What Is The Proper Way To Drink Cognac
The Best Way to Drink Cognac
The Choice Is Yours Alone
Cognacâs versatility is part of its charm. And when learning how to drink cognac, it pays to keep this front of mind.
It can be drunk dry, with ice or diluted with a little water. Alone or with friends, with a meal or degustation. As a simple cocktail with cognac â or an elaborate one, in a mixed drink, with tea, or even drop by drop. The choice is yours, and yours alone.
If one is new to the rich world of cognac, an aged-based approach to drinking Franceâs famed amber spirit makes perfect sense.
, made from eaux-de-vie aged for at least two years, is an ideal entry. One will experience first-hand the authentic aromas of grapes that distinguish cognac from other brandies, whiskies, or indeed any distilled spirit made from fruits and grains.
Next, . This elegant cognac has refined and generous aromas, with luscious fruit notes and hints of wood and soft spice.
This will develop oneâs understanding of the underlying aromas of a cognac and the effect of aging on taste, important stepping stones to best appreciate older, more intense cognacs such as .
When drinking cognac neat, Maison Martell does not recommend heating the cognac. This is to avoid the alcohol expressing itself too strongly and the aromas being released too quickly.
Maison Martell also advises the use of a tulip glass rather than a balloon glass, as it allows a better appreciation of the cognacâs aromatic palette.
As With Any Other Waitressing Job Sometimes Guests Are Rude
Only, we have the added component of people being drunk, which sometimes makes it just a little bit more difficult. My personal pet peeve is when people are just sloppy. The worst is when people accidentally burn you with their cigarettes, because it just seems so disrespectful to me. If you’re responsible enough to be able to smoke, you should be responsible enough not to burn people.
I think the job is a lot grosser than people realize. There’s throw-up, and glass breaks, and sometimes things like that are just unavoidable. I’ve never personally been thrown up on, but I know plenty of people who have been. When that happens, you’re given the option to go home most of the time. But sometimes, if it’s a really big night, you might just go and change and come back out.
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Seek Out These Smaller Craft Producers
The biggest Cognac brands endorsed by musicians, actors, and athletes have inundated us with commercials over the last decade. Hennessy, Remy Martin, Courvoisier, and Martell account for over 80 percent of sales in the United States . But beyond these Big Four are smaller houses that are only known in the U.S. amongst connoisseurs and bartenders and to many of these educated few, their stuff is even better than the big guys’! Here are five to get to know:
Take A Sip & Enjoy Its Taste
Creating a cognac is painstakingly long as you create a wine to produce a cognac. When you drink this, make sure that you take time to let the cognac linger through your mouth before letting it slide down your throat.
A cognac, such as Hennessy, is to be savored completely as this is a special cognac blend. Check out what to mix with Hennessy here.
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Drink It Depending On The Environment
The Traditional Way
Enjoying a cognac drink along with good friends and family after a sumptuous dinner is the traditional way to drink Hennessy. You can sit back and reminisce old times with a tulip glass in your hand. You exchange memories with people close to your heart. To some, drinking Hennessy is best enjoyed the traditional way. But, how much Henny can get you drunk?
The Intellectual Way
Drinking cognac with other individuals who also adore the complexity of its flavor is another way to enjoy Hennessy. Along with them, you can discuss the floral notes you smell and the long and meticulous process it passed through.
You talk with them about cognac starting from fruit selection to its time ith the copper pot stills down to the time it aged for at least two years in French barrels.
The Fashionable Way
Some people drink cognac slowly, but others love this spirit when mixed. Mixed drinks and cocktails are common when out socializing with other people. Many drinkers prefer Hennessy cocktails like club soda and VSOP with a lemon slice as garnish.
Some want it with lemon juice or cranberry juice with lemon zest and fresh fruits sliced. Or a Hennessy VSOP cognac with club soda or lemon juice and simple syrup.
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Cognac Serving & Drinking Etiquette: The Worst Mistakes
The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors.
A high score means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. More about the Rude Index and its methodology here.
When serving or drinking Cognac, avoid the worst etiquette mistakes.
- 10/10. Getting drunk.
- 7/10. Adding ice to Cognac.
- 7/10. Drinking shots of Cognac.
- 5/10. Serving an already opened bottle on a formal occasion.
How Do You Drink Cognac Like A Pro
Cognac is a longtime favorite in the wine world for its smooth, fruity taste and luxurious texture. But how do you drink cognac like a pro? There are many ways to enjoy cognac, but our top tips will help you enjoy this classic wine the right way.
