Celebrating Aidy as the Top 100 Most Influential People in Drinks Are Revealed!

As the UK’s number one magazine for everything off-trade drinks, Drinks Retailing is always worth keeping an eye on. Their annual list of the 100 Most Influential People has returned this year, with more industry voters than ever before looking across the entire drinks industry and putting names forward.

Be it through innovation, pushing the industry forward, combating injustices, raising issues, or generally using their voice to positively shape drinks retailing communities, voters were asked to pick the people they thought deserved a spot on the list.

All of this is why we’re so delighted and proud to reveal that our very own Aidy Smith came in 5th place in this year’s list! Woohoo! As the UK’s only television presenter with Tourette Syndrome and one of the few LGBTQIA+ personalities, championing fair representation and using his influence to break down barriers is close to his heart.

Not only has he raised these issues on television, radio, and social media, but he’s also launched DRINKLUSIVE, the results of which you can find all across our website and socials. The first of its kind, it’s an inclusivity mentorship and incubator programme that gives aspiring content creators the chance to shine in the drinks space. Alongside this, he’s also been busy exploring Cognac in a new Amazon series of The Three Drinkers and regularly entertaining us on Instagram. Whether they are from LGBTQIA+, ethnic-minority or disability groups, Aidy is at the forefront of diversifying the people writing and creating in our industry, and it’s amazing to see him recognised for this work in this list.

We'd like to send big congratulations to Helena, too, who also featured in this years list! To find out more about her new and exciting adventures, head over to Flock and Hive!

The full list and magazine are well worth a look to see the exciting work going on across the whole industry. You can find Drinks Retailing here, where it’s free to sign up and read the beautifully designed magazine.

Congratulations to Aidy, Helena and everyone building a better drinks industry for all - onwards and upwards!

How Rap Fuelled the Cognac Comeback

In the 18th century, Cognac was so popular that smugglers literally could not meet demands for it, but as the 20th century rolled on, the luxurious drink fell out of favour and became a symbol of a bygone era. Even in France, whisky had replaced it as the king of sippers.

Slowly, it became known as the drink of old men, conjuring up images of stuffy clubs, dusty drinks cabinets and a kind of classical luxury that appealed to fewer and fewer people. As a result of this narrowing and ageing demographic, the 1990s brought economic issues to cognac houses and the surrounding region. Vines were being replaced, and a surplus supply filled the city’s cellars.

The 21st century looked bleak for cognac, that was until the world of rap and hip-hop got involved! Jay-Z’s, Can’t Knock the Hustle in 1991 was the first to mention a cognac brand by name, rapping, ‘sipping Remy on the rocks’ in reference to Remy Martin.  As the ‘bling era’ of rap dawned, the historic association of cognac with royalty and luxury set it on the path to being namechecked in plenty of other songs too.

In 2001, Busta Rhymes released Pass the Courvoisier II with P. Diddy and Pharrell… the latter of which who would later become an ambassador for Remy Martin. It is estimated that this song alone boosted Courvoisier sales by 30%!

2Pac, Snoop Dogg, you name it, they were all referencing cognac and cognac brands at the turn of the millennium and over a decade or so, the fortunes of the region had completely turned on its head.

Fans of American rap flocked to buy Hennessy and other brands, and these sales spikes spread across Europe too. New mixers like Coca-Cola and pineapple juice were popular, and rather than turn their nose up at this new image of cognac, it was embraced by the industry. To this day, the relationship exists with Martell announcing rapper Quavo as their brand ambassador in 2018.

Demand has never been higher for this historic drink, and if you want to learn more about the rich journey of cognac and the beautiful city itself, check out our Complete Beginners Guide here, or even better, tune in to The Three Drinkers in Cognac!

The Most Beautiful Distilleries to Visit in Cognac

Cognac is a simply stunning part of France that we explore in The Three Drinkers in Cognac. There is so much to see and do and although we’ve covered everything except the drinks in our guide here, it’s now time to cover what the region is most famous for – its distilleries. Let’s begin with some of the amazing locations we visit in the Amazon Prime series!

