Cognac Alexander is a bright tea-colored drink produced in Aktyubinsk (Kazakhstan). The original bottle in the form of a heavy faceted damask, the burgundy label with golden inscriptions and the commander’s profile look presentable. Connoisseurs may be suspicious of a plastic cork, but this is simply evidence of budget. Cognac appeared on the market recently – in 2015, so it is little known. Those who have tasted the drink note a beautiful color and a pleasant floral aroma without a pronounced alcohol content, characteristic of cheap alcohol.
Production history. In Kazakhstan, viticulture is a loss-making branch of agriculture, and there is no subsidizing state program, so there are few winegrowers and winemakers here. And 50% of alcohol in the Kazakh market is imported, moreover, the number of imported drinks continues to increase.
Forbes Statistics:
- 46% of the population of Kazakhstan aged 21-65 do not drink at all or rarely drink alcohol;
- 54% drink alcohol regularly;
- for 21% the main alcoholic drink is vodka;
- for 10%, vodka is the second main drink after beer, which has been brewed in Kazakhstan since the XNUMXth century;
- 64% of all surveyed men constantly drink vodka;
- 41% of the women surveyed also drink vodka.
There are preferences. According to historians, strong alcohol was not consumed at all in Kazakhstan until the 60s of the last century. Vodka appeared here along with those who came to conquer the virgin lands, there was such a campaign in the USSR – the development of virgin lands, which lasted from 1954 to 1965.
Therefore, there are no traditions of creating strong drinks in Kazakhstan, although there were already 2016 companies dealing with strong alcohol in 15. One of them is BN-A Limited Liability Partnership, which produces Alexander cognac. A small wine and vodka factory owned by the company is located in Aktyubinsk. The range of wines, vodka and 8 varieties of cognac. It is interesting that each of the cognacs has its own original bottle, the design is not repeated. And brandy “Kazakhstan” is produced in 4 types of bottles.
The enterprise is fully automated, modern equipment is installed in the shops. The plant has its own artesian well and several surface and underground storage facilities where wines mature and spirits age. In the production of cognac, both home-made distillates and imported ones are used. The pride of the enterprise is a collection of oak barrels of various sizes, which are made from wood of 50-year-old oaks. It is in them that cognac spirits ripen.
Characteristics of cognac “Alexander”
Dark amber drink with golden reflections pleasantly smells of spring flowers, green apple and vanilla. The taste is powerful, a bit sharp, with hints of dried fruits and ginger. Burning aftertaste of medium duration. Like all cognacs, it is recommended as a digestif, pure. Pairs with coffee and fruits. Bartenders use it in cocktails.
Porto Flip
This cocktail is first mentioned in the Oxford Dictionary of 1695. And then, in order to achieve the desired level of foam, the mixture was heated with hot iron.
Ingredients:
- 40 ml of red fortified port;
- 15 ml brandy;
- 1 egg yolk;
- 1 g ground nutmeg.
Recipe: shake the yolk, wine and cognac in a shaker, pour into a glass with ice and sprinkle with nutmeg.
Stinger
The cocktail was created at the beginning of the XNUMXth century in San Francisco, for a long time it was recommended by bartenders as an excellent remedy for headaches and hangovers.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml brandy;
- 25 ml mint liqueur;
- 150 g ice cubes;
- 150 g crushed ice.
Recipe: Mix liqueur, cognac and crushed ice in a shaker, then pour the mixture into a rock filled with ice cubes.
Sidecar
The cocktail, created at the beginning of the First World War in Paris, was called the “motorcycle sidecar” in honor of the gallant French captain, who regularly came to the bar on Place Éluard on a motorcycle and ordered cognac with lemon juice.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml brandy;
- 30 ml orange liqueur (Triple Sec is best)
- 20 ml of lemon juice;
- 5 ml sugar syrup;
- 15 ml of still water;
- 150 g ice cubes.
Recipe: Shake all the ingredients in a shaker with ice cubes and pour into a chilled cocktail glass with a sugar rim around the edge.