How to drink Cognac | Cognac Education | Cognac-Expert.com (2024)

• How and when to drink Cognac?
• Cognac co*cktails
• How to serve Cognac?
• The Cognac Glass
• FAQs

Due to cognac’s rich history and reputation as one the most prestigious spirits in the world, it also tends to carry with it a lot of opinion surrounding the correct way to enjoy it. Now, we don’t believe there is any right answer to this question, however a beverage that has had so much time, energy and love put intoits production surely deserves the appropriate amount of fore-thought as to how it is consumed.

Don’t panic if you’re new to the world of cognac, wanting to get stuck into sampling some eau-de-vie but unsure where to start. Cognac Expert is happy to guide you through the key considerations when it comes to enjoying your cognac. Settle in as we cover the following:

• How to drink cognac - what type, straight or mixed, and when is the time right?
• Cognac co*cktails - a timeline of legendary co*cktails and getting started with your own mixology
• How to serve cognac - aperitif, digestif and what temperature?
• The cognac glass - the tulip, balloon or wobble snifter?
• FAQs

The question of how to drink cognac properly really comes down to personal preference. There are so many differing views on the subject that it’s wise to experiment, and then go with what you like best.

However, we’ve listed a few things to consider below, to help guide you in the right direction when establishing exactly what your style of cognac consumption is.

Okay, so the first thing to think about is thekind of cognac you’re drinking. Is it a younger VS, a VSOP or an old blend – such as an XO – or even a vintage cognac? Is it a sweeter tasting cognac that might be well suited to accompany a dessert, or even be part of the dessert itself? Or has the blend been specifically produced to be a component of a co*cktail, or perhaps an aperitif?

If you’re not brand conscious, then our advice would be to try to find a cognac from a smaller, lesser-known estate. If the brand name is important to you, then it’s likely that you’ll be looking at a cognac from one of the ‘Big 4’ (Hennessy, Martell, Remy Martin, or Courvoisier).

If you are treating yourself to an older cognac, XO Cognacor above, then we definitely recommend sipping it neat and savoring it. Enjoying a cognac straight is the best way to appreciate all the nuances of its aromas and flavors, something that can only be truly achieved without diluting or combining it.

However, sometimes you’re in the mood or the occasion suits for cognac mixed drinks. So we’ve compiled a few recommendations of what to mix with cognac and we suggest using a VS Cognacor VSOP Cognacfor these mixes:

• Cognac and Ginger Ale: The spicy taste of ginger marries delightfully with certain cognacs, the flavor explosion is exotic and sensual. There are also manycognac co*cktails that use the strength of the spice to create a delicious long drink.

• Cognac and Coca Cola: When it comes down to cognac mixers, the time-enduring taste of co*ke combined with a powerful eau-de-vie creates a flavor infusion that millions enjoy.

• Cognac Iced Tea: This is a refreshing and tasty choice to pair with the most famous cognac in the world, Hennessy.

• Cognac and Tonic: Never underestimate the humble tonic as a great way to mix and enjoy cognac. It pairs perfectly and brings out the tones of fruit that cognac is noted for.

There is no ‘best time’ to drink cognac, but there are different levels of cognac that are more appropriate at different times. For example there are what we might call ‘casual’ cognacs, which whilst still commanding a price, can be drunk on a more regular basis and consumed in a rather ‘easy’ manner. But in general, one should appreciate a glass of cognac, because it really is one of the most complex spirits in the world.

Let’s look at some different (and some clichéd) ways of drinking cognac:

• The fashionable way: In a bar, or a night club. Here the choice might well be a VS or VSOP in a co*cktail or with a mixer.Or you could evenbuild your own Cognac bar, and enjoy the spirit ‘the fashionable way’, in the comfort of your own home.

• The traditional way: This might well be considered a little old-fashioned now, as cognac has done much to shake off its dusty stereotype. However, there’s still something to be said about the sheer decadence that is settling back after dinner with a good XO cognac in a balloon snifter and savoring it in front of the fire place. After all, cognac is the king of digestifs, but why exactly is cognac an after dinner drink?

• The intellectual way: Different Single Cru and Single Vineyard Vintage Cognacs, produced with no sugar added and tasted from tulip glasses. Perhaps as a group experience – which can be a tasting session – concentrating on the different aromas and notes of the cognac. This could even be accompanied by a little dessert.

