Port Wine Cocktail
The Port Wine Cocktail is a strong brandy spirit-forward cocktail, sweet and fruity on the palate. Stirred and served in a cocktail glass.
Flavor profile
- Sweet
- 97 out of 100
- Fruity
- 97 out of 100
- Boozy
- 57 out of 100
How to make a Port Wine Cocktail
To make a Port Wine Cocktail, stir with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: 2½ oz port and 3 dashes brandy.
You'll need
Prefer it silky? Add an egg yolk and dry-shake first: that's the Porto Flip.
Instructions
- 1
Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Pour port and brandy into a mixing glass (any sturdy glass works).
- 3
Fill it with ice.
- 4
Stir for 20-30 seconds, until the outside is cold to the touch.
- 5
Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.
Why stir? Port and brandy are clear, so a gentle stir over ice chills and dilutes them without clouding the drink.
Port Wine Cocktail questions
What does a Port Wine Cocktail taste like, and is it sweet?
Yes, it's on the sweet side: it's mostly sweet and fruity. It's a strong drink at about 17% ABV once mixed.
How much alcohol is in a Port Wine Cocktail?
About 17% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Port Wine Cocktail and a Porto Flip?
Both use port and brandy. The Porto Flip uses egg yolk. The Port Wine Cocktail is stirred and served in a cocktail glass; the Porto Flip is shaken and served in a cocktail glass.
Should a Port Wine Cocktail be shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Port and brandy are clear, so stirring chills it while keeping it silky; shaking would cloud it with tiny bubbles.
What glass do you serve a Port Wine Cocktail in?
A cocktail glass.