Cognac, an exceptional French spirit, is traditionally enjoyed neat, but it also holds a special place in the world of cocktails. Its aromatic profile, marked by fruity, spicy, and woody notes, makes it an ideal base for both classic creations and more modern recipes. Here is a selection of 10 iconic cognac cocktails that are easy to make and perfect for trying something new.
1. Sidecar
Born in Paris in the 1920s, probably at the bar of the Hôtel Ritz, the Sidecar is one of the most famous cognac cocktails. It combines elegance with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity.
Recipe:
Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker, strain into a sugar-rimmed cocktail glass.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Cognac Ferrand 1840 Original Formula
- 25 ml Cointreau
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- Sugar for the rim
2. French Connection
Created in the 1970s, the French Connection is a simple cocktail that combines cognac and amaretto.
Recipe:
Pour the ingredients directly into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir gently.
Ingredients:
- 35 ml Cognac BACHE GABRIELSEN VS Tre Kors
- 35 ml Amaretto
3. Sazerac (version cognac)
Considered one of the oldest cocktails in the world, the Sazerac was originally made with cognac before rye whiskey took over.
Recipe:
Rinse a chilled glass with a dash of absinthe. In a mixing glass, dissolve a sugar cube with a few drops of bitters, add the cognac, and stir with ice. Strain into the absinthe-rinsed glass.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml COGNAC FERRAND 10 Générations
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- A few drops of absinthe
- Lemon zest
4. Between the Sheets
Similar to the Sidecar, the Between the Sheets is said to have been created in the 1930s by Harry Macelhone, bartender at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris.
Recipe:
Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker, then strain into a Martini cocktail glass.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Cognac BACHE GABRIELSEN VS Tre Kors
- 30 ml White Rum
- 30 ml Cointreau
- 15 ml fresh lemon juice
5. Stinger
Popular in the United States during the 1960s, the Stinger combines the roundness of cognac with the freshness of white crème de menthe. Fun fact: in the film High Society, Bing Crosby explains to Grace Kelly the origin of the cocktail’s name: “It’s a stinger. It removes the sting.”
Recipe:
Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice, stir, then serve in an old-fashioned glass.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml COGNAC FERRAND 10 Générations
- 25 ml White Crème de Menthe
6. Vieux Carré
Created in 1938 in New Orleans by Walter Bergeron, the Vieux Carré is a complex and aromatic cocktail.
Recipe:
Stir all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, then strain into an old-fashioned glass over large ice cubes.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Cognac Ferrand 1840 Original Formula
- 30 ml Rye Whiskey
- 30 ml Sweet Vermouth
- 10 ml Bénédictine liqueur
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
7. Cognac Julep
Although bourbon is now more commonly associated with the julep, it is likely that this cocktail was originally made with cognac.
Recipe:
In a shaker, add the cognac, sugar syrup, and mint leaves. Add ice and shake well. Strain the mixture into a julep cup half-filled with crushed ice. Stir the drink and ice with a bar spoon. Top up with more crushed ice and stir again. Repeat until the glass is full, then enjoy.
Ingredients:
- 70 ml Cognac BACHE GABRIELSEN VS Tre Kors
- 20 ml Sugar syrup
- 12 fresh mint leaves
8. Champagne Cocktail
A symbol of refinement, the Champagne Cocktail combines cognac with sparkling wine.
Recipe:
Place a sugar cube soaked with bitters at the bottom of a flute, add the cognac, then top with well-chilled Champagne.
Ingredients:
- 20 ml COGNAC FERRAND 10 Générations
- Brut Champagne (to top)
- 1 sugar cube
- A few drops of Angostura Bitters
9. Japanese Cocktail
Dating back to 1862, the Japanese Cocktail is one of the earliest cognac-based cocktails recorded in Jerry Thomas’s guide.
Recipe:
Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, then strain into a cocktail coupe.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Cognac Ferrand 1840 Original Formula
- 15 ml Orgeat syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
10. Brandy Crusta
Invented in New Orleans in the 19th century, the Brandy Crusta is considered the ancestor of the Sidecar.
Recipe:
Shake all ingredients with ice, then serve in a sugar-rimmed glass garnished with a large lemon peel.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Cognac BACHE GABRIELSEN VS Tre Kors
- 15 ml Orange Curaçao
- 15 ml fresh lemon juice
- 10 ml Sugar syrup
- A few dashes of Angostura Bitters
POUR ALLER PLUS LOIN DANS LA DÉCOUVERTE DU COGNAC
La Maison du Whisky possède trois boutiques dans Paris :
La boutique Odéon est spécialisée dans les cognacs et pourra vous faire découvrir une grande variété de ce spiritueux.
Suivez notre agenda de dégustation pour les dégustations à venir, ou rendez-vous au Golden Promise Whisky Bar qui propose un large choix de cocktails mais aussi de whisky, de rhums et d’autres spiritueux au verre.
Découvrez aussi nos autres articles sur le cognac.
