How to Drink Cognac
Whether by yourself or with friends, neat or as part of a cocktail, cognac can be enjoyed in many different ways. Check out the best ways to drink cognac and see which style fits you.
COGNAC’S VERSATILITY – THE PERFECT PAIRING FOR ALL OCCASIONS
As an aperitif, cognac is usually consumed neat. Adding a drop of water will reveal more fruity, floral, and spicy aromas, making the tasting experience smoother. Similarly, adding two ice cubes will further dilute the cognac and reduce the alcohol percentage, revealing the same aromas while making the taste more refreshing. The ice cubes should melt slowly, gradually revealing new aromas.
Cognac can even be consumed frozen, which makes the liquid very viscous (the high alcohol content prevents it from freezing completely) and gives an experience that is almost velvety in the mouth. This pairs particularly well with seafood, such as oysters, lobster, or sushi.
For a simple, long drink as an aperitif, cognac can be consumed with tonic or ginger ale. In Rémy Martin VSOP, this brings out notes of fresh fruit, and even licorice. This is how the aperitif is typically enjoyed by the locals in Cognac.
discover cognac
NEAT OR ON THE ROCKS
Learn more about the tasting experience when you enjoy cognac neat or on the rocks, and how the glass type also affects it.
READ MORECOGNAC-BASED COCKTAILS
Cognac-based cocktails are a growing trend in cocktail bars around the world.
“Cognac has been a quintessential part of the story of cocktail making and development from the very beginning.”
Cognac has a rich aromatic profile that is very fruity and floral, yet it is also spicy. This lets you play with a variety of options on the ‘cocktail wheel’, allowing you to reveal more of one particular aroma or another. Cognac can also easily replace the base ingredients in classic cocktails such as the Manhattan, Tom Collins, Mint Julep or even Mojito. Dry cocktails, such as the Sidecar or Sazerac are best enjoyed after dinner, and an Old Fashioned with XO, which is rich and full of flavor, would be perfect paired with a dessert.
Even infusions with ginger, vanilla, or jasmine, can be made for a more extensive mixology experience. To spice things up a little more, the Hot Toddy – a warm cocktail with cognac, simple syrup, lemon, cinnamon, and hot water – is the perfect accompaniment for a cold winter afternoon. To discover more about how to make cocktails with Rémy Martin for every occasion, visit our Cocktails section.
