By michael vivar
Cognac is a specific variety of brandy. It's distilled from grapes found in the Cognac region of France. One of the rarefied, indulgent brands available is Hennessy.
The company was founded by Richard Hennessy, an Irish military officer. In 1765, he retired to Cognac where he began producing and exporting the legendary spirit.
In the 1950s, Hennessy began aggressively marketing to the American Black community with ads in Ebony and Jet magazines.
Hennessy is now the premier cognac among African-Americans with 60% market share. It's enjoyed by social justice advocates and hip-hop moguls alike. Here are Hennessy cocktails for every occasion.
Pour one part Hennessy into an ice-filled brandy snifter. Add two parts ginger beer. Garnish with candied ginger or plain ginger with a coating of sugar on the snifter rim.
Combine two parts Hennessy and two parts apple juice in a rocks glass with ice. Add one part honey. Add one part lime juice. Stir gently with a cinnamon stick.
Combine three parts Hennessy, two parts lychee juice, one part St. Germaine and a squeeze of lime into an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain into rocks glass.
Pour three parts Hennessy into a rocks glass with a large ice cube. Splash in one part simple syrup. Add two dashes of Angostura bitters. Garnish with an orange twist.
Combine three parts Hennessy, two parts Campari and half part sweet vermouth into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with orange twist.
Combine four parts Hennessy, two parts espresso and one part simple syrup into an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
Pour one part Hennessy into an ice-filled highball glass. Add three parts lemon lime soda. Add two dashes of Angostura bitters. Stir gently. Garnish with orange twist.
Which of these cocktails will you try first?