Cognac’s versatility is underappreciated, and we think it makes one of the best cocktail stars out there. It adds incredible depth of flavour and a welcome splash of oomph to your mixes, a belief that was only cemented by the unforgettable cocktails made and enjoyed in The Three Drinkers in Cognac
The Cognac cocktails might not be as famous as some of the other spirits, but we’re trying to change that so let’s start with some delicious cocktails made in the show!
French Twist
Towards the end of Episode One, Beckie Sullivan shows us how to pull together this wonderful French Twist cocktail, with richness yet lightness, and sweetness yet tang – all in perfect harmony. Aidy, Helena and Eddy compete to make the best garnish, so you can design your own here or just steal one of theirs... maybe just pick the winning one though...
Ingredients
50ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
30ml Dry Curaçao
40ml Sparkling Water (we love Fever-Tree)
10ml fresh lemon juice
20ml simple syrup
Garnish (creative one yourselves!)
Method
Give everything except the sparkling water a good long shake with ice until chilled, then double strain over ice and top up with your soda!
Sidecar
One of the most famous ways to let Cognac shine through is the Sidecar, and that’s exactly what Aidy makes in Episode Three. There’s tangy lemon and sweeter orange but the star of the show is that delicious Cognac.
Ingredients
30ml Cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like triple sec)
10ml fresh lemon
Method
Shake with plenty of ice, strain and pour. To make the cocktail into more of an experience, rub lemon over the glass so that you smell it before you taste it!
Sidecarmalade
Aidy and Maxime didn’t leave it there though! Gloriously simple, the great thing about the Sidecar is how adaptable it is... enter the Sidecarmalade! Using two local additions really gives the cocktail a new lease of life. Verjus (green juice) is basically unfermented grape juice, but with a feel much more like lemons and limes. The tartness is balanced out by delicious sweet marmalade for a cocktail that combines sweet and tangy citrus perfectly.
Ingredients
30ml Cognac (we used Rémy Martin 1738)
20ml orange liqueur (like triple sec)
10ml verjus
Dollop of marmalade
Method
Brush some marmalade around the inside of the glass for a gorgeous glistening effect. Shake everything with plenty of ice so the marmalade is mixed throughout, then strain and pour!
The Gala Highball
Highballs are one of the best ways to show off a quality spirit because all you have to do is add a mixer and plenty of ice. Ginger ale works wonderfully well, but our choice in Episode One of The Three Drinkers in Cognac was Sicilian Lemonade for more zip and refreshment.
Ingredients
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Sicilian Lemonade
Plenty of ice
Method
Highballs are simple so let’s keep it that way – pour everything over ice and give it a little stir.
French 75
When we say French 75, you’ll probably think of gin, but Cognac was traditionally used more, and it works so well. The Champagne adds great lightness and elegance to this bittersweet blend that is fruity, rich, and refreshing. Nom! Of course, Cava or Crémant work just as well!
Ingredients
30ml Cognac
10ml fresh lemon
10ml syrup
Champagne to top up
Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
Shake everything except your Champagne with ice and strain into your flute. Pour that gorgeous fizz over the top and just ease it into its new surroundings with a gentle non-bubble-breaking stir. Top off with lemon!
The Harvard
A twist on the Manhattan, The Harvard isn’t the most well-known of cocktails, but it is one of the oldest, first appearing in Kappeler’s 19th-century cocktail book. If you like cocktails that pack a punch, look no further. Hearty fruits from the vermouth and Cognac are balanced out by some bright citrus, dashes of bitters and a little sweetness. Delicious.
Ingredients
30ml Cognac
30ml Italian sweet vermouth
10ml syrup
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange twist (garnish)
Method
Mix everything with ice and once it’s fully stirred and chilled, strain and garnish! Voila!
There are plenty of other amazing cocktails in the show using other fantastic ingredients from the Cognac region too so if you want even more ideas, or just to see exactly how some of the above cocktails are made, get watching!