• The special occasion way: There are then obviously some very precious cognacs, which come at a price and should be saved for those rare and memorable moments with your nearest and dearest.

There are many differing opinions about the optimum temperature of a cognac. For instance, should you sip cognac with ice, perhaps straight from the freezer, at room temperature or hand warmed?

We explore this topic further on in our section, ‘how to serve cognac’, where we will be answering the questions of how to drink cognac warm, when it should be served chilled and is cognac an aperitif or digestif?

However, the short answer is, it all boils down to your own personal preferences. There’s no right or wrong way to enjoy your eaux-de-vie. In fact, depending on the circ*mstances you find yourself in, you might enjoy drinking it in a multitude of different ways.

Traditionally, water would never be added to cognac and was a practice reserved for drinking whiskey. However, as time has evolved and as cognac has become increasingly popular across the globe, drinking cognac with water has become common practice in many countries.

This is done either by the addition of ice cubes or a small amount of water. In fact, according to various sources, such as Cognac Otard, adding a small quantity of water can have the same effect as it does when added to whisky; releasing certain aromas and so altering the taste sensation. However, this addition of water needs to be in proportion, as too much can spoil the aromas completely.

If you choose to add water in the form of ice cubes, then it will be necessary to wait until just enough has melted to suit your particular palate. Indeed, this can be an interesting experiment as the aromas, and therefore taste, will change very slightly as more of the ice melts. But it should be noted that excessive cooling of cognac will actually prevent some of the more subtle aromas from coming through.

If you are going to add water to cognac, then it should really only be to aVS orVSOP – these are also the cognacs more usually used in co*cktails. Again, this is a form of watering them down. But if you are lucky enough to have an XO, then in our opinion, you’ll be far better off to thank your lucky stars, settle back, and allow yourself to be seduced by the sensation of drinking it neat.

Okay, so we think that concludes our guide on how to discover your preferences when drinking the liquid gold. Just remember there is no best way to drink cognac, just dive right in and find out for yourself what suits you.

There’s nothing more current than aco*cktail sporting a tasty shot of cognac. Not only is it the trendiest of ways in which to imbibe our favorite drink, but the mixing possibilities are endless.

Whilecognac co*cktails are uber-fashionable today, the penchant for enjoying cognac mixed drinks isn’t limited to the here and now. In fact, the idea has been enjoyed for many centuries. So join us on an in-depth journey into the world of the humble cognac co*cktail. Not only will we introduce you to simple DIY concoctions, a little co*cktail history, and the best co*cktails with cognac, we will also look at incredulous mixologist inventions that will truly make your eyes water (and we’re not just referring to the taste.)

If you’re not interested in co*cktail theory right now and just want to dive right in to trying some of your own cognac mixology, then check out these30 Best Cognac co*cktail Recipes from the Summit.

No-one can deny that the way we enjoy cognac has changed almost beyond recognition over the past couple of decades. In contrast to the old-school habit of drinking it neat, the use of cognac in mixed drinks and co*cktails is now commonplace in virtually every country around the world.

We can even see proof of the longevity behind the trend from thecognac houses themselves. Many have introduced lines specifically to be utilized in co*cktails and mixed drinks. Our beloved spirit has truly embraced the 21st century.

It was probably in the USA that using cognac in a co*cktail or mixed drink first became truly popular. Check out one of America’s oldest known co*cktail recipes, The Sazerac. This trend was soon followed by nations across the globe. Take a look at the beautiful people of China sipping their cognac co*cktails in the hottest night clubs and bars and you can easily appreciate how true this is. However, although the trend may have started in the USA, it seemed America was lagging behind the rest of the world in incorporating cognac as a staple ingredient on co*cktail menus until recently.

Prepare your ingredients:

3 clCourvoisier VSOP Exclusive Cognac

½ fresh lemon, squeezed

1.5 cl Triple Sec (orange liqueur)

1 cl sugar syrup

1 whole lemon peel with pith removed

1 tablespoon crushed Demerara sugar

Method:

Prepare your glass—either a snifter, tulip, or small wine glass. Dip the rim into the fresh lemon juice and then into the sugar to create a crust around the rim. Line the glass with the skin of the lemon peel.

