Enchantress Cocktail Recipe
Enchantress Cocktail Recipe

Enchantress

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Cocktail History

The Enchantress is a classic cocktail was first published in a cocktail guide written by bartender Charles B. Campbell in 1867. It pairs Cognac with the robust taste of ruby port wine, the sweetness of orange liqueur, and the sourness of lemon to create a dark, deep dessert drink that’s worthy of rediscovery in the modern age.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Cognac: This is a type of brandy made in Cognac, France with distilled white wine. I used Courvoisier VSOP Cognac.

Ruby Port: This is a fortified wine made in Portugal with a blend of red grapes. I used Sandeman Fine Ruby Porto.

Orange Curaçao: This is a liqueur made with oranges, sugar, and brandy or rum. I used Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lemon. I used freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Lemon Peel: This the peel of a lemon that has been cut into a strip.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.

Peeler: This is a small, handheld tool with a sharp blade that’s used to remove the outer skin of fruits and vegetables. I used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.

Martini Glass: This is a stemmed glass with a wide, shallow bowl and a narrow stem that allows the cocktail to be chilled while minimizing surface area for evaporation. I used the Libbey Capone Martini Glasses.

OXO SteeL Double Jigger
OXO SteeL Double Jigger
Two sided – flip for different measurements; Soft, non-slip grip for comfortable pouring; Permanent laser-etched measurements won’t wear off
$11.99 Amazon Prime
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Pairing Knife,Black/Silver,3-1/2-Inch
Sturdy, stainless steel blade; Soft, comfortable, non-slip handle ensures a safe grip; Hand wash with warm, soapy water and promptly dry
$12.99 Amazon Prime
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set - Swivel and Julienne
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set – Swivel and Julienne
Sharp, durable, Japanese stainless steel blades won’t rust; Straight Peeler all-purpose design for effortless prep
$16.95 Amazon Prime
I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks Martini Picks Set (Pack of 15)
I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Picks Martini Picks Set (Pack of 15)
Measure: 4.25″; Material: stainless steel 304, color: silver; Reusable martini olive skewers, stainless steel olive stuffer.
$6.98 Amazon Prime
Libbey Capone Entertaining Set with 4 Martini Glasses and Shaker
Libbey Capone Entertaining Set with 4 Martini Glasses and Shaker
Give your classic cocktail skills a sophisticated vintage-style presentation; Complete martini glass set includes a classic shaker to make entertaining easy
Libbey 8876 Art Deco 6 oz Martini Glass, Set of 6 with Bonus FDL Picks
Libbey 8876 Art Deco 6 oz Martini Glass, Set of 6 with Bonus FDL Picks
Quantity of 6 Art Deco 6 oz Libbey 8876 Martini Glass; Great for floated mixers, martinis, and a wide variety of mixed drinks and desserts
$63.40 Amazon Prime

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-14.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

Appearance: Dark red color

• Aroma: Wine and brandy

• Taste: Dark and brooding grape flavor that turns into light citrus and orange notes

• Finish: Brandy spices and tart citrus

Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kendall’s Take: “I tweaked the specs listed in the book so the Enchantress would be more balanced, and I’m glad I did. Paring down the amount of brandy and ruby port made for one delicious drink that’s deep in not only color but taste too. If you’re in the mood for a wine-based dessert cocktail, I would pick this one. It’s a classic for a reason and deserves a resurgence in its popularity.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Art of Vintage Cocktails by Stephanie Rosenbaum.

Sale
The Art of Vintage Cocktails
The Art of Vintage Cocktails
Hardcover Book; Rosenbaum, Stephanie (Author); English (Publication Language); 108 Pages – 01/07/2014 (Publication Date) – Egg & Dart (Publisher)
$6.99

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-14.

Enchantress

The Enchantress is a classic cocktail was first published in a cocktail guide written by bartender Charles B. Campbell in 1867. It pairs Cognac with the robust taste of ruby port wine, the sweetness of orange liqueur, and the sourness of lemon to create a dark, deep dessert drink that’s worthy of rediscovery in the modern age.

Prep Time 3 mins Assembly Time 2 mins Total Time 5 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Servings: 1 Calories: 225 Best Season: Any

Ingredients

Method

  1. Add brandy, wine, orange curaçao, lemon juice, and cubed ice to a shaker.

  2. Shake for 10-20 seconds.

  3. Strain into a cocktail or wine glass.

  4. Garnish with lemon peel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand All:
How do I make this cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?

Use Escape Mocktails Non-Alcoholic Cognac Alternative in place of the brandy, R.W. Knudsen Just Concord Grape Juice mixed with lime zest in place of the wine, and Monin Premium Triple Sec Syrup in place of the orange liqueur to try a mocktail version of this drink.

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About The Author

Kendall is the creator of Novel Nightcaps, a mixology blog chronicling recipes she tries from her cocktail book collection.