Here are the best Hennessy cocktails to try with this centuries old brand of Cognac! It shines in classics from the Sidecar to the Sazerac.
Got Hennessy and want to mix up a drink? You’re in luck: there are loads of great classic cocktails to make with this ages old brand of Cognac. The Hennessy company was founded over 250 years ago in 1765 in France. Today it produces 40% of the world’s Cognac, making it the largest producer of Cognac worldwide. If you’re ready to move beyond drinking it neat, here’s where to start.
Here are 6 classic Hennessy cocktails that highlight the best of its bold flavor! Try a Hennessy Sazerac, the boozy official cocktail of New Orleans. Or if you prefer something sweeter, try the Sidecar, one of the most classic cocktails starring Cognac. And of course…you can’t go wrong with the simple mix of Hennessy and Coke! Let’s get mixing.
And now…6 great Hennessy cocktails to try!
First up in our Hennessy cocktails, a boozy classic cocktail that’s one of the greats: the Sazerac! If you love spirit-forward drinks like the Old Fashioned, this one’s for you. Along with the oak, vanilla and caramel notes of Hennessy, absinthe gives a black licorice finish to each sip! This outlawed liquor is now back in good graces (since 2007, at least), and it’s good reason to try this famous slow sipper. It’s the official drink of New Orleans and one of the oldest cocktails there is.
Got 1 minute? Then you’ve got time to mix up the French Connection: an amaretto and Hennessy cocktail! Arguably the easiest cocktail on the planet, this slow-sipper features Hennessy and amaretto in a perfect pairing. Serve it over ice and you’ve got a sophisticated drink that’s far greater than the sum of its parts. The amaretto gives it an almond essence that matches the strength of the Cognac.
Here’s one of the very best Hennessy cocktails, and possibly one of the best classic cocktails of all time. The Sidecar! What’s so great about the Sidecar? This drink is perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, with just the right edge from the boozy Hennessy. It’s a complex, layered drink: warm, crisp, dry, rich, and full at the same time.
Want a quick and dirty Hennessy cocktail? Try Hennessy and Coke! This spin on the Rum and Coke might be considered low brow by some…but add this Cognac and it’s a top notch drink! The oak, vanilla and caramel notes of the Hennessy are a perfect fit with the sweetness of bubbly cola. Here we’ve added a few tips to take this cocktail to the sophisticated level. Here’s how to make the best Hennessy and Coke to impress all your friends.
Here’s a bright and tangy drink that’s a little sassy: the Between the Sheets cocktail! A spin on the classic Sidecar, it features rum and Hennessy Cognac together: something that in Prohibition times was thought to be a little naughty. The rum adds nuance to this citrusy drink, and it’s a great sour cocktail that goes down easy. Of course, if you’ve never had a Sidecar: go make one of those first. Then you’ll appreciate this drink in all its glory.
Last up in our must-try Hennessy cocktails: the Vieux Carre! If you love a Manhattan or Old Fashioned, it’s safe to say you’ll love this drink too. This unique classic cocktail comes from New Orleans: the name means “French Quarter” in French. It’s strong and alcohol forward, made with not one but two types of bitters. The complex flavor is ideal for Cognac lovers who love to relax with a slow sipper in hand.
What do the letters mean?
Cognac is a type of French brandy, a liquor made from distilling wine. There are several grades of Hennessy Cognac that designate how long it’s been aged:
- VS or 3 stars (2 years)
- VSOP (4 years)
- Napoléon (6 years)
- XO (10 years)
Watch out, bottles of XO can be upwards of $200! No need to go that high-end, of course. You can use a mid-priced VS or VSOP Cognac for all of the Hennessy cocktails above.
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Hennessy Sazerac
(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Here’s how to make a Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans! Cognac, whiskey and absinthe make up this famous drink that tastes like no other.
Ingredients
- 3–4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- 1 sugar cube
- 1 teaspoon absinthe
- 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) Cognac
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) rye whiskey
- Lemon twist
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add the sugar cube and coat it with the bitters. Muddle the sugar cube with a cocktail muddler or wooden spoon until mostly dissolved. Add the Cognac, rye whiskey and absinthe and fill the mixing glass with a handful of ice.
- Stir until cold. Strain the drink into a chilled low ball glass.
- Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of the lemon peel. Squeeze the lemon peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass and serve.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
Keywords: Hennessy cocktails
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About the Authors
Sonja Overhiser
Cookbook Author and writer
Sonja Overhiser is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best healthy cookbooks of 2018. She’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the food blog A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Sonja seeks to inspire adventurous eating to make the world a better place one bite at a time.
Alex Overhiser
Cookbook Author and photographer
Alex Overhiser is an acclaimed food photographer and author based in Indianapolis. He’s host of the food podcast Small Bites and founder of the recipe website A Couple Cooks. Featured from the TODAY Show to Bon Appetit, Alex is author of Pretty Simple Cooking, named one of the best vegetarian cookbooks by Epicurious.
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