Place all the ingredients into a co*cktail shaker with some ice, shake until well mixed and cooled. Strain into the glass and enjoy.

Other historic cognac co*cktails include, theBrass Monkey and the Spiced Armada.

… “and named after the motorcycle sidecar in which the good captain was driven to and from the little bistro where the drink was born and christened”, as it was written in 1948 by David A. Embury in his acclaimed co*cktail book, ‘The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks’.

This is the story of how the Sidecar co*cktail came to be, it continues on to explain an eccentric British captain in Paris during WWI who frequented his favorite bar in his army issue vehicle. A story well enjoyed by bartenders and customers alike, however this defining cognac co*cktail has a heritage which predates this definition by almost a century.

The first recorded listing for the co*cktail formally known as Side-car, can be found in two co*cktail reads from the early 1920’s (‘Harry’s ABC of co*cktails’ by Harry MacElhone and ‘co*cktails: How To Mix Them’) where both authors credit the drink to, “MacGarry, the popular bartender at Buck’s Club, London” - a private bar still located on Clifford Street in central London. The drink’s formulation around this time is further supported by a publication in the Coshocton Tribune in 1923 which states:

“Another new co*cktail, second only in popularity to the monkey gland, has been named a “side-car,” because it takes the imbiber for a ride. Two-thirds brandy, one-sixth Cointreau and one-sixth lemon juice make up this concoction”.

These days in America it is popular to sugar the rim of a Sidecar co*cktail, which aside from adding to the theatre is always a popular choice with customers. Ironically, once you have done so this very drink (give or take a few altered measures) becomes the Brandy Crusta, the original cognac co*cktail, that we mentioned above.

If you dig deep enough, you are able to follow a rudimentary family tree of classic co*cktails that shows an evolution to today’s most popular co*cktails from their simple and humble beginnings over a century before. Often the only variances involve a new vessel, substituted base spirit or replaced sweetener and therefore allowing each new adaptation, a name reinvented. Here is a brief evolution from the Brandy Crusta, through to the Sidecar and beyond.

• Brandy, orange liqueur, lemon juice, sugar rim
• Served in a globet/wine glass

• Brandy, orange liqueur, lemon juice, sugarsyrup, 2 dashes of rum
• Served in ahighball glass over ice

• Brandy, sugar syrup, lemon juice, orange cordial, dash of soda
• Served in aco*cktail glass

• Cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice
• Served in aco*cktail glass

• Tequila, orange liqueur, lemon juice
• Served in a martini glass (later with a salt rim...coincidence?)

Of course, when it comes to luxury drinks like cognac, there’s always going to be a few no-holds-barred versions. So what do you mix cognac with when money is no object? Let’s take a look at some of the craziest creations that have hit the spotlight over the years.

Other ingredients include Bulgarian Sence Rose Nectar (a rose syrup), freshly squeeze orange juice, and some apricot puree. But the drink experience doesn’t stop there, oh no. Around 20 staff members form a procession to your table where they proceed to mix the champagne cognac co*cktail in front of you. The drinks are presented in two gold-rimmed Baccarat champagne flutes, and if that wasn’t enough, the guys get a pair of sterling silver Mont Blanc cufflinks. For the ladies, (who we think definitely get the better deal) the co*cktail comes complete with a 19 carat gold necklace with a black pearl and a diamond. Now that, is how to drink cognac mixed in style!

Unsurprisingly, the blend has proved a winner with those who’ve had a run of luck at the tables. Around 25 were sold in the first five years after the co*cktail was introduced in 2009.

The Russian’s certainly love their displays of opulence, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the most expensive cognac co*cktail was born at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014. Jumping straight into the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s most expensive drink, this Hennessy-based concoction cost Russian entrepreneur, Andriei Melnikov, an incredible $50,000 US dollars.

TheHennessy in the co*cktail was a rare blend, described as the ‘jewel in the crown of the Hennessy Cognac range’, and was served to him in a glass studded with four carats of diamonds, from the Italian jeweller, Crivelli.

One of the most famous cellar masters of all time has to be Yann Fillioux, who previously held the most illustrious position at the largest of all the cognac houses—Hennessy. While the recipe below might not be his most favorite of all time, the fact that it includes Pineau des Charente makes it really interesting. We also love that it’s so simple to make.