If you want to learn how to make Cognac like a pro, start with these tips:
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To fill smaller cracks you should use rubberized asphalt-emulsion crack filler. Try to avoid getting any of the filler on unaffected areas as it can stain the driveway. Apply the filler using a caulking gun if available. If you don?t have a caulking gun, the filler can be poured carefully into the crack.
Great Drinks To Mix With Cognac
Cognac is the perfect spirit with which to experiment. From the simple addition of a block of ice through to the complexity of a multi-ingredient cocktail, theres many common and not-so-common additions that make for a wonderful taste experience.
Some examples include:
- Ginger ale: The spicy taste of ginger marries delightfully with Cognac. Use a highball glass, a shot of your favorite Cognac, and a generous portion of ginger ale. We particularly like it with Fever Tree Ginger Ale or, for an exotic twist, use the Fever Tree Spiced Orange Ginger Ale, which marries sweet clementine and cinnamon.
- Coca Cola: The time-enduring taste of Coke combined with a powerful eau-de-vie creates a flavor infusion that millions enjoy. For us, we mix our chosen Cognac with a splash of the fizzy stuff, ice, and a slice of lemon.
- Iced tea: It might not sound the most obvious choice, but Cognac and iced tea is an incredible twist on a drink thats a favorite with millions around the world. Mix 1.5 oz of VS or VSOP Hennessy Cognac with 0.5 oz of Grand Marnier, 2 oz of unsweetened cold tea, 1 oz of simple syrup, and 0.5 oz of fresh lemon juice. Shake it up with some ice in a cocktail shaker, garnish with a twist of orange, and voilayour drink is ready.
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I Usually Work 3 Days A Week
Image Credit: Courtesy of Carrie Orozco
The nightclub opens at 10:30 p.m., and I start getting ready at home two hours before. I eat dinner before I go and pack a snack, then I change into my dress and high heels and do any touch-ups while I’m there.
When I get to work, I set up my section and go to a pre-shift meeting with my department. There’s been a huge liquor shortage, so we’ve had to change our menu. Discussing menu changes has been a big part of our pre-shift meeting lately. We also find out what guests are coming in for and if there are any important birthdays. Then we break to go to our sections and wait.
I usually have anywhere from two to four tables depending on my section. Our job is to guide them through the night, although we’re supposed to sell to them and encourage them to buy. Ultimately, we want them to have a good time so they want to come back. That’s more important than blowing their budget.
Great Cocktails To Try At Home
If youre ready to try your hand at home mixology, we first suggest investing in a few key pieces of equipment:
- A lemon press is essential
- A cocktail shaker
Serving glasses: While drinking Cognac in its unadulterated form is best done from a tulip glass or balloon snifter, you also need to choose the most appropriate one for a cocktail. This means youll need a rangea highball, a tumbler, a long drink glass, a Champagne coupe, and a Champagne flute.
The following details the names of our Top 30 Cognac cocktails.
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Is Cognac Good With Sprite
FWIW, Hennessy makes some really excellent cognacs, and mixing them with sprite will cover, mask or cancel many aspects of their flavor. Mix Hpnotiq liqueur, Hennessy cognac, and Blue Curacao liqueur in a mixer. Strain into a highball glass with ice .
Hennessys Recipes Have Been In Use Since The Early 1800s
We tried three variations of Hennessy and the earliest of them was first produced in 1817. VS variation was first imagined as a recipe in 1865, and XO in 1870.
Those core spirits of the brands have staying power, but Hennessy produces variations such as Hennessy Paradis, Paradis Imperial, and Hennessy Black.
The brand has different flavor profiles for its markets across the globe.
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Which Grade Of Cognac Is The Best
Les og lær om:skjul19Will cognac give you a hangover?
Hors dAge is widely considered the highest quality Cognac. This will have been aged, usually for more than 30 years but in many instances, it is difficult to tell the exact age of Cognacs in this classification as they have been around for so long.
Choose The Right Glass
Using the right glass for drinkers is crucial to their tasting experience. When it comes to tasting cognac, a snifter is the best choice. Its clever design allows for the evaporation and concentration of aromas.
Its wide bowl also allows the easy distribution and collection of aroma compounds. Meanwhile, its narrow lips trap these smells, preventing them from escaping from the glass.
If you don’t have a snifter, you can use balloon or tulip glasses. Furthermore, when making cognac cocktails, you can use highball glasses or rocks glasses.
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Take Your Damned Time With It
While today’s smartphone culture values instant gratification above all else, Cognac is and always has been all about patience: it takes time to produce, and time to appreciate. Slow down! Pour yourself a glass of “XO” Cognac and take your time with it. Think about what it smells and tastes like, and what went into making it. When sipped meditatively, Cognac can bring us some much-needed peace and sanity in a far-too-fast-paced world.