AS FEATURED IN THE THREE DRINKERS IN COGNAC

Courvoisier

The opening minutes of the first episode sees The Three Drinkers visit Domaine Guilloteau to see the operational production process, a picturesque winery owned by the iconic Courvoisier. The public attraction however is The Maison Courvoisier, the famous 19th-century house in the heart of Jarnac. The 90-minute tour covers the nuances of distillation, ageing and blending, Napoleonic history, local geology, a trip down into the cellars, and of course, a tasting of the delicious end product itself, in VS, VSOP and XO styles.

More information here

Rémy Martin

Not only can the historic Grande Champagne vineyards of Rémy Martin be seen in Episode Three, but also the tasting room of the house and even ‘Paradis’ in Episode Four. Dating back to 1724, it is the only cognac house founded by a winemaker (no prizes for guessing the name) and pioneered the region’s first wine cooperative – Alliance Fine Champagne. Their award-winning visitor experience is varied with plenty of different tour options, from train visits around the elegant estate to the magical Infinity Experience. One thing is certain however, you will see how this legendary liquid is made from grape to glass and you will taste from that glass at the end.

More information here

Grand Marnier

Grand Marnier is the other best-known liquid in the area, and Episode Two explores its stunning home – the 17th-century Château de Bourg-Charente. Since 1921, the family has used it to store, age and blend their Cognacs but over the last decade, expansion of the site means it is also where the other most important ingredient in Grand Marnier is distilled – dried orange peel. If you want to know more about this incredible product then watch the show or check out our guide here!

More information here

Audemus Spirits

Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac shows the charming Audemus Spirits helping Aidy and Helena with their own gin. Famed for its inventive and renowned Pink Pepper gin among others, this one-of-a-kind distillery is also a living room. That’s right, a far cry from the majestic Cognac houses, this is a much smaller operation hence there are no public tours or anything unfortunately. Keep your eyes peeled on the website though for events that do pop up, and to peruse the unique blends Audemus produces.

More information here

MORE BEAUTIFUL VISITS

Au Coeur du Château - VSOP Baron Otard & VSOP D'Ussé

For a visit that combines history and cognac, it doesn’t get much better than the Château Royal de Cognac. Overlooking the stunning Charente, this castle began as a fortress a thousand years ago before evolving into a stately home. Catching the eye of Baron Otard, the site was transformed into a formidable Cognac house. So, not only will you see how the robust castle walls help produce delicious eaux-de-vie, but there are also secret cellars, old prison cells and eye-catching Gothic and Renaissance architecture to keep you entertained.

More information here

Hine

Deep in bustling Jarnac, Hine’s tours have developed a top reputation for clearly explaining the nuances of cognac production in layman’s terms. Not only are they producing some of the most unique cognac blends out there (such as their rum-esque VSOP), but their super engaging, visual and entertaining tour and exhibits leave you knowing the process inside out. They have a few different options when exploring their riverside house at 16 quai de l’Orangerie so just see which suits you best!

More information here

Hennessy Les Visites

Hennessy is another of the Big Four Cognac Houses, and one of the flagship brands of the drink’s cool comeback. The 90-minute tour is the complete package, with audio-visual presentation, art, boat ride, guided tasting with side dishes, ancient cellars and of course, every Hennessy bottle made including one-off rarities. Perched right beside the Charente and with the bridge in the background, you are guaranteed to feel the prestige of Hennessy before you even set foot on dry land.

More information here

If you want more things to do in and around Cognac, check out our other Things to Do here (you’d be amazed at what you can get up to!).

What is XO Cognac and What Should I Try?

With The Three Drinkers in Cognac exploring the stunning liquid that is cognac as well as its picturesque namesake surroundings, we thought it was about time we went into detail about what those letters on cognac and other brandy bottles mean. We’ve covered VS and VSOP cognac before and now it’s time for XO!

What is XO Cognac?

Whereas, VS (Very Special) is the youngest age statement of cognac and means no liquid in the bottle is younger than two years old, XO Cognac means Extra Old, which in numerical terms means that the liquid has been aged for a minimum of ten years. Some parts of the blend may be older, but ten is the minimum.

Interestingly, this actually changed in 2016 when six years used to be the XO minimum, so if you buy an older XO, you might find that there is in fact liquid younger than ten years old.