3 cl Pineau des Charente Blanc

3–4 drops of a good quality gin

Thin slice of lime

A couple of ice cubes

Put the ice and a slice in a tumblers glass. Pour in the Pineau and gin. Swirl to mix and you’re good to go. The perfect refresher for a hot summer’s day.

Back in 2010, Hine Cognacwas ahead of its time when it teamed up with mixed drinks specialist, Monin, to produce a limited edition co*cktail case. It was available for sale at the French beverage retail chain, Nicolas and contained an innovative selection of ingredients to tempt the co*cktail crowd.

At the time this was pretty cutting edge, as cognac was still struggling to shake off its stuffy old man image. The case included a bottle of the VSOP H by By Hine, plus 5 small bottles of mixers—including pamplemousse, mint, violette, and strawberry. There was also a brochure with instructions on how to make six different co*cktails.

Just as different cognacs suit different occasions, so do different co*cktails, especially when we are talking about the seasons. There are definitely certain mixes that work best to warm us up in the winter, such as a cognac hot toddy, and lighter, fruitier options for when we’re enjoying that summer sun.

So to help you in finding that perfect thirst quencher for the appropriate time, we’ve included a few links to the best cognac co*cktails and cognac drink recipes below and categorised them according to the season they’ll be enjoyed most.

We love that our beloved drink is so versatile that it can be enjoyed in many different ways. We’re often asked what cognac is the best to use in a co*cktail? To be honest, there’s no definitive answer to this, as it’s totally subjective.

We like a good VSOP, perhaps one that’s slightly over-proof as the potency lends itself well to a mixed drink. But there’s absolutely nothing stopping you using a high quality XO, as the complexity of age can meld wonderfully with a combination of flavors.

Cognac also doesn’t just mix well with other beverages, it can also act as a wonderful ingredient in some superb recipes. You can try therecipe out from the following article: It’s Cooking Time: Tarte Provencale and Cucumber Cognac co*cktail (okay with this one the cognac just accompanies the dish, but there’s still food involved!)

Last, but by no means least, don’t let anyone tell you that the only way to drink cognac is neat. Because nothing could be further from the truth. Of course, you can’t beat the luxurious tasting of a great cognac in isolation. That’s something that’s not simply a drink, but a whole experience in itself. However, there are times and places where only a cognac co*cktail hits the spot.

It’s your drink, so sip it your way. If that’s in a cognac co*cktail, then it’s fine by us. You’ll find us doing exactly the same on a sunny summer’s day.

All VS Cognacs

Now if you’re hosting a dinner party and hoping to give it the sophisticated touch with the inclusion of cognac, you’ll want to make sure you do it right. The appropriate cognac serving is very much dependent on the setting and occasion for which it is being consumed.

If the cognac is intended as an aperitif, an alcoholic drink taken prior to a meal to stimulate the appetite, then it is usually served neat. However, adding a drop of water can draw out the more fruity, floral and spicy aromas for your guests to appreciate and it can also result in a smoother tasting experience.

You may prefer to serve cognac in a simple long drink as an aperitif, in which case accompanying it with tonic or ginger ale, as previously mentioned, is a refreshing option that is often enjoyed by the locals in the Cognac region.

The most traditional method of serving cognac is after dinner as a digestif, where it is served neat and at room temperature in a snifter glass. If you have been storing your cognac below room temperature and you are now wondering how to serve cognac warm, ideally take the bottle out at least an hour before drinking to ensure the optimum cognac temperature serving. However, if you can’t wait or an impromptu cognac moment has occurred then don’t worry, allowing the cognac to warm by hand as your guests hold their snifter glass and enjoy the aromas is another long-established etiquette of cognac tasting that will quickly raise the temperature. Encouraging your guests to heat the glass in their hand is advised, as by allowing your body heat to gently warm the glass, the spirit releases highly delicate notes that you wouldn’t notice at normal room temperature.

When cognac is to be enjoyed during a meal, then it is recommended to serve it neat but the ideal temperature depends on the food that it will be accompanying. If you are serving cognac with a sea food meal, particularly oysters, lobster or sushi, then freezing the spirit can work wonderfully. The cognac does not actually freeze due to the high alcohol level and becomes very viscous, with a luxurious velvety texture.

