History of Brulot Charentais

Brulot Charentais is 3 centuries old!

In times gone by, most people used to take a hot drink or infusion, before going to bed. In the Cognac area, many opted for a wine topped off with burning alcohol, which had the effect of producing 'mulled'wine.

The flames symbolised 'festivity'either during or after a meal.

For special occasions - baptisms, communions, marriages, birthdays, Christmas, Easter and the like, the Charentais wine farmers, would add a slug of neat Cognac, straight from the cask, to the surface. This Cognac, strong in alcohol, was set alight, reducing its strength and producing striking blue flames.

Thus Brulot Charentais was born.

The sugar in the saucer would soak up any 'stray drops'of Cognac which also combusted, and blended together, formed a liqueur rich in Cognac flavours. The coffee’s taste was transformed by combining with the sugar and Cognac. The coffee reaches drinking temperature due to the combustion.

The recipe preserves the aroma and flavour of the Cognac, whilst reducing the strength (down to about 2 - 3 percent).

Make your 'soirées'more festive with a cup of flaming Brulot Charentais!