How Does XO Cognac differ to VSOP and XXO Cognac?

VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) bottles are quite significantly younger than XO, requiring at least four years of aging. XO (Extra Old) is the next official category along, with ten years of aging needed, and beyond that there is XXO (yep, you guessed it - Extra Extra Old) that must be fourteen years of age.

Cognac masters use different eaux-de-vie of various ages to add different characteristics to the blend, so even though VS and VSOP are more commonly used for cocktails and mixes, it is not as simple as ‘the older the better’. Some VSOP will contain eaux-de-vie that are mostly XO, but may include some much younger liquid for vibrance, thereby categorising it as VSOP.

There are all kinds of unofficial age statements and other terms like Napoleon and hors d’âge so check out our full breakdown of the age statements here (including top recommendations from each!).

So many parts of the production process affect the end product of cognac, but generally the longer cognac sits in the barrel, the richer, nuttier, and more complex it becomes.  In the world of cognac, there is a relationship between age and price, with VS usually the most affordable, and XXO and beyond commanding the biggest price tags.

How is XO Cognac drunk?

Whilst the bright and fiery youth of VS blends lend themselves to cocktails, the nuance and complexity of an XO is likely to be lost mixed with such strong ingredients. It would still be delicious, particularly in a simple Highball, but for the money, it’s probably best enjoyed on its own.

When we say on its own, we mean either neat as an aperitif, or with a few drops of water as some drinkers enjoy. This, like a little ice, dilutes the cognac slightly for a smoother experience and often reveals new aromas such as fruity, floral, and/or spicy notes. If the XO is good quality (like below), you will want to slowly sip and find your way around the liquid and its layers without intensely flavoured mixers… but as is the golden rule with drinking, enjoy it in whatever way you enjoy it!

Which XO Cognac should I try?

Courvoisier XO

A timeless classic with layers of complexity from aged eaux-de-vie from all across the Cognac growing regions. Oak-y throughout, the nose of apricot opens out into silky smooth berries with delectable orange to finish. This is a serial award-winning XO for a reason!

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £114.95 // US $189.99

Rémy Martin XO

This Grande and Petite Champagne blend is masterful from grape to glass. Vanilla, caramel and warm spice weave harmoniously in a rich and sophisticated XO. This alongside a few squares of dark chocolate is a dream.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £174.99 // US $249.99

Prunier Tres Vieille XO

Unbelievably soft, this Prunier Tres Vieille XO fills the mouth with elegant richness, including some more unusual leather and white pepper notes alongside a tarte tatin reminiscence to die for.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £170

Hine Antique XO Cognac

This is a gorgeously soothing XO with indulgence and subtlety. 40 different cognacs aged over a decade create layers upon layers of spicy pepper, fruits rolled in cinnamon and perfumed spice.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £163 // US $234.99

Martell XO Cognac

Dating back to 1715, Martell is the oldest cognac house, and this XO radiates those generations of expertise. Mellow and soft in the mouth, it’s fragrant with citrus, walnut and blossom and every sip feels like a treat (exactly what you want from an XO).

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: UK £182.99 // US $264.99

Maxime Trijol XO

Spiced orange and caramel swirl together in this gem of an XO that also provides pretty impressive value. It’s dry, fruity, and lined with vanilla butterscotch for complete indulgence. Many cognac aficionados return to this as their regular sipper!

Size: 700ml       
ABV: 40%
Find here: £102.99

Frapin Château de Fontpinot XO Cognac

Winner of the prestigious Master award for Single Cru XO in 2018, this Grand Champagne blend is moreishly fruity and floral with terrific poise. Subtle nuts and oaky vanilla round off a characterful and distinct XO that’s bursting with flavour.

Size: 700ml       
ABV: 41%
Find here: £134.99

Jean Fillioux Grande Reserve XO Cognac

At a lip-smacking 44%, this is a bold and powerful single Cru XO that is masterfully balanced. Oak, vanilla, and orange all work with one another and for under £100, you just don’t get XO cognac much better.

Size: UK 700ml // US 750ml
ABV: 44%
Find here: UK £91.75 // US $138.99

For more information about the rich world of cognac, check out the Beginner’s Guide (or The Three Drinkers in Cognac of course!)

