Cognac, the finest type of brandy, tastes best when you truly enjoy drinking it. You can drink it neat or make mixed drinks using it. Tastessence tells you the best ways to drink cognac.
Know Your Cognac
VS (Very Special): Youngest cognac, stored for a minimum of two years.
VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): Is a cognac which is stored for a minimum of four years.
XO (Extra Old): Stored for a minimum 6 years, but most XOs are stored for around 20 years.
Whether during the holiday season with your family and friends, or after a simple dinner to spend some quiet time, cognac is a drink which can be your perfect friend. Its rich, delicate notes and spicy flavor make it one of the most popular drinks. It is a type of brandy made in the finest way.
It is produced in the region around Cognac in France, and the French government ensures very strict rules to ensure that only the best reaches your glass. Cognac is made from only a few specified varieties of grapes; the most popular ones being Ugni Blanc. It is distilled twice in copper pot stills, and aged for at least 2 years in French oak barrels. But, most cognacs are aged for more than 2 years, some even for 20 years.
This exquisitely made drink should be savored in an equally exquisite way. So we, at Buzzle, tell you the best ways to drink Cognac. Whether you like it neat or in a cocktail; we have compiled all the amazing ways in which you can enjoy this drink.
Before deciding how to drink your cognac, it is crucial to consider its age. If it’s young, then mix; if it’s old, then drink it neat! Yes, that is the most important mantra to be considered. The older cognacs (XO) have very delicate notes, which will break down if you add anything. So don’t even add ice to it. Water will make it completely bland, so enjoy as is.
How to Drink Cognac Neat
To enjoy this drink, first choose the right glass. A tulip-shaped wine glass is ideally used to drink cognac.
Just serve a shot of Cognac in a tulip-shaped wine glass. It should be 25 ml or 0.85 oz.
Warm the drink in your hands, take in its odor, swirl it a little and then take a sip.
Divine, right? Now enjoy your drink. It is better to drink cognac neat after dinner when there are no distractions.
If going neat is not your cup of tea, err.. glass of cognac, then we have some amazing options for you.
With Chocolate
Hot or cold, cognac pairs really well with chocolate. You can even enjoy the drink with a dollop or lots of whipped cream. Cognac with simple hot or cold chocolate tastes amazing. Definitely worth a try.
Chocolate Cognac Cocktail
Ingredients
- Chocolate syrup, 3 tbsp.
- Cognac, 3 tbsp.
- Crème de cacao, 4 tsp.
- Cream, 3 tbsp.
Instructions
- Combine chocolate syrup, cognac, and crème de cacao in a cocktail shaker.
- Serve in a glass.
- Add the cream and enjoy!
With Coffee
Coffee and Cognac are truly a dream combination. Try cognac with a shot of espresso or even iced coffee.
Cognac Coffee
Ingredients
- Almond milk, 2 oz.
- Cognac 1 oz.
- Coffee liqueur, ½ oz.
- Brown sugar, ¼ oz.
Instructions
- Mix almond milk, coffee liqueur, and brown sugar.
- Pour in a martini glass.
- Add the cognac.
- Cheers!
Juices or Sodas
Make cognac cocktails by combining different fruit juices or sodas with your favorite cognac, and enjoy! Hennessy and Coke make a great drink and is very popular. You can add ice and soda as much as you like to your Cognac. Experiment with different flavors as well.
Citrus Cognac
Ingredients
- Cognac, 2 oz.
- Whiskey, 2 dashes
- Orange liqueur, 1 tsp.
- Lemon juice, 1 tsp.
- Simple Syrup, 1 tsp.
- Lemon slice, for garnish
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients except the lemon slice.
- Pour in a glass.
- Garnish with the lemon slice.
- Enjoy!
Hot Coffee
Everything tastes better with coffee! So combine cognac with freshly brewed coffee for a warm, comforting drink.
Spicy Cognac Coffee
Ingredients
- Brewed coffee, 4 cups
- Cognac, 4 oz.
- Cloves, whole, 3
- Cinnamon stick, ½
- Orange zest, ½ tsp.
- Lemon zest, ½ tsp.
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients except the cognac.
- Let it infuse in a thermos.
- Now, strain the coffee in a glass.
- Add the cognac.
- Enjoy!
Champagne
If you want to take it few notches high, combine champagne with Cognac. Classy and elegant, we say!
Cognac Champagne Cocktail
Ingredients
- Champagne, 6 oz.
- Cognac, 1½ oz.
- Lemon juice, 1 oz.
- Sugar, 1 tsp.
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients except the champagne in a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake well.
- Pour in a champagne glass.
- Add the champagne.
- Enjoy!