almonds. The key is that all of these ingredients contain benzaldehyde which acts as the almond-like flavour of the liqueur.
Amaretto usually contains between 21 to 28 per cent alcohol by volume.
For Amaretto, we recommend:
What Equipment do you need to make a French Connection?
Old Fashioned Glass
Old Fashioned Glasses give a cocktail a classic, retro, yet elegant look.
If you’re making an old school cocktail, then this is the glass you absolutely need.
For Old Fashioned Glasses, we recommend:
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Recipe card
French Connection
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Old Fashioned glass
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add ice, cognac, and amaretto to an Old Fashioned glass.
- Stir.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of classic cocktails.
French Connection FAQs
What Ingredients do you need to make a French Connection?
What Equipment do you need to make a French Connection?
You’ll need an Old Fashioned glass.
What alcohol is in a French Connection?
A French Connection contains 35ml / 1.2oz cognac and 35ml / 1.2oz amaretto.
Is a French Connection shaken or stirred?
A French Connection is stirred, not shaken. It’s made straight in an Old Fashioned glass: add the ingredients over ice and stir.
What glass is a French Connection served in?
Serve a French Connection in an Old Fashioned glass.
How do I make a French Connection for a group?
The recipe makes one drink. Multiply every measure by the number of drinks you want: for 4, you’d need 140ml cognac and 140ml amaretto.