What is VSOP Cognac and What Should I Try?

The Three Drinkers in Cognac follows Aidy and Helena as they explore everything the stunning region has to offer, and VSOP Cognac pops up again and again, so what exactly is it?

What is VSOP Cognac?

If you’re completely new to the world of cognac then do consult our Complete Beginner’s Guide, but in a sentence, cognac is a brandy produced in its namesake region in between Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France. When the Dutch became invested in the 18th century, Cognac rose above the competition and it’s now a protected and prestigious type of brandy.

Newbies are often thrown by the baffling letters that appear on cognac bottles, but all these signify is the age of the bottle. Now, to be more precise, cognac is made up of different blends usually of various ages, so this age statement lettering tells us the minimum age of the youngest liquid in the bottle.

VS (Very Special) is the youngest age statement and means that the youngest eaux-de-vie used has been aged for at least two years. VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) on the other hand is slightly older at four years. So, a VSOP Cognac will contain no liquid that wasn’t aged for four years, but is this as simple as older cognac equals better cognac?

How Does VSOP Cognac differ to VS and XO Cognac?

Each eaux-de-vie brings something different to the blend and you will find that a mixture of many different ages is commonly used to achieve the distiller’s vision. VSOP sits between VS (Very Special) and XO (Extra Old), because as mentioned, VSOP is a minimum of two years old, VSOP four, and XO must be at least ten! Beyond this, there are categories like XXO and unofficial names such as Napoleon cognac, so check out our comprehensive breakdown of age statements here (including recommendations from each!).

As a general rule, cognac becomes richer and often nuttier the more that it rests in the barrel, losing some of the fresh vibrance that VS brings. Whilst there is a correlation between cognac age and price, different bottles are used for different purposes as well as different mixers and like always, it all comes down to personal preference anyway! Which brings us onto…

How is VSOP Cognac drunk?

VSOP cognac is probably the most versatile age statement because it has the depth and complexity to be sipped over ice, but also can be enjoyed in cocktails. Like we say, there are no hard and fast rules because different bottles use different ages in varying proportions, but VSOP is what Aidy and Helena use most during The Three Drinkers in Cognac because it’s a fantastic balance of vibrance and depth.

It tends to give a cocktail such as the Sidecar a touch more extravagance and layering than a VS but might lack the complexity to be sipped on its own. You can find The Best Cocktails to Make with Cognac here where you can see that VSOP was used throughout the show, but particularly in long and simple serves like a Highball, a VSOP will absolutely shine.

Which VSOP Cognac should I try?

Courvoisier VSOP

Courvoisier are one of the main cognac houses we have to thank for the spirit’s resurgence and their VSOP is simply one of the best, picking up the Master award for Super Premium VSOP at the Luxury Masters. Around 10 years of ageing means the minimum requirements for a VSOP are easily exceeded creating a deep and warming richness plush with oaky vanilla, citrus, sugary coffee, and toasty spice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £36.95

Frapin VSOP

A renowned and highly respected Grand Champagne Cognac, Frapin’s VSOP blend is full of fruity orange, persistent vanilla and lofty florality. The smoothness and complexity are well worth paying slightly more for.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £56.75

Hine Rare VSOP

Eaux-de-vie from the Grande and Petite Champagne regions are harmoniously blended into this elegantly floral expression that punches with fresh fruit and woody spice. With marmalade, toffee apples, ginger and candid orange at play, the rum-like finish is a pleasant surprise.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £54.95

Rémy Martin VSOP

The ever-dependable Rémy Martin produce a delicious smooth and mellow VSOP that has too many gongs to mention. Red berries, silky honey and warm vanilla from an iconic estate.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £40.99

Camus VSOP Borderies Single Estate

Most cognac bottles are blends of eaux-de-vie from various estates, often across multiple growing regions, but this is a little different. Made with eaux-de-vie from just one estate in the Borderies region, this is distinct with the nutty and floral notes associated with that particular cru. Super characterful and elegant, with a moreish touch of oil on the finish too.  

