Brandy Sour: The Cyprus National Cocktail, Its Story and the Authentic Recipe

Ask anyone who has spent a summer in Cyprus what they drank, and the answer is usually the same: a tall, cold, amber Brandy Sour. It is the island's unofficial national cocktail, it takes two minutes to make, and it tastes wrong with anything other than Cyprus brandy. Here is why, and how to make one properly at home.

A Cocktail Invented for a King

The story goes back to the 1930s and the Forest Park Hotel in Platres, a cool mountain village in the Troodos range where wealthy visitors escaped the summer heat. One regular guest was the young King Farouk of Egypt. He enjoyed a drink but, as a Muslim monarch, preferred not to be seen with one.

The hotel bar came up with a solution: a long brandy cocktail served in a tall glass, the colour of iced tea. It looked innocent, tasted wonderful, and quickly spread from the mountains to every bar and beach on the island. It has never left.

Why It Has to Be Cyprus Brandy

Cyprus brandy is not the same as French cognac. It is lighter, softer and slightly sweeter, often bottled at a lower strength, and it is distilled from local grapes such as Xynisteri. A Brandy Sour is built around that gentle style. Make it with a heavy, oaky cognac and the drink turns harsh and unbalanced.

Brandies we recommend:

• KEO VSOP is the classic bar choice for a Brandy Sour and the one most Cypriots reach for.
• Haggipavlu Anglias is the other traditional option, light and smooth, and a favourite in village coffee shops.
• KEO Five Kings is an aged, fuller brandy. It is better sipped neat after dinner than mixed.

See the full range in our Cyprus brandy collection.

The Authentic Brandy Sour Recipe

Every barman in Cyprus has a slightly different ratio. This is the standard one.

Ingredients (one tall glass)

• 50 ml Cyprus brandy
• 25 ml Cypriot lemon squash (a sweet lemon cordial)
• 2 to 4 drops of Angostura bitters
• Soda water or lemonade, to top up
• Plenty of ice
• A slice of lemon

Method

1. Fill a tall glass with ice.
2. Add the bitters first, straight onto the ice.
3. Pour in the brandy and the lemon squash.
4. Top up with soda water for a drier drink, or lemonade for a sweeter one.
5. Stir gently and finish with a slice of lemon.

The part people get wrong: fresh lemon juice is not a substitute for lemon squash. The cordial brings sweetness as well as sharpness, and that balance is the whole drink. If you only have fresh lemons, mix 25 ml of juice with two teaspoons of sugar syrup. For the real thing, browse our Cypriot cordials and squashes, including the Kean range that most bars on the island use.

Three Easy Variations

• Sugar rim. Wet the rim of the glass with lemon and dip it in sugar. This is how many of the older hotel bars still serve it.
• Orange twist. Add 15 ml of Filfar, the Cypriot orange liqueur, for a rounder, more fragrant drink.
• Cherry finish. A small splash of Haggipavlu Cherry Brandy gives colour and a soft fruit note.

Filfar: The Other Bottle Behind Every Cypriot Bar

Filfar is a bright, bittersweet orange liqueur made in Cyprus from local citrus, and it is one of the bottles our customers abroad ask for most. Serve it ice cold as a digestif, pour it over vanilla ice cream, use it in place of triple sec in a margarita, or add a spoonful to cake batter and fruit salads. If you like Cointreau or Grand Marnier, you will like Filfar.

What to Serve With a Brandy Sour

In Cyprus it arrives with something salty. Put out a bowl of olives, some nuts, a few slices of grilled halloumi or a bag of oregano crisps, and you have the full experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the national drink of Cyprus?

The Brandy Sour is widely regarded as the national cocktail. The national spirit is Zivania, and the most historic wine is Commandaria.

Can I make a Brandy Sour with cognac?

You can, but it will not taste like the one you had in Cyprus. Cyprus brandy is lighter and sweeter, and the recipe is balanced around it.

Is a Brandy Sour strong?

Not very. It is a long drink with a single measure of brandy and a lot of ice and soda, which is exactly why it suits hot afternoons.

Do you ship Cyprus brandy abroad?

Yes. We ship brandy and liqueurs from Cyprus to most of Europe, the UK, the United States, Australia and many other countries. Shipping is charged by weight, so adding a bottle of Filfar or a cordial to the same box costs very little extra.

Ready to mix one? Start with a bottle from our brandy collection, add a lemon cordial, and explore the rest of our Cypriot and Greek liqueurs.