Hennessy Mixed Drinks With Mixly
Are you drawn in by the allure of making a Hennessy cocktail, wanting to go beyond the more straightforward two-ingredient Hennessy mixed drinks? Are you hesitant to make a cocktail because of all the steps and ingredients involved? Well, there’s a solution!
Mixly’s mixers provide the fresh, flavorful ingredients we all love in a cocktail, making it as simple as pouring a two-ingredient mixed drink.
Our top 5 Mixly flavors to pair with Hennessy are:
- Rosemary Lemon Honey
If Its Old Drink It Straight
As soon as there is any depth or complexity with a cognac, Desoblin says, it should not be used in cocktails. Save those pricey XO and hors dage spirits for sipping. Aged brandies have very delicate and subtle notes, and he suggests having them without mixers, food or even cigars. Desoblin prefers his cognac after dinner with little distraction. Prerequisites: no stress, anger or loud people around!
Types Of Cognac Different Varieties And What To Look For When Shopping
Cognac is a brandy made in Frances Cognac region since the early 1600s. It is made from double-distilling white wine grapes grown in the area. The resulting spirit has a distinct flavor and aroma that can vary greatly depending on the type of Cognac produced. While some Cognacs are light and fruity, others are dark and full-bodied.
The different types of Cognac are based on the age of the brandy and the number of times it has been distilled. The main types of Cognac are VS , VSOP , XO , and Napoleon.
VS Cognac is a blend of brandies aged for at least two years in oak barrels. It has a light, fruity flavor and can be enjoyed either neat or in a cocktail.
VSOP Cognac is a blend of brandies aged for at least four years in oak barrels. It has a more complex flavor than VS Cognac, with wood, spices, and vanilla notes.
XO Cognac is a blend of brandies aged for at least six years in oak barrels. It is a more decadent and full-bodied spirit with a deep amber color and flavors of dried fruit and spices.
Napoleon Cognac is a blend of brandies aged for at least eight years in oak barrels. It is a very complex and well-rounded spirit with intense flavors of dried fruit, nuts, and spices.
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How To Drink: Neat
If youre a Scotch or rye drinker, Cognac is right up your alley for a new neat sip. Start with XO Cognac. The more age on the Cognac, the more complex the flavors, so XO will deliver a delicate, layered Cognac. Serve it neat, sans ice or water, at room temperature. Give it a swirl to let it open up slightly, and enjoy!
How To Drink Brandy With Ice
Although some may consider it offensive to add ice to a brandy, others find it to be the perfect touch depending on the brandys age and flavor. A brandy that has been aged 2 to 6 years may benefit the most from this drinking method. Use the following tips if you plan to sip your brandy on the rocks or serve it chilled to your customer.
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Drink Your Cognac Straight Up At Room Temperature
Do not heat your cognac or cool itunless you know ahead of time that you prefer your drink served that way. In fact, cradling the glass in your palm is an experienced drinkers way to gently warm the cognac up just a little bit. If you have stored your cognac below room temperature , you want to take the bottle out and let it come to room temperature before serving.
You Can Drink Cognac Frozen
Well, sort of. Cognac has a very high alcohol percentage, which makes it very hard to freeze. Unless you have a medical storage system, your cognac is unlikely to freeze to a solid. Home freezers are typically set to 0°F, and Hennessys glacial limit is -16°F.
That being said, you can certainly stick your cognac in the freezer. If you do, be careful! As the liquid expands, it may shatter your bottle or, at a minimum, push the cork out. So, be sure to drink the bottle down a few inches first and put the bottle in the freezer open. A frozen cognac will get thick and slushy-like.
Many experts will say that freezing cognac will mask and lessen the complexity and intensity of the flavors. While this may be true, you may find that you prefer your cognac in this way. You never know until you give it a try! Its important to note that the drink may seem less alcoholic . But the spirit is actually just as high in alcohol content as when its served at room temperature. Take care not to poison yourself because you cant taste the alcohol!
When serving a frozen cognac, consider finding a metal glass. This will help you keep your drink colder for longer.
Frozen cognac pairs well with seafood, youll find. If you want to give this a try, consider a frozen cognac slushy with oysters, lobster, or sushi.
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How To Drink Cognac According To A French Bartender
America loves Hennessy we imported 6.4 million cases of it in 2017 but we tend to have trouble understanding Cognac as a category. Should we pair Cognac with meals, like wine? Is it a dessert drink? A cocktail ingredient?
Do we need fancy glassware to properly enjoy Cognac? And a smoking jacket?
Cognac is not a secret society, Germain Canto, a bartender at Bar Louise in Cognac, France, says. He is passionate about the versatility of his local spirit. I want people to be less scared of Cognac and what it represents.
How To Buy The Best Cognac
A crucial factor in Cognac etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.
Choose the best
Cognac must display an AOC label on the bottle. The AOC label certifies that the producers respected all legal and quality requirements.
