BY CAMPER ENGLISH

C.O.P. a Feel

Way back when, cognac was used in many early American cocktail recipes including the Sazerac and a variation of the Mint Julep. These days we don’t see it as much, though in parts of the Midwest brandy is used in many drinks instead of whiskey. I think that’s the fault of cognac producers, who promote their product as too fancy to pollute with other ingredients. Thankfully, now Courvoisier has come out with a new expression, Exclusif, that’s meant for mixing into drinks—though it’s perfectly drinkable on its own. After experimenting with a few recipes I came up with this interesting, slightly sweet beverage. It uses just a touch of pear but that flavor really stands out. The name doesn’t have much to do with the flavor but it will help you remember what’s in it: Cognac, Orange and Pear. Feel free to play around with the ratio of each to match your personal style.

The C.O.P.

1 1/2 ounces Courvoisier Exclusif Cognac
1/2 ounce Triple Sec orange liqueur
1/3 ounce Marie Brizard Poire William pear liqueur
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled mixing glass and stir for 30 seconds. Serve up in a cocktail glass.