With so few ingredients in classics cocktails, starting with a high quality base spirit is vital. Hennessy brings elegance and complexity to any classic cocktail.
Made with over 250 years of Maison Hennessy’s savoir-faire and with exacting standards for eaux-de-vie selection, Hennessy Very Special is a highly nuanced yet expressive cognac and a distinctly toasty and spicy character from new oak maturation, highlighted perfectly in classics such as the Mint Julep and Old Fashioned. Whilst Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, created at the request of King George IV in 1817 and slowly matured for up to 15 years, brings a beautiful harmony of candied fruits and softer spice to iconic cocktails that will stand the test of time.
Many classic cocktails, in fact, originally called for Hennessy before the Phylloxera bug in 1870 destroyed 80 per cent of French vineyards, and the supply of cognac, which saw all cognac-based cocktails be replaced by other spirits such as whiskey, rye or rum.
Revisit timeless classics with a Hennessy twist.
Original Mint Julep
“Inextricably linked to the Kentucky Derby, this icy summer drink is also
synonymous with the American South and elevated with Hennessy V.S.
reminds us its iconic status. “
50ml Hennessy Very Special
10ml apricot brandy
10ml heavy simple syrup (2:1 sugar to water)
8 mint leaves
Garnish: mint sprig, optional orange twist and dusting of icing sugar
Glass: Julep tin or highball
Method: Place 8 leaves of mint in the bottom Julep tin,
press with a muddler to release the aromatics, add some crushed ice and
other ingredients, mix vigorously, fill the rest of the glass with crushed ice,
garnish with a few sprigs of mint and optional orange twist and dusting of icing sugar.
Old Fashioned
Created in Louisville, Kentucky in 1881, the Old-Fashioned found its spiritual
home at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel bar in New York City.
The aromatic spice of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, a dash of bitters and sweet syrup
all blend perfectly to make up this legendary cocktail.
50ml Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
10ml simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Garnish: orange twist
Glass: rocks glass
Method: in a mixing glass add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice,
stir until chilled, strain into a Rocks glass and garnish with an orange twist.
Hennessy Sidecar
“This classic cocktail originated in the Ritz Hotel Bar in Paris.
Festive, refreshing, and aromatic, its citrusy notes are timeless.
Simple does not equal boring. ”
50ml Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège
15ml Grand Marnier
25ml fresh lemon juice
10ml simple syrup
Garnish: Lemon Twist
Glass: Coupe or Martini
Method: Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice,
shake until chilled, strain into a chilled cocktail coupe or martini glass,
garnish with a lemon twist
Note: the simple syrup is added to modernize this classic and remove the sugar rim.
It also allows for a greater portion of lemon juice which is the
original intent of this drink to have some tartness.
