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CHOO CHOO! All aboard the brandy train! Brandy is kicking the door down in the American market cocktail scene. Often misunderstood, what is clear is its resurgence in the beverage marketing sector in a consumer-focused industry.
Brandy is any distilled spirit made from fermented fruit juice, and there are many spirits and categories that can be considered a type of brandy. For example:
- Cognac and Armagnac: Specific to France and Distilled from Grapes (wine)
- Brandy de Jerez: Spanish Brandy made from 95% Arien Grape
- Calvados: Distilled from Apples and sometimes Pears
- Fruit Brandies: Distilled from Berries and Fruits
- Pomace Style Brandies
- American Brandies
American brandy is capturing the attention of beverage influencers across the United States. Many American distillers are recognizing the opportunity and creating premium brandies using locally grown fruits. From California to Texas, Kentucky to the Carolinas, various brandies are being produced that speak to the American consumers need for premium, local, and authentic spirits while meeting their need for adventure sipping.
Because of the wide variety of growing regions, fruit varietals, and production methods, there is a unique opportunity to experiment with the different flavor profiles. Sly Cosmopoulos, Corporate RNDC Mixologist - Trade Marketing, attended the first annual California Brandy Summit held by E&J Gallo. There she joined other beverage industry influencers and brainstormed ways to promote and educate the brandy category, American-made brandies in particular.
The RNDC Beverage Marketing Team is ready to embrace the first step – education. In certain markets across the RNDC footprint, local mixologists are holding brandy education sessions to educate others about brandy and where it fits in both classic and new innovation cocktails.
Start your brandy education process by trying this brandy cocktail created by RNDC’s talented mixologist, Sly Cosmopoulos!
