A Gilded Age classic — brandy and white crème de menthe, stirred or shaken. Winston Churchill reputedly drank one nightly. The original after-dinner cocktail: warming, minty, surprisingly sophisticated.

• Cognac or brandy5 cl
• White crème de menthe2 cl

1. 1Combine cognac and white crème de menthe in a mixing glass with ice.
2. 2Stir for 20–25 seconds until cold.
3. 3Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. 4No garnish needed — the clarity of the drink is part of its elegance.