IBA ★ 4.3 Cognac cocktails
Cognac is the most famous grape brandy in the world, and its depth of fruit, oak and spice makes it a superb cocktail base. The Sidecar, the Vieux Carré, the Between the Sheets and the French Connection all rely on it. On this page you find cognac cocktails along with a guide to the age labels VS, VSOP and XO, so you know which bottle to mix and which to keep for sipping.
12 cocktails
IBA ★ 4.3 
IBA ★ 4 Between the Sheets
IBA ★ 4.3 Brandy Alexander
★ 4.1 Chatham Artillery Punch
★ 4 Four Score
IBA ★ 3.6 French Connection
★ 3.6 Hennchata
★ 2.9 Incredible Hulk
IBA ★ 4.8 Sazerac
IBA ★ 4.6 Sidecar
IBA ★ 3.8 Stinger
IBA ★ 4.2 Suffering Bastard
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What cognac is
Cognac is a protected brandy from a defined region around the town of Cognac in western France. It is made mainly from Ugni Blanc grapes, double distilled in copper pot