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How to drink cognac
How to drink cognac
How to drink cognac
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 into its 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 do you drink Cognac
In general, one should appreciate a glass of cognac, because it really is one of the most complex spirits in the world.
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.
Straight or mixed, and the choice of cognac
Okay, so the first thing to think about is the kind 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 cocktail, 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 Cognac or 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 Cognac or VSOP Cognac for 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 many cognac cocktails 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 Coke 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.
The environment - when is the best time to drink cognac?
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 cocktail or with a mixer. Or you could even build 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.
However, no matter where to drink it, for those seeking to elevate their Cognac experience to the epitome of sophistication, pairing it can be an exquisite choice. Chocolate aficionados can indulge in the rich complexities of Cognac by pairing it with high-quality dark chocolate, allowing the flavors to interplay in a symphony of decadence on the palate. Alternatively, for those with a penchant for savories, pairing Cognac with a fine cigar can be an equally luxurious choice. Enthusiasts may find the robust notes of Last Call Cuban cigars complementing the smooth, nuanced profile of Cognac, creating a sensory journey that transcends the ordinary. Whether sipping solo or enjoying in good company, these pairings add an extra layer of refinement to the fashionable indulgence of Cognac.
The temperature
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 circumstances you find yourself in, you might enjoy drinking it in a multitude of different ways.
Water - yes or no?
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 a VS or VSOP – these are also the cognacs more usually used in cocktails. 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.
Cognac Cocktails
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 cocktails is now commonplace in virtually every country around the world.
There’s nothing more current than a cocktail 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.
While cognac cocktails 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 cocktail. Not only will we introduce you to simple DIY concoctions, a little cocktail history, and the best cocktails 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 cocktail theory right now and just want to dive right in to trying some of your own cognac mixology, then check out these 30 Best Cognac Cocktail Recipes from the Summit.
The rise and popularity of the cognac cocktail
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 cocktails is now commonplace in virtually every country around the world.
We can even see proof of the longevity behind the trend from the cognac houses themselves. Many have introduced lines specifically to be utilized in cocktails and mixed drinks. Our beloved spirit has truly embraced the 21st century.
It was probably in the USA that using cognac in a cocktail or mixed drink first became truly popular. Check out one of America’s oldest known cocktail 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 cocktails 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 cocktail menus until recently.
Is the Brandy Crusta the first official cognac cocktail?
While we don’t know for sure, it’s certainly a contender along with the Mint Julep. The Brandy Crusta was in the first ever cocktail guide, The Bon Vivants Companion. This mixology guide was written in 1862, by a man known as Jerry “The Professor” Thomas. While this legendary compilation contained over 200 recipes, Thomas chose to only illustrate two, both of which were brandy cocktails - the Pousse L’Amour and Brandy Crusta. He was also responsible for the well-known Blazing Brandy cocktail.
The Brandy Crusta is regarded by many to be the precursor to the popular Sidecar (which we explore below) and balances the notes of a VSOP Cognac with the orange liqueur sweetness of Triple Sec, the tartness of fresh lemon, and a twist of spice, thanks to the inclusion of aromatic bitters.
It is classical in presentation, with a sugared rim - the crusts - and lemon peel lining.
Want to reproduce this classic cocktail at home? Here’s the recipe:
Prepare your ingredients:
3 cl Courvoisier 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 cocktail shaker with some ice, shake until well mixed and cooled. Strain into the glass and enjoy.
Other historic cognac cocktails include, the Brass Monkey and the Spiced Armada.
Sidecar Cocktail: Taking the imbiber for a ride
2 parts Courvoisier Exclusif
1 part Fresh lemon juice
1 part Triple sec
Dash Sugar syrup
1 Lemon snap
Method:
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker until cool and well mixed. Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: Lemon snap.
… “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 cocktail book, ‘The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks’.
This is the story of how the Sidecar Cocktail 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 cocktail has a heritage which predates this definition by almost a century.
The first recorded listing for the cocktail formally known as Side-car, can be found in two cocktail reads from the early 1920’s (‘Harry’s ABC of Cocktails’ by Harry MacElhone and ‘Cocktails: 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 cocktail, 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 cocktail, 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 cocktail, that we mentioned above.
If you dig deep enough, you are able to follow a rudimentary family tree of classic cocktails that shows an evolution to today’s most popular cocktails 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.