Size: 700ml       
ABV: 40%
Find here: £56.95

For more information about the rich world of cognac, check out the Beginner’s Guide. And if you want some delicious cocktails to make these VSOP bottles sing, go here!

Franklin & Sons: an icon of mixers, sodas, and tonics

Founded in Victorian London all the way back in 1886, Franklin & Sons are true pioneers in the soft drinks space, leading the way with natural ingredients and innovative flavourings to offer the most complete range of mixers, sodas, and tonics out there.

Within their remarkably diverse range, there will always be the perfect bottle to jazz up your drinks which is why we made the most of their offering throughout The Three Drinkers in Cognac, and if you’re a listener of our Bring a Bottle podcast, you may well have heard us merrily sipping our way through even more of them on there.

Beautifully bottled too, it really is well worth exploring all of their wonderful flavours for yourself to see which jump out, but below are just some of the Franklin & Sons that we have loved trying, and recommendations for what to enjoy them with!

FRANKLIN & SONS TO EXPLORE

Original Ginger Ale

Ultimate warmth and refreshment with a completely natural feel, Franklin & Son’s Original Ginger Ale blends natural root ginger extract with their pure sparkling spring water for classy and subtle flavouring. Celebrating the classic ginger and cognac combination, you can see it used as a Highball in Episode One where the spice of the two blend perfectly.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac (we used Courvoisier VSOP)
80ml Ginger Ale
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour in your cognac over plenty of ice and top up with the fizzing ginger ale. Voila!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Sicilian Lemon

The first Franklin & Sons bottle to appear in the series, the Sicilian Lemon is used for the gorgeously simple and sunny Courvoisier Gala Highball below. Legendary Sicilian lemons and natural botanicals like cinchona bark blend with sparkling spring water to make this burst of citrus.

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.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Mandarin & Ginger Soda

The Mandarin & Ginger featured in one of our One Drink, Three Ways segments where you can find three deliciously different serves it’s perfect for. With natural zest, warmth, vibrance and refreshment, this soda elevates all kinds of different drinks which is why it crops up again in Episode Two of the series emphasising the fruity spice of cognac.

Ingredients:
30ml Cognac
80ml Mandarin & Ginger Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Super simple – cognac poured over ice and topped up with the soda! An orange wheel is the perfect garnish.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water

The Rosemary and Black Olive tonic is so distinct. Almost reminiscent of focaccia, this savoury mixer adds a stunning culinary dimension to cocktails. We pair it with Umami gin for an entirely unique herbaceous G&T that is just asking to be paired with some side dishes.

Ingredients:
30ml Umami gin
80ml Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic Water
Plenty of ice

Method:
Simply pour each over ice, stir well and sip away.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Guava & Lime Soda

A very light and lofty soda with natural guava and Tahitian lime as well as a sprinkling of ginger, this completely livens up what can be a dull vodka and soda combination. Refreshing, fruity and tropical!

Ingredients:
30ml guava vodka
80ml Guava & Lime Soda
Plenty of ice

Method:
Pour each over ice and stir well to combine thoroughly!

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Natural Rose Lemonade

Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac shows our Helena using Natural Rose Lemonade to bring colour, natural sweetness and an inviting aroma to the wonderful cocktail below. The English rose petals, lemon juice and crisp sparkling water are a floral twist on the original 1886 lemonade and add so much summery elegance to almost any concoction – delicious.

Ingredients:
50ml gin (we used Audemus Pink Pepper Gin)
Splash of Champagne
Top up with Franklin & Sons Rose Lemonade

Method:
Stir gin and ice and add to your cocktail glass. Top up with a splash of Champagne and Rose Lemonade. For the garnish, cut thin strips of lemon skin and wrap them around a chopstick for an appetising spiral effect.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pink Grapefruit Soda

You can see Aidy takes this essential Pink Grapefruit soda for a spin in Episode Four of The Three Drinkers in Cognac, when partnered with Reposado Tequila, fresh lime and Grand Marnier in a Paloma/Margarita hybrid. The soda is amazing for adding fizz alongside bright and balanced citrus notes with a dash of bitterness.

