Are you looking for the best Hennessy mixed drinks? You've come to the right place! Many mixed drinks use cognac as an ingredient, and it's no surprise why – cognac-based cocktails are delicious, versatile, and can be enjoyed by the classiest of connoisseurs or the most casual of fans.
Hennessy is one of the most well-known cognacs globally, made from various grapes, including Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Folle Noire. As you can imagine, many great cocktails call for this delicious ingredient.
Let's talk all things Cognac and Hennessy mixed drinks!
What is Hennessy?
Hennessy is a French brand of cognac that was founded in 1765. The Hennessy cognac house produces some of the finest cognacs available on the market today. Hennessy has won numerous awards over the years, including the title of "World's Best Cognac" on several occasions.
For Cognac connoisseurs, there can be no dispute: Hennessy is king. The oldest and largest producer of the spirit, Hennessy supplies almost half of the world's cognac to consumers eager to pay top dollar for the premium brand. In addition to its sky-high sales figures, the brand has also solidified a place in pop culture with creative artist collaborations and savvy marketing campaigns.
Hennessy History & Culture
The history of Hennessy is a story of two families, Irishman Richard Hennessy and André and Édouard Labouchère, who started the brand in 1765. The French cognac kept the two families in business for eight generations until they merged with another cognac producer to form Hennessy Group.
After this transition, Hennessy skyrocketed in popularity and became immersed in black culture. Many articles on the web mention rap artist Busta Rhyme's song "Pass the Courvoisier" as the catalyst behind this cultural immersion. But it didn't make cognac popular among Blacks, as people have claimed; Blacks had already been passing it for years.
Hennessy was one of the first spirit brands to strategically (and authentically) invest in a minority group of consumers. There is a long history of cognac consumption among the Black community, dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Hennessy recognized this history and chose to lean in and celebrate it.
Brief History of Cognac
Cognac is a type of brandy made in the Cognac region of France. The first cognacs were produced in the 16th century, and the drink has been popular ever since. Cognac is made from the distilled white wine and then aged in oak barrels. The longer the cognac is aged, the better it will taste. Hennessy cognacs are aged for a minimum of two years, and some for much longer.
Hennessy Flavor Profile
Hennessy has a unique flavor profile that is often described as smooth, mellow, and elegant. It's perfect for sipping neat or on the rocks, but they also make some delicious cocktails. Hennessy uses three different kinds of grapes in their cognacs: Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche, and Folle Noire.
Many fans of Hennessy VS Cognac rave over some of its distinct tasting notes, such as its woody and floral flavors. The complete flavor profile is typically described as warm, open, and fruit-forward with almond, apple, pecan, grape, cedar, and oak notes.
The aroma of Hennessy matches the tasting experience and sipping the cognac will give a medium-length, warm finish.
The Best Way to Drink Hennessy
Hennessy cognac can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. Hennessy mixed drinks are some of the most popular cocktails around, and they are perfect for any occasion. The best part is that Hennessy mixes well with one other ingredient, or in a more complex cocktail, you might find at your favorite cocktail bar.
So, if you're wondering if there's a "best" way to drink Hennessy, the answer doesn't exist! It's based on your preferences, primarily because of Hennessy's versatility.
What Mixers Pair Well With Hennessy?
Hennessy mixes well with various mixers, including cola, ginger ale, orange juice, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. You can also use Hennessy in cocktails that call for other types of liquor, such as scotch or rum. Hennessy is a cognac, which is a type of brandy. The distillation process of the spirit involves grapes, so if you're looking to get creative, crafting a Hennessy mixed drink at home that highlights your newly acquired mixology knowledge can be a fun way to boost your cocktail-making skills.
Top 10 Hennessy Mixed Drinks & Cocktails
As one would expect from a brand as iconic as Hennessy, there is no shortage of delicious cocktails that call for their cognac. Hennessy mixed drinks are perfect for any occasion, whether you're looking to celebrate something special or enjoy a delightful drink with friends.
Here are ten of the best Hennessy mixed drinks that will please any palate—from mixologist-approved cocktails to simple two-ingredient mixed drinks for quick imbibing.
Let's dive in!
5 Best Hennessy Mixed Drinks & Cocktails
Cocktails are mixed drinks that have upped their game a bit, so we had to include a few favorites among our list of the best Hennessy mixed drinks.
Check out our top five below!
