Charles Cocktail

Bitter Brandy cocktails are fashionable in the winter. They taste like rare antiques, beautiful in the correct setting. It's not a bad idea to dust off this old recipe that has a lot of similarities to a Brandy Manhattan.

To increase bitterness, I chose Punt E Mes vermouth, one of the most bitter sweet vermouths on the market. I also go liberal with the Angostura bitters. When given a choice to use between three and five dashes, I always use five.

• 2 oz. brandy (Asbach Uralt used)
• 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth (Punt E Mes used)
• 3-5 dashes Angostura bitters

 Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.