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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’s a great collection of classic cocktails to make with this ages old brand of Cognac. The Hennessy company was founded over 250 years ago in France in 1765. Today it produces 40% of the world’s Cognac, making it the largest producer worldwide. If you’re ready to move beyond drinking Hennessy neat, here’s where to start!
Here at A Couple Cooks, we’re cocktail experts with over 300 cocktail recipes under our belt. Of the list, here are out top ideas for Hennessy cocktails that highlight the best of its bold flavor! Try a Hennessy Sazerac, the boozy official cocktail of New Orleans, or go for the sweeter Sidecar, the most classic Cognac cocktail. And of course…you can’t go wrong with a quick and simple mix of Hennessy and Coke.
And now…10 must-try Hennessy cocktails!
Hennessy Sidecar
Here’s one of the very best Hennessy cocktails, and possibly one of the bestclassic cocktailsof all time. TheSidecar! 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.
Hennessy Margarita
Love Hennessy and want something to do with it? Try theHennessy Margarita! Pairing this classy Cognac with aged tequila, lime and orange liqueur makes a seriously sophisticated drink. In fact, it tastes like a combination of aclassic Sidecarand a margarita! Both classic drinks feature citrus, Cognac andCointreau: which makes for a flavor-packed, nuanced sip.
Hennessy Sazerac
Next up in our Hennessy cocktails, a boozy classic cocktail that’s one of thegreats: the Sazerac! If you love spirit-forward drinks like theOld 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.
Hennessy Stinger
Here’s a two ingredient Hennessy cocktail that tastes greater then the sum of its parts: theStinger! This genius combination of Cognac and crème de menthe is aclassic cocktailinvented in 1890. Today, it’s one of the lesser known classics: but we think it needs a revival.
French Connection
Got 1 minute? Then you’ve got time to mix up theFrench 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.
Hennessy Crusta
Here’s a classic cocktail that will blow you away with its sweet tart flavor and sophisticated vibe: theCrusta! This timeless drink dates back to the 1860’s, but it’s every bit fun to drink today, with a big beautiful sugar crust and oversized lemon peel garnish. The flavor is perfectly balanced, with orange and cherry liqueur that balance fresh lemon and sultry Cognac.
Hennessy and Coke
Want a quick and dirty Hennessy cocktail? TryHennessy and Coke! This spin on theRum and Cokemight 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 thebestHennessy and Coke to impress all your friends.
Between the Sheets with Hennessy
Here’s a bright and tangy drink that’s a little sassy: theBetween the Sheetscocktail! 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 greatsour cocktailthat goes down easy. Of course, if you’ve never had aSidecar: go make one of those first. Then you’ll appreciate this drink in all its glory.
Hennessy Vieux Carre
Last up in our must-try Hennessy cocktails: the Vieux Carre! If you love aManhattanorOld 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 buttwotypes of bitters. The complex flavor is ideal for Cognac lovers who love to relax with a slow sipper in hand.
Hennessey Alexander
This creamy, boozy delight is easier than you think! The Alexander is equal parts creamy, intriguing, and delicious: a mix of Hennessy with cocoa liqueur and heavy cream. It’s almost like a more sophisticated version of theWhite Russian.
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:
- VSor 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.
More cocktail recipes
Looking for more drinks outside of these Hennessy cocktails? We’ve got 300+ cocktails for every occasion:
- Classics:TrySour Cocktails,Classic Cocktails, orGreat Cocktail Recipes.
- The Big 5:Try our best cocktails withGin,Vodka,Whiskey or Bourbon,Tequila orRum (White Rum or Dark Rum).
- By Season:Try ourFall Cocktails, Winter Drinks, Thanksgiving Cocktails,Holiday Drinks, orSummer Cocktails.
- Specialty:Make drinks withMezcal, Fernet Branca, Aperol, Hennessy, Midori, Orgeat, andMaraschino Liqueur.
- By Ingredient:Try our cocktails with Peach, Strawberry, Wine, Cranberry, Lemon, Lime, Grapefruit, Pineapple, Campari, Vermouth, Coffee, orOrange Juice.
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Top 10 Hennessy Cocktails
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- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
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Description
This Hennessy Sidecar recipe is the best way to use this popular Cognac! Blend it with Cointreau and lemon for the perfect classic sour cocktail.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ounces Hennessy Cognac
- 1 ounce Cointreau
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- For the garnish:lemon twistor orange twist
- Superfine sugar* rim, optional
Instructions
- Cut a notch in a lemon wedge, then run the lemon around the rim of a cocktail glass. Dip the edge of the rim into a plate of superfine sugar.
- Place all ingredients in acocktail shakerwith a handful of ice and shake until cold.
- Strain the drink into the prepared glass. Garnish with alemon twistor orange twist.
Notes
*Superfine sugar works well for a sugar rim since it sticks to the glass better than granulated sugar. You can use granulated sugar if it’s all you have; note it can tend to fall off into the drink, making it taste a shade sweeter.
To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Published on / Last updated on
Categorized In:
- Recipe Ideas
About the authors
Sonja & Alex
Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.
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