Ingredients:
50ml reposado tequila
50ml Grand Marnier
25ml fresh lime juice
Pink Grapefruit Soda

Method:
Add the tequila, Grand Marnier, and fresh lime juice into a rocks glass over ice and stir. Top up with Pink grapefruit soda and stir very gently to combine.

Find here: £20 24 x 200ml

Pineapple & Almond Soda

This is another favourite of ours that you really need to try. To be honest, you could enjoy it flying solo as a soft drink, but it’s so versatile that it can be mixed with the nutty caramel notes of cognac, the profile of a tropical rum, or even earthy tequila/mezcal. Stewed caramelised pineapples shine through at first, but when mixed the marzipan almond notes flood the palate – this is what drinks innovation should look like.

Find here: £20 24 x 200m

If you want to see these delicious Franklin & Sons drinks in action, check out The Three Drinkers in Cognac! Or, if you’re curious as to their other flavours, have a flick through their range here!

Which Mixer Goes Best with Cognac?

There are plenty of different ways to enjoy cognac, and The Three Drinkers in Cognac takes us through many of them. This special liquid works so well in many a cocktail (which you can explore here), but what about a super simple cognac and mixer serve?

Well, absolutely! And you can even emphasise which cognac flavours you want to bring out depending on your preference. Let’s waste no more time as we get stuck into the mixers that go best with cognac…

Ginger Ale – for a spicy serve

Outside of tonic, ginger ale is probably the most popular mixer with cognac, certainly in France, which is why Helena and Aidy serve it to win Eddy round in Episode One! All of the time cognac spends in French oak, it matures and absorbs spice which a good ginger ale enunciates. Not only is ginger ale soul-warming, but it’s also refreshing with light bubbles and gentle sweetness complementing the fruity richness of the cognac so well. Franklin & Sons’ natural Ginger Ale is perfectly poised for the job.

Citrus Tonic – for a light citrus serve

A prime example of this is the Courvoisier Gala served in the first episode of the series. The delicate nature of a citrus tonic gives the notes in your cognac of choice room to breathe, but also brings a fresh burst of citrus that adds vibrance and refreshment. Where the ginger ale emphasises the spice, a premium citrus tonic brings out the citrus – simple mixology. We prefer lemon to lime, so brimming with natural sunny flavours, Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemon is absolutely perfect.

Lemonade – for a sweet citrus serve

For a sweeter, more intensely flavoured citrus twist, a good quality lemonade makes a delicious pairing with VS and VSOP cognac. The citrus in the cognac is emphasized, the effervescence is refreshing and if you use a premium lemonade like this 1886 Original Lemonade, it won’t be cloying at all and will instead carry some tartness and tang to fill out the fruity flavour.

Tonic Water – for a nuanced serve

Similar to when served over ice, cognac and tonic is a traditional choice and one that shines the spotlight fully on the cognac. Particularly with XO bottles and older, a gentle and crisp tonic lets the complexity flourish and allows those notes to open up. Depending on the specific cognac blend, you’ll find that previously undetectable fruity, floral and spicy aromas will show themselves after even just a drop of water. Try Franklin & Sons’ Premium Light Tonic, or for a more Mediterranean vibe. their Mallorcan Tonic

Cola – for a sweet serve

Cola and cognac were unsurprisingly, not a popular choice for the traditional cognac drinker, but when hip-hop helped to rejuvenate the drink in the 1990s, that all changed. Younger drinkers, particularly in America began mixing the two and whilst it will be too sweet for some, don’t discount it! The oak, vanilla and caramel from the cognac marry the sweet fizzy cola wonderfully and actually enhance the floral essences too. A glass of VS Cognac, cola, ice, and lime is full of fizzy flavour and works surprisingly well.

Pineapple juice – for a tropical serve

A mixer that also became popular when the worlds of hip-hop and cognac collided, pineapple juice is another sweet alternative that adds some juicy body, as well as sunny tropical vibes. The smooth, oaky, rich fruits from the cognac provide the bold depth, and the pineapple provides lighter, summery sweetness. This can easily be adapted into a Sour style drink but then we’re getting into cocktail territory!

For slightly more complicated (but still pretty simple) concoctions, check out the Best Cognac Cocktails here!

If you’re into rum instead, then explore the perfect mixers for a fellow historic spirit here.