The American Beauty is a vintage cocktail combining brandy, dry vermouth, and white crème de menthe with bright citrus and grenadine notes. This balanced aperitif delivers herbal complexity with subtle sweetness, making it ideal for pre-dinner service.
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Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass and top with a dash of port.
Cocktails are consumed immediately after preparation; do not store mixed drinks. Prepare components in advance and combine fresh to order.
cocktail shaker or mixing glass · bar spoon · jigger · strainer · coupe or cocktail glass
Crème de menthe is essential to the recipe's character. Omitting it changes the drink significantly; consider substituting with a small amount of peppermint schnapps if needed, though the flavor profile will shift.
A standard VS or VSOP brandy works well. Avoid overly premium cognac, as the other ingredients will mask its subtlety; Mr. Boston Five Star Brandy or comparable mid-range brandy is appropriate.
Stir with ice for 10–15 seconds to chill and dilute slightly, then strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. This balances the spirits and citrus flavors.
Yes. Multiply all ingredients by the number of servings needed, stir together with ice, and let sit briefly before serving. Avoid pre-batching more than a few hours ahead, as dilution increases over time.
A cherry or orange twist complements the grenadine and orange juice. A sprig of fresh mint echoes the crème de menthe.
