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If you have a soft spot in your heart for Cognac, then June 4th is a good day to celebrate: it’s National Cognac Day!
Cognac gets its name from the French city Cognac, and is produced in the wine-region that surrounds the city. With close to 200 producers of cognac there are plenty of bottles to choose from. Stir yourself up a cocktail with the well-known variety of brandy – use one of these recipes courtesy of Hennessy and toast the day with good friends!
Jerry Thomas Brandy Punch
The first cocktail in the first cocktail book created in 1862 by Jerry “The Professor” Thomas.
1.5 liters of Water
1 liter Hennessy V.S.O.P
5 oz of Lightly Aged Rum
2 cups of simple syrup or 3 cups of sugar
9 oz of lemon juice
2 oz Grand Marnier
4 oz of Hibiscus Grenadine
½ a pineapple sliced
2 oranges sliced into wheels
1 package of Raspberries
French 75
Though originally thought to be a Gin based Classic, The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks by David Embury, claims that the French 75 is a Cognac-based drink. Either way the combination of Hennessy and champagne is a classic that will continue to delight.
1.5 oz Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
0.5 oz Simple syrup
0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Top with sparkling wine or champagne
Garnish: Lemon Twist
The Hennessy Sazerac
In 1850, Aaron Bird of the Sazerac House Bar in New Orleans created this iconic cocktail. To taste it is to taste the culture that only exists in the Big Easy.
2.5 oz Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
0.125 oz Absinthe
0.5 oz Simple Syrup
5 Dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
Garnish: Lemon Twist
Between the Sheets
Between the Sheets was created in 1930 by Harry MacElhone, head bartender at the eponymous Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. It is a take on the iconic Sidecar, the addition of rum helps to add to the complexity and elegant balance.
1 oz Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
1 oz Ten Cane Rum
1 oz Orange Curacao
0.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
Garnish: Lemon Twist