Hennessy Pineapple Sour
This cocktail recipe comes from the Hennessy brand itself, so we know it's crafted to perfection. The mix of pineapple and lime makes for a refreshingly tart mixed drink cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hennessy VS Cognac
- 1.5oz Pineapple Juice
- 1.5oz Sour Mix
- 1 lime wedge
Instructions:
Add all ingredients (except the lime wedge) into a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake. Then, strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Sip and enjoy!
Hennessy Sidecar
The sidecar is a classic cognac cocktail that dates to its first appearance in the 1922 cocktail book Harry's ABCs of Mixing Cocktails. Like many traditional drinks, its detailed history and the original creator are a bit unclear. Still, one thing is for sure: the sidecar cocktail is a timeless tipple that lets Hennessy shine.
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hennessy
- 0.5oz Lemon juice
- 0.75oz Cointreau
- 0.25oz Simple syrup
Instructions:
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake. Garnish with a twist of lemon.
Hennessy Stinger
This two-ingredient cocktail is a classic cocktail that is easy to make, boozy, and downright delicious. It's classified as a digestif and dates to Harry Craddock's 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book.
Ingredients:
- 2.5oz Hennessy
- 0.5oz Crème de Menthe
Instructions:
Add the ingredients to a mixing glass. Add ice, and stir for 20-30 seconds. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a mint sprig.
Hennessy Crusta
Sticking with the classic cocktail theme, the Brandy Crusta is a cocktail that changed the cocktail scene. Joseph Santini was its original creator, and he crafted the drink around 1850 in New Orleans.
It's known as a game-changer cocktail because it's one of the first to include citrus juice, as this practice wasn't common around the time. In his 1862 cocktail book called How to Mix Drinks, Jerry Thomas recorded it.
Take a sip of game-changing history!
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hennessy
- 0.5oz Maraschino liqueur
- 0.75oz Lemon juice
- 0.5oz Cointreau
- 2 Dashes of Angostura bitters
Instructions:
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, fill with ice, and shake. Strain and garnish with a lemon twist.
Hennessy Velvet Berry
Another cocktail recipe from the Hennessy brand, this drink mixes it up on another level. While it's a bit more complicated than others, it is a must-try for those looking for a more complex Hennessy mixed drink.
Check it out and give it a go!
Ingredients:
- 1.5oz Hennessy VS Cognac
- 0.25oz Crème de Mure or Creme de Cassis
- 0.5oz Lime juice
- 0.5oz Lemon juice
- 0.75oz Simple syrup
- 4 Raspberries
- 1 Egg white
- 1 Basil leaf
Instructions:
Add the raspberries and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker and muddle them together. Next, add all other ingredients (except the basil leaf). Shake vigorously without ice for 15-30 seconds. Open the shaker tin, add ice, and shake again—double strain using the fine mesh strain from your bartender kit. Garnish with the basil leaf and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
If you’re looking for more Hennessy mixed drink and cocktail ideas, check out this list of easy whiskey drinks to make at home. All you have to do is sub in Hennessy, and you’ll have your own unique spin!
5 Best Two-Ingredient Hennessy Mixed Drinks
Hennessy is a versatile spirit that offers consumers a wide range of mixers to complement its unique characteristics.
Here are our top five sodas and juices for making quick and easy Hennessy mixed drinks at home or behind the bar:
- Hennessy and Club Soda (or Tonic Water)
- Hennessy and Ginger Ale
- Hennessy and Coke
- Hennessy and Sprite
- Hennessy and Cranberry Juice
Hennessy pairs well with several other juices, such as pineapple juice, orange juice, and apple juice. To enjoy the combinations above, all you have to do is add the ingredients to a glass filled with ice, give a quick stir (or not), and enjoy.
Whether you sip your cognac straight or opt for your Hennessy in a mixed drink or cocktail, you can't go wrong with the spirit's luxurious flavors.
Hennessy Mixed Drinks With Mixly
Are you drawn in by the allure of making a Hennessy cocktail, wanting to go beyond the more straightforward two-ingredient Hennessy mixed drinks? Are you hesitant to make a cocktail because of all the steps and ingredients involved? Well, there's a solution!
Mixly's mixers provide the fresh, flavorful ingredients we all love in a cocktail, making it as simple as pouring a two-ingredient mixed drink.
Our top 5 Mixly flavors to pair with Hennessy are:
- Rosemary Lemon Honey
- Pineapple Basil Lime
- Pear Honey Vanilla
- Strawberry Pomegranate
- Coconut Ginger Lime
All you have to do is add Hennessy to a glass with ice, top off with your Mixly cocktail mixer of choice, stir it, and enjoy! A quick and easy Hennessy mixed drink that's on par with all the complex mixology-approved cocktails.
Cheers!
