The Boy and his Poison: The Betsy Ross

It was a rainy weekend and I had a hankering for something with port in it so went on a hunt through the library (aka the 3 foot of shelf space I'm allowed to indulge my cocktail book habit on) for something to sate my thirst. A few 'experiments', a packet of crackers and several hunks of cheese later (an intrepid cocktail hunter sometimes needs sustenance) I'd found the Betsy Ross.

Originally named in honour of the woman that sewed the first American flag, the drink surfaced in a 1940's cocktail book and with equal parts brandy and port its makes a great after dinner drink. Don't worry too much about the type of port, as long as it's a ruby one it will be perfect and curaçao and Cointreau are essentially the same thing so use what you have to hand.

You'll need:

• 40ml of brandy (this is just shy of a double measure in a jigger)  
• 40ml ruby port
• 15ml curaçao  (half a single measure in a jigger)
• 2 dashes of angostura bitters 

Then make it:

• Add all the ingredients to an ice filled shaker
• Stir for 10-15 seconds
• Strain into a coupe glass