The question of should cognac be chilled on any occasion is one that has arisen as cognac has continued to progress into the 21st century. There are now some younger cognacs that have been specifically created for drinking chilled, such as ABK6 Ice or De Luze’s A blend.

How to serve cognac is a continuously evolving science, with the options forever expanding as we find new ways and situations within which to enjoy our favorite beverage. And long may it continue.

There are three types of glasses from which to sip your eau-de-vie, however the third is really just a modern take on the second. These are the tulip glass, the balloon glass and the wobble snifter. So keep reading as we examine the options to see what glass for cognac is best.

This glass is widely regarded by experts to be the king of cognac glasses. The design provides maximum surface area for the liquid, whilst allowing it to breathe sufficiently and directing the full force of the bouquet upwards towards the nose to provide maximum aroma, flavor and impact on the senses.

The cognac tulip glass has a long, elegant stem that climbs to a very wide bell. This then curves inwards as the glass ascends and flares out a little at the rim, its appearance is very much like the flower from which it takes its name.

Riedel has designed a stunning Vinum cognac tulip glass that is a beautiful addition to any household, made of thick glass it is sturdy yet retains its elegance.

Also known as a brandy glass, brandy snifter or simply a snifter, this glass tends to be more widely popular than the tulip. However, for aficionados, it’s considered the poorer relation of the two. Such is the strength of feeling by someproducers and connoisseurs that it leads to an inferior taste experience that there’s actually been a move amongst some to ‘smash the snifter’ in recent years. However, the balloon glass remains a tried and tested favorite for brandy drinkers around the world. And it’s so ingrained on a global scale that we think it’ll take more than this to see this old faithful disappear from echelons of brandy and cognac etiquette.

The cognac snifter glass has a short stem and a wide bell that narrows as it reaches the rim. Again, this concentrates the bouquet and intensifies the flavor, although it does this to a lesser extent than that of the tulip.

Schott Zweifels Pure Cognac Glass is a balloon style that combines old fashioned elegance with a contemporary finish. Similar to the Riedel Vinum Cognac glass, this one is also is made of thick glass and therefore gives the feeling of holding something substantial in your hand.

Normally, balloon glasses, which have an extra large bell and close inwards towards the top, are made of thin glass. But the Schott Zwiesel glass has a heavy base and relatively thick rim.

Ravenscroft has also created a beautiful, classical cognac glass to match that traditional cozy fireplace atmosphere. In contrast the Schott Zwiesel snifter, it’s made of very fine, delicate thin crystal. The shape is also very elegant, with not too much of a round “belly”, but more of a curvy form. It’s quite tall for a balloon glass, hence the feeling that you’re drinking out of a slightly more special glass than your average snifter.

This glass is definitely the most Avantgarde of all cognac glasses, although it’s really just a 21st century take on the balloon glass. The shape of the vessel is similar to any other balloon glass, but the big difference is that it has no stem. This means that the bell of the glass is literally rolling (or wobbling) on the table as you put it down, leading to constant movement of your cognac that lends itself to release even more aromas than normal. Although they may be a little complicated to store, due to the lack of sturdy base, they are without doubt a great surprise that’ll surely be a talking point amongst your guests if you bring them out at a dinner party.

Normann Copenhagen designed the innovative stemless cognac glass, successfully combining the traditional balloon glass with a contemporary Scandinavian design. Whether or not you agree with the concept, it certainly makes for a unique cognac glass. Specifically designed to accentuate the colour and movement of the cognac within, as well as keeping the contents at the same temperature, and aiding the aroma to enhance the drinking experience.

If none of these options are available to you, then you may have to improvise. Large belled, narrow rimmed wine glasses can be utilized if necessary and can provide an adequate substitute. Of course, if you choose to drink your cognac on the rocks or with a mixer, then you’ll have to choose the type of glass that best suits your needs for this particular concoction.

The whole idea of the perfect Cognac glass is to give the largest surface area possible, but to then close in at the rim in order to intensify the bouquet and ensure the best introduction to the palate. For those who drink their nectar in its pure and neat form, then you owe it to the beverage to give every opportunity for the best tasting experience. We’d love to know if you have a preference or can recommend a particular glass. Get in touch and let us know what type of glass do you drink cognac in?