The evolution of classic cocktails
Brandy Crusta - 1862
- Brandy, orange liqueur, lemon juice, sugar rim
- Served in a globet/wine glass
Brandy Daisy - 1876
- Brandy, orange liqueur, lemon juice, sugar syrup, 2 dashes of rum
- Served in a highball glass over ice
Brandy Fizz - 1880s
- Brandy, sugar syrup, lemon juice, orange cordial, dash of soda
- Served in a cocktail glass
Sidecar - 1922
- Cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice
- Served in a cocktail glass
Margarita - 1936 (ish)
- Tequila, orange liqueur, lemon juice
- Served in a martini glass (later with a salt rim...coincidence?)
When money is no object
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.
The Ono
Got a spare $10,000 to spend? Then head to the Wynn XS Nightclub in Las Vegas and order this Louis XIII Black Pearl cocktail. Admittedly, it does serve 2 people, but that still boils down to £5K a pop, so you’ve got to be serious about your mixed drinks to order one.
So what is in this crazy priced tipple? And what makes it command such a hefty price tag?
Well, it’s reputed to be inspired by the Polynesian God, Oro, who brought a black pearl along to give to the princess of Bora Bora. When you order The Ono, not only do you get half an ounce of Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac in each of the cocktails, but you also get a complete bottle of Charles Heidsieck 1981 Champagne, with around four ounces of the bubbly in each cocktail (the rest is yours to sip at your leisure).
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 cocktail 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 cocktail 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 cocktail was introduced in 2009.
And then there's the Winter Olympic Cocktail
The Russian’s certainly love their displays of opulence, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that the most expensive cognac cocktail 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.
The Hennessy in the cocktail 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.
The Cellar Master's Favorite Cocktail
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.
The ingredients are:
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.
Monin and Hine's Summer Cocktail Case
Back in 2010, Hine Cognac was ahead of its time when it teamed up with mixed drinks specialist, Monin, to produce a limited edition cocktail case. It was available for sale at the French beverage retail chain, Nicolas and contained an innovative selection of ingredients to tempt the cocktail 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 cocktails.
Seasonal Cocktails
Just as different cognacs suit different occasions, so do different cocktails, 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 cocktails and cognac drink recipes below and categorised them according to the season they’ll be enjoyed most.
Cognac Cocktails: A few final thoughts
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 cocktail? 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 the recipe out from the following article: It’s Cooking Time: Tarte Provencale and Cucumber Cognac Cocktail (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 cocktail hits the spot.
It’s your drink, so sip it your way. If that’s in a cognac cocktail, then it’s fine by us. You’ll find us doing exactly the same on a sunny summer’s day.
How to serve Cognac
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.
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.
Cognac Glass
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.
Cognac is known to be one of the finest drinks there is. Its history dates back hundreds of years, and the rich flavor and aromas are enjoyed by millions around the world. So it makes sense to pay tribute to this exceptional drink by enjoying it from the best possible vessel. And if you’re in any doubt as to the importance of cognac glassware, then have a read of our following article.
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.
Tulip glass
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.
Balloon glass
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 some producers 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.
Wobble 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?
FAQs
What is the best way to drink cognac?
There is no best way to drink cognac, it is up to personal preference. However, enjoying cognac neat and at room temperature is regarded as the best way to appreciate its aromas and flavors.
What is a good mix with cognac?
Coca Cola, ginger ale, iced tea and tonic are all delicious mixers to pair with cognac. A wide array of cocktails can also be made with cognac.
Should cognac be refrigerated?
Traditionally cognac is served at room temperature and warmed in the hand. However there are now some cognacs that have been specifically created for drinking chilled, such as ABK6 Ice or De Luze’s A Blend.
How are you supposed to drink cognac?
There is no specific way to drink cognac, it can be enjoyed neat, with ice, with water, with a mixer or in a cocktail. It is all up to personal preference.
Is cognac served warm or cold?
Traditionally cognac is served at room temperature and warmed in the hand. However there are now some cognacs that have been specifically created for drinking chilled, such as ABK6 Ice or De Luze’s A Blend.
Can you drink cognac on the rocks?
Serving cognac on the rocks has become more common place, but should really only be done with a VS or VSOP cognac. It should also be noted that excessive cooling can hinder the more subtle aromas.
What mixes well with cognac?
Coca Cola, ginger ale, iced tea and tonic are all delicious mixers to pair with cognac. A wide array of cocktails can also be made with cognac.
What is the best glass for cognac?
A tulip glass is regarded as the king of cognac glasses. The design provides maximum surface area for the cognac, allows it to breathe sufficiently and directs the bouquet towards the nose providing maximum aroma, flavor and impact on the senses.
Do you heat cognac?
Cognac should not be heated as it will destroy the aromas and flavors as the alcohol evaporates.