Cognac qualities vary based on their cru .
Finally, Cognac has different denominations based on the aging process.
- V.S. or Very Special: aged for at least 2 years in a cask.
- V.S.O.P. or Very Superior Old Pale: aged for at least 4 years in a cask.
- Napoléon: aged for at least 4 years.
- XO or Extra Old): aged for at least 10 years.
- XXO or Extra Extra Old: aged for at least 14 years.
Alternatives to Cognac
You can replace Cognac with brandy, premium Rum, or Armagnac.
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When Is Rmy Martins Harvest Season And How Does The Distillation Work
Pulci says harvesting occurs in September when the grapes are at peak ripeness.
The grapes are gently pressed, and the juice is left to ferment for five to seven days. The result is white wine dry, acidic, 7-9% alcohol content and with no sugars added perfect for distillation.
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Distillation takes place over a few months from October to March. Pulci says Rémy Martin cognac distils in small copper stills and with the lees, leading to particularly aromatic eaux-de-vie.
Each batch is distilled twice over, a process that takes approximately 24 hours. Lengthy but essential to get the purest essence of the grapes aromas. Finally, blending is where the Cellar Master, Baptiste Loiseau, plays fully his art, combining flavours and blending together eaux-de-vie at different ages. Creating new cognacs but mostly reproducing the signature of the House.
After this selection process, the eaux-de-vie are stored in the cellars for ageing before becoming part of the future cognacs of the House.
Don’t Add Water Or Ice
Water tends to make cognac too bland, unless you deal with a cask-strength bottling, which is rare, Desoblin says, and ice just kills it. In general, serve the spirit neat, at room temperature or slightly cooler. The traditional snifter, with its wide, balloon-shaped bottom and narrow top, is the ideal vessel, Desoblin says: It allows for swirling and therefore the liberation of aromatic compounds.
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What Is Cognac Fine Champagne
Pulci explained it is the appellation of cognac fine champagne defines a blend of eaux-de-vie sourced in Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne, with at least 50% Grande Champagne. Its a geographical denomination that recognizes the precious nature of these two terroirs and their eaux-de-vie.
The name champagne is derived from the latin campania meaning chalky soils, open fields or cultivated land, because it reminded the Romans, who planted the first vines here, of the rolling countryside outside Rome.
Picture: Supplied
He added that at Rémy Martin they define cognac fine champagne as a perfectly balanced expression of these two eaux-de-vie. Its the role of the Cellar Master to create the synergy, to sublimate these two terroirs, and reveal all their aromatic potential. The raw material is already there, in the grapes, the wines, the young eaux-de-vie, thanks to the persistent care and ancestral savoir-faire of its partner-winegrowers and distillers, he adds.
Cognac And Ginger Ale
While this drink doesn’t have an official name, it doesn’t affect its excellent taste. It is another simple recipe made with 1½ ounces of cognac, topped with ginger ale, and served in a tall glass.
The spiciness of the ginger brings out the fruitiness and spices of the cognac, resulting in a bubbly and invigorating drink that can be consumed any time of the day.
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How Best To Drink Cognac
Whether by yourself or with friends, neat or as part as a cocktail, cognac can be enjoyed in many different ways.
COGNACS VERSATILITY THE PERFECT PAIRING FOR ALL OCCASIONS
As an aperitif, cognac is usually consumed neat. Adding a drop of water will reveal more fruity, floral, and spicy aromas, making the tasting experience smoother. Similarly, adding two ice cubes will further dilute the cognac and reduce the alcohol percentage, revealing the same aromas while making the taste more refreshing. The ice cubes should melt slowly, gradually revealing new aromas.
Cognac can even be consumed frozen, which makes the liquid very viscous and gives an experience that is almost velvety in the mouth. This pairs particularly well with seafood, such as oysters, lobster, or sushi.
For a simple, long drink as an aperitif, cognac can be consumed with tonic or ginger ale. In Rémy Martin VSOP, this brings out notes of fresh fruit, and even licorice. This is how the aperitif is typically enjoyed by the locals in Cognac.
discover cognac
NEAT OR ON THE ROCKS
Learn more about the tasting experience when you enjoy cognac neat or on the rocks, and how the glass type also affects it.
Best For A Sidecar: Bache
Courtesy of Drizly
Region: Cognac, France | ABV: 40% | Tasting notes: Vanilla, Butterscotch, Coconut, Pears, Apricot
Flavien Desoblin, owner of New Yorks The Brandy Library finds this young cognac just right for the American palate. In other words, its a bit different and more zesty.
Made from eau-de-vie from the Fin Bois appellation thats aged two years in French Limousin oak, it spends another six months in barrels from Tennessee. That American oak finish leaves it with plenty of vanilla and butterscotch to convert bourbon drinkers, says Desoblin. To really see it shine, however, try it in the classic cognac cocktail that everyone is revisiting now, the Sidecar, where the citrus melds with its snappier fruit notes and balances out its sweetness.
