There’s nothing better than sitting by the fireplace and enjoying a glass of Cognac on a cold winter night. Cognac, a grape-based brandy from France, can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. This French spirit tastes delicious when used in cocktails as well. Have a bottle of Cognac at home? We’ve compiled a list of 10 Cognac cocktails to try in Mumbai winters. It’s time you grab your home bar tools and try out these Cognac cocktails to shake things up a little bit in this winter season!
10 Best Cognac Cocktails
- Sidecar
- Cognac Old Fashioned
- Cognac Margarita
- The Japanese Cocktail
- Cognac French 75
- Between The Sheets
- Sazerac Cocktail
- French Connection Cocktail
- Milk Punch
- Mata Hari
1. Sidecar
One of the most popular Cognac cocktails is Sidecar. This cocktail is an entrancing mixture of Cognac, lime juice, and orange liqueur. It has complex flavors with just the right balance of sweet and sour. Many bartenders use bourbon instead of brandy, but Cognac lovers will absolutely love the cocktail with Cognac as the base ingredient. Let’s take a look at the recipe to make a Sidecar cocktail at home!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of Cognac
- ¾ ounce of orange liqueur
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Orange wedge to garnish
How To Make A Sidecar Cocktail
- Take a cocktail shaker and add some ice to it.
- Pour the Cognac, orange liqueur, and lime juice into the shaker and shake it vigorously.
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass. Your Sidecar cocktail is ready and you can garnish it with an orange wedge.
Also Read: 7 Bourbon Cocktails To Try Right Now
2. Cognac Old Fashioned
The Classic Old Fashioned cocktail has a spirit, sugar, water, and bitters as the key ingredients. Old Fashioned cocktails are generally made using whiskey as the base. If you’re looking for a timeless cocktail with brandy, go ahead and make a Cognac Old Fashioned. This sweet and bubbly cocktail will certainly be one of your favorite variations of the Old Fashioned cocktail. Here’s an easy-to-make recipe for Cognac Old Fashioned that you can try at home.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of Cognac
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 2 brandied cherries
- 2 slices of orange
- 1 cube of sugar
- Chilled soda for topping (Sprite or club soda)
- Orange wedge or brandied cherries to garnish
How To Make A Cognac Old Fashioned
- Take an Old Fashioned glass and add the bitters, cherries, orange slices, and sugar cube to it. Muddle the ingredients so that they blend well.
- Add some ice to the glass and then pour the Cognac over it.
- Top the glass with some soda and stir the mixture so that you get a chilled cocktail.
- Finally, garnish the cocktail with an orange wedge or some brandied cherries.
3. Cognac Margarita
Flavor-packed, bold, classy, and fruity – these characteristics of a Cognac Margarita make it one of the most preferred Cognac cocktails around the world. The cocktail is also known as the ‘Hennessy Margarita’. It has subtle notes of nuts, fruits, oak, vanilla, and spices, all refreshing and rejuvenating flavors. If you haven’t tried this variation of the Margarita before, now’s the time to make it at home and savor it!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce of tequila
- 1 ½ ounce of Hennessy Cognac
- 1 ounce of triple sec
- ½ ounce lime juice
- Lime wedge to garnish
How To Make A Cognac Margarita
- Coat the rim of a glass by rubbing a lime wedge over it. You can also use salt to coat the rim of the glass.
- Take a cocktail shaker and add the tequila, Hennessy Cognac, triple sec, and lime juice to it. Add a few ice cubes and shake them well so that the ingredients mix together.
- Serve the cocktail in the cocktail glass you rimmed. You can garnish the cocktail with a lime wedge and then serve it.
Also Read: Beer Cocktails That You Can Enjoy At Home
4. The Japanese Cocktail
This classic brandy cocktail is a delightful drink that’ll certainly lift up your spirits. The Japanese Cocktail has the flavors of bitters along with subtle notes of nuts, citrus, and herbs that make it a classy drink. The original recipe appeared in the 1862 book by Jerry Thomas, and today, there are many ways to make this cocktail. Here’s a simple recipe for making The Japanese Cocktail at home!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of Cognac
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ½ ounce orgeat syrup (sweet syrup made from almond, sugar, and orange flower water)
- 1 dash of Angostura or orange bitters
- Lemon wedge to garnish
How To Make The Japanese Cocktail
- Take a cocktail shaker and add some ice to it.