A Complete History Of Cognac Cocktails
While Americans are responsible for honing the art of cocktails, the real story begins much earlier and on the other side of the pond. In the UK, the British loved to concoct a puncha party drink that consisted of a large bowl of spirits, mixed with fruit juices, spices, and other flavors. It was incredibly popular during the 17th century amongst sailors when they ran out of beer and wine. They invented the drink to dilute overpowering spirits and make them more palatable.
Rum was the staple alcoholic ingredient of punch during that time. Cognac was increasingly difficult to acquire in England due to the constant wars against France and Spain. It didnt take long before this sailors concoction spilled over into wider societyand the concept of a mixed drink with an alcohol base was born.
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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.
How To Drink Xo Cognac
When you level up to the older Hennessy XO, or “Extra Old,” which is aged for at least 10 years, you want to drink it either neat or on the rocks, Poirier said. When drinking it neat, you should use a tulip-shaped glass, which allows you to “really enjoy the color thanks to the shape and for the aroma to get to your nose,” Poirier told me.
But if you’re drinking your cognac with ice, a tumbler glass is best.
You can also simply add cold water to your cognac.
“Water will create a sort of explosion of the molecules, of the aromas, so it’s easier to find the aromas,” Poirier said. “Even the tasting committees are always adding a bit of water.”
According to Poirier, the most important thing is to enjoy cognac however you like it.
“We don’t like to tell people, ‘OK, this is the good thing, this is the bad thing. This, yes. This, no,'” she said. “It’s more advice … Otherwise, just have fun.”
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What Are The Three Types Of Cognac
The current legally defined categories of Cognac include:
- V.S.: Eau de vies with a minimum age of two years. Also known as Very Special or Three Stars.
- V.S.O.P.: Eau de vies with a minimum age of four years. Also known as Very Special Old Pale or Reserve.
- X.O.: Eau de vies with a minimum age of six years.
The Best Cognacs For Cocktails
The most important point here is this: there is no right or wrong Cognac to use in a cocktail. You might hear some say that you should only use a VS, or that an XO is too special to adulterate with other ingredients.
We have one thing to say to thisand its something weve championed for many, many years:
There are no rules about how to drink Cognac.
The only requirement is that you enjoy it. VS, VSOP, and XOs all lend themselves to mixed drinks. The fiery youth of a VS works well in cocktails with strong-tasting ingredients. A VSOP is a wonderful middle-of-the-road choice, and an XO? Well, the aged undertones and even rancio can combine with other flavors for a sublime taste sensation.
Discover more about the different age categories of VS, VSOP, and XO Cognac.
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So What Do You Mix With Cognac
You can mix cognac with water/soda, aromatic bitters, lemonade, vermouth, and tea. Nine cognac mixers on our list will surely satisfy your palate.
Whether you want to try a Japanese cocktail, Creme De Menthe, Milk Punch, or drink Cognac Margarita, you can use the mixers we listed above to spice your night or reward yourself after a long day.
So, what are you waiting for? Prepare your favorite cocktail glass with these mixers, and make yourself a delicious beverage. But remember, drink responsibly!
Reference:
How To Drink Hennessy: Complete Guide
Last Updated on October 13, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Hennessy produces variations of cognacs which are all exceptional, regardless of ingredients, age, or the French oak barrels where they stored it. However, do you know that you can enjoy your favorite Hennessy more if you drink it the right way?
Learn how to drink Hennessy cognac with our teams easy but comprehensive guide.
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How Does Cognac Taste
Depending on the way cognac is blended and aged, it can offer you an endless variety of flavours. Generally speaking, cognac has a somewhat vinous flavour given that it is a product of distilling wine.
However, this characteristic is often subdued due to the prolonged ageing process. Indeed, the oak barrels play an important factor and the wood greatly influences the eau-de-vies resulting flavour.
A cognac that is well-aged will express the way it was produced with a complex tableau of rich flavours. Typically, cognac reveals candied fruit and citrus flavour on the nose, which are often accompanied by spices. Meanwhile, the cognacs taste may consist of spices, leather, caramelised fruit, and citrus.
Finally, high-quality cognac is usually quite dry as the beverage can only be sweetened with no more than 1.5 grams per litre of sugar. Combined with the tannins, an old cognac often has a smooth mouthfeel with a velvety texture.
However, younger cognacs can be a little more lively with a robust character and a spicy primary taste.