Why Cognac Makes Outstanding Cocktails

For much of the 19th century, cognac was the base spirit for cocktails. Before rye whiskey and bourbon dominated the American bar scene, French brandy was the go-to for bartenders in New Orleans, New York, and beyond. Many of the world's most enduring cocktail recipes were originally built around cognac — and they're all the better for it.

These five recipes range from pre-Prohibition classics to timeless French elegance. All use VSOP-grade cognac as a starting point, though VS works fine for more budget-conscious mixing.

1. The Sidecar

The original sophisticated cognac cocktail.

The Sidecar emerged in Paris in the early 1920s and remains one of the most balanced and elegant cocktails ever created. The interplay between cognac, orange liqueur, and citrus is a masterclass in proportion.

  • 50ml VSOP Cognac
  • 25ml Cointreau or triple sec
  • 20ml fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: sugar rim

Method: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist.

Tip: The ratio is flexible. A drier palate prefers less triple sec; those who like sweeter drinks can add a bar spoon of simple syrup.

2. The Sazerac

America's oldest cocktail — and originally made with cognac.

The Sazerac was invented in New Orleans in the 1830s using Sazerac de Forge et Fils cognac. When phylloxera devastated French vineyards in the late 1800s, rye whiskey substituted — but the cognac version is the original, and it's magnificent.

  • 60ml VSOP Cognac
  • 1 sugar cube (or 5ml simple syrup)
  • 3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • Absinthe, to rinse
  • Lemon peel, to garnish

Method: Rinse a chilled rocks glass with a small amount of absinthe and discard. In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar with bitters. Add cognac and ice, stir for 20–25 seconds. Strain into the prepared glass (no ice). Express a lemon peel over the surface and discard (do not drop in).

3. The French Connection

Simple, smooth, and endlessly enjoyable.

Sometimes the best cocktails are the simplest. The French Connection needs only two ingredients and is ready in under a minute.

  • 40ml VSOP Cognac
  • 20ml Amaretto

Method: Build in a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Stir gently to combine. No garnish needed, though an orange slice is a welcome addition.

4. The Stinger

A 1920s classic with surprising refreshment.

The Stinger was a Prohibition-era favorite because white crème de menthe helped mask the character of rough spirits. Made properly with quality cognac, it's a revelation — bracingly minty but with real depth.

  • 50ml VS or VSOP Cognac
  • 25ml white crème de menthe

Method: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled coupe or serve over crushed ice. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

5. Cognac Milk Punch

A rich, warming classic perfect for winter or brunch.

Milk punch is a New Orleans staple — creamy, lightly spiced, and deceptively easygoing. Cognac brings warmth and fruit character that works beautifully with dairy and vanilla.

  • 50ml VSOP Cognac
  • 120ml whole milk (or half-and-half for a richer version)
  • 10ml simple syrup
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Freshly grated nutmeg, to garnish

Method: Combine cognac, milk, simple syrup, and vanilla in a shaker with ice. Shake well. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Grate nutmeg over the top.

A Note on Cognac Selection for Cocktails

For most of these recipes, a mid-range VS or VSOP is the right call. Save your XO for the neat glass. The mixing process won't showcase the subtleties of a very aged spirit, and the cost premium doesn't translate meaningfully into the finished drink. Look for something clean, fruit-forward, and consistent — then let the cocktail itself do the work.