- Add the Cognac, orange juice, orgeat syrup, and bitters to the shaker. Shake for 15-30 seconds for the ingredients to blend together.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. Finally, garnish the cocktail with a lemon wedge and enjoy!
5. Cognac French 75
Whether you’re hosting a brunch or a dinner party at home, French 75 is one of the best Cognac cocktails that you can try making. This cocktail is made using gin or Cognac as the base ingredient. French 75 with Cognac is a fruity and bubbly cocktail that you can savor for all kinds of occasions. Try it once and we wouldn’t be surprised if it starts to show up as the main drink at your dinner parties. Here’s a simple recipe for a Cognac French 75 cocktail!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Cognac
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 4 ounces of champagne
- Lemon wedge to garnish
How To Make A Cognac French 75
- Take a cocktail shaker and add some ice to it.
- Add the Cognac, lemon juice, and simple syrup to it and shake it well.
- Top the cocktail with champagne and garnish it with a lemon wedge. Your Cognac French 75 is ready to be served!
Also Read: Best Simple Substitutes In Cocktails
6. Between The Sheets
Ahem, yes we’re still talking about cocktails, and not about anything that happens between anyone’s sheets! Between The Sheets is another variation of the Sidecar cocktail. This cocktail has a blend of rum and Cognac that makes it a delicious and fun drink. The blend of these two ingredients in Between The Sheets gives the cocktail a satisfying and flavorful taste. So, if you want to make this winter more fun and exciting, go ahead and make a Between The Sheets cocktail at home!
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Cognac
- 1 ounce light or white rum
- 1 ounce triple sec
- ¼ ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
- Orange wedge to garnish
How To Make A Between The Sheets Cocktail
- Take a cocktail shaker and add a few ice cubes to it. Pour the Cognac, rum, triple sec, and orange juice into it. Shake it well to blend all the ingredients.
- Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass. Your Between The Sheets cocktail is ready; garnish it with an orange wedge and enjoy!
7. Sazerac Cocktail
If you’re a fan of classic cocktails, you must’ve surely heard of the Sazerac cocktail. It tastes somewhat like the Old Fashioned; the only difference is that Sazerac is made using Peychaud’s bitters instead of Angostura bitters. Sazerac can be made easily at home, so it’s definitely worth trying!
Ingredients
- 4 dashes of Peychaud’s bitters
- 1 cube of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of Absinthe (green and anise-flavored liqueur)
- 1 ½ ounce of Cognac
- 1 ounce rye whiskey
- Lemon wedge to garnish
How To Make A Sazerac Cocktail
- Take a mixing glass and coat it with the bitters. Add the sugar cube to it and muddle it so that the sugar gets dissolved.
- Add the Cognac, rye whiskey, and Absinthe to the glass along with a few ice cubes. Stir the mixture well so that the ingredients blend together and the cocktail gets chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a Lowball glass and garnish it with a lemon wedge. Your Sazerac cocktail is ready to be served!
Also Read: 7 3-Ingredient Vodka Cocktails That You Can Make
8. French Connection Cocktail
One of the easiest Cognac cocktails to make at home is the French Connection Cocktail. If you’re looking for a smooth, after-dinner cocktail to savor, try making this one. It has Cognac and amaretto (sweet Italian liqueur) as two of the main ingredients. The flavors of both these ingredients blend perfectly and add warmth to this cocktail. So, if you’re hosting a cocktail party at home this winter, surprise your guests with this delicious drink.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounce of Cognac
- ¾ ounce amaretto liqueur
How To Make A French Connection Cocktail
- Take an Old Fashioned glass and add some ice to it.
- Pour the Cognac and amaretto liqueur to it and stir the mixture well. There you have it, your French Connection Cocktail is ready to be served!
9. Milk Punch
Silky, sweet, and subtle – that’s the Milk Punch cocktail, perfect to kick start any brunch party. This cocktail has a silky texture with notes of vanilla, cognac, and rum. It can be served warm or cold, however you like it. To keep yourself warm this winter, try making a warm Milk Punch cocktail at home and enjoy the season!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ ounces of Cognac
- 1 ¼ ounces of rum
- 1 ¼ ounces of whole milk
- ¾ ounces of simple syrup
- Grated nutmeg to garnish
How To Make A Milk Punch At Home
- Take a cocktail shaker and add some ice to it.
- Add the Cognac, rum, whole milk, and simple syrup to it and shake the mixture well.
- Strain the mixture into a rock glass and garnish it with some grated nutmeg. You can now enjoy your Milk Punch cocktail.
Also Read: 7 Easy Cocktails To Make At Home
10. Mata Hari
After you’ve had a long tiring day, sipping on a glass of neat Cognac is a great way to unwind. But the same can be said for the delicious Mata Hari cocktail! The ingredients of chai-infused vermouth, lemon juice, pomegranate juice, and simple syrup in this cocktail give it a unique taste. All Cognac lovers should definitely try making Mata Hari at home as its recipe is simple and its taste is truly gratifying!
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ ounces of Cognac
- 1 ounce chai-infused sweet vermouth
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ¾ ounce fresh pomegranate juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Mint leaves to garnish
How To Make A Mata Hari Cocktail
- Take a cocktail shaker and add some ice to it. Pour the Cognac, vermouth, lemon juice, and simple syrup over the ice and shake it well.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass. You can present the cocktail by garnishing it with some fresh mint leaves. Your Mata Hari cocktail is now ready to be served!
Summing Up
If you have a home bar, it’s time you add a bottle of Cognac to your collection. That way, whenever you want a sip of something warm this winter, you can simply turn to these 10 Cognac cocktails. It’ll add some French notes to your drinks and parties, making them more exciting and fun!
FAQs
Is Cognac A Winter Drink?
Cognac has nutty, caramel, chocolate, and spicy flavors that add complexity to cocktails. Even when you’re having it neat, you’ll experience a warm burn with every sip that you take. It glides down your throat giving you a heated sensation. This is why Cognac is considered to be a great drink to be consumed in winter.
Which Alcohol Drink Is Best In Winter?
If you want to keep yourself warm in winter, you can go for rum or brandy. You can have these alcoholic spirits neat or make some rum or Cognac cocktails at home.
What Mixes Best With Cognac?
Here’s a list of ingredients that mix well with Cognac:
- Angostura bitters
- Lemon juice
- Sweet vermouth
- Wine
- Simple syrup
- Soda water
How Do You Drink Brandy In The Winter?
Most people prefer having brandy as a neat drink in winter. You can add some honey to the brandy and then consume it. There are also several brandy cocktails that you can try making at home to keep yourself warm in winter.
What Is The Difference Between Brandy And Cognac?
Brandy and Cognac are spirits that are made by fermenting fruit juices. However, the difference lies in the fact that brandy is a spirit that can be made with any kind of fruit juice. On the other hand, Cognac is made using specific types of grapes and with certain qualifications. The fruit juice in Cognac is made from the base of white grapes from the Cognac region of France.
What Is The Best Way To Consume Cognac?
It goes without saying that the aromas and flavors in Cognac can be best enjoyed if you have it neat. But if you’re an adventurous drinker, you’ll be glad to know that Cognac is a versatile drink. So, you can consume it by making some tasty Cognac cocktails. Some of the best Cognac cocktails you can try at home are Sidecar, Cognac Old Fashioned, Cognac Margarita, etc.
Can You Mix Cognac And Sprite?
If you’re up for some delicious Cognac cocktails, you can add any mixer to the spirit and make it taste even better. Cognac can be mixed with Sprite and that’ll give you ‘The Playmaker Cocktail’. The recipe for this cocktail has basic ingredients; you’ll just need some Hennessy, Sprite, cranberry juice, and lemon juice.
Is Cognac A Brandy?
Yes, Cognac is a type of brandy. While brandy is a spirit that can be made by fermenting any fruit juice, Cognac is a spirit that’s made by fermenting fruit juice from very specific grapes grown in the Cognac region of France. So, in simple words, all Cognac can be brandy, however, not every brandy is a Cognac.