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Remy Martin Is Famous For Its Cognac Fine Champagne Their Global Ambassador Provided Tips To Savour This Spirit The Correct Way
There is a growing perception that certain spirits such as whisky and cognac should be savoured now whatever your age, including cognac fine champagne.
We joined Remy Martin for their opulence revealed experience at Proud Mary in Johannesburg recently. The food pairings celebrated their cognac fine champagne and we learnt the right ways to drink it.
Remy Martin is famous for its cognac fine champagne which contains a blend of eaux-de-vie from both Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne.
Global brand ambassador Maxime Pulci was in South Africa to explain the intricacies of this spirit.
Here are some interesting facts about cognac fine champagne.
Best Under $: H By Hine
Courtesy of Wine.com
Region: Cognac, France | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Apricots, White pepper, Flowers
Designed by bartenders for bartenders, this less expensive V.S.O.P. is blended from eaux-de-vie from the Grande and Petite Champagne regions that are aged for a minimum of four years. Its one of Thorns go-tos for its slightly rounder edges.
With its fruity backbone, vanilla finish, and notes of white flowers and spicy white pepper, it brings enough versatility to play well with other ingredients, adding great dimension to a range of cocktails, from highballs all the way to more spirit-forward drinks.
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How Cognac Is Made
There are six grape-growing regions within the Charente and Charente-Maritime areas of Cognac, France. The main kinds of grape used in cognac are Ugni Blanc , Folle Blanche, and Colombard.
Other grapes can be used, but they are much less common. These varieties include Jurançon Blanc, Sémillon and Folignan.
After the grapes are harvested, theyre fermented for five to seven days. The resulting product ends up between 8.5% and 9.5% ABV.
Then, the blend is distilled two times in copper pot stills. This process produces colorless alcohol called eau-de-vie . Next, the spirit is aged in either Limousin or Tronçais oak barrels for a minimum of two years.
This single-barrel cognac is blended with other cognacs of different ages and qualities when its all done. The final product is a mixture of several different brandies. When you see an age statement on the packaging of a cognac bottle, it refers to the youngest eau-de-vie in the recipe.
Cognacs are categorized by age. They can be VS, or very special, which are aged for at least two years. They can be VSOP, or very superior old pale, aged for at least four years. Or they can be XO, or extra-old, which are aged for at least ten years.
Like the age statement on the bottles, these categories refer to the youngest cognac used in the mixture. The oldest cognac is not even considered in the categorization of the drink.
Best For Beginners: Hine Rare Vsop
Courtesy of Drizly
Region: Cognac, France | ABV: 40% | Tasting Notes: Almonds, Orange, Chocolate, Dried flowers
A really youthful cognac can often taste hot and alcoholic, says Thorn, so though VS cognac is less expensive, it might turn off beginners. Instead, she suggests spending a bit more money to invest in a cognac with some age on it.
I love the Hine Rare VSOP, she says. Its great for both tall, light cocktails and more spirit-forward drinks. But to get the most out of it, novices should try it on its own. Almond skin, dried petals, and plenty of fruit meet a luscious mouthfeel and round, nutty flavors. Its a lovely sipping spirit with very well-balanced, beautiful characteristics, says Thorn.
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Top 10 Hennessy Mixed Drinks & Cocktails
As one would expect from a brand as iconic as Hennessy, there is no shortage of delicious cocktails that call for their cognac. Hennessy mixed drinks are perfect for any occasion, whether you’re looking to celebrate something special or enjoy a delightful drink with friends.
Here are ten of the best Hennessy mixed drinks that will please any palatefrom mixologist-approved cocktails to simple two-ingredient mixed drinks for quick imbibing.
Let’s dive in!
Introduction To Cognac: What Is Cognac And How Is It Made
Cognac is an iconic French spirit made from a type of brandy. It is made exclusively from white wine grapes grown in the Cognac region of France and distilled twice in copper pot stills. The resulting spirit is then aged in French oak barrels for at least two years, though many producers age their cognacs for much longer.
The name Cognac comes from the tiny French town of Cognac, located in the Charente region of southwestern France. This area has been producing Cognac since the 16th century, and the process of making Cognac has remained unchanged. Making Cognac is simple, though it requires great skill and attention to detail.
The first step in the process of making Cognac is to select suitable grapes. The grapes used to make Cognac are white wine, most commonly Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Colombard. Once the grapes are harvested, they are pressed and then fermented to produce a wine with an alcohol content of between 7-9%. This wine is then distilled twice in copper pot stills. During the distillation process, the alcohol content is increased to between 40-65%.
The next step in the production of Cognac is aging. The spirit is aged in French oak barrels for at least two years, though many producers choose to age their Cognac for much longer. The aging process helps to develop Cognacs flavor and aroma, giving it its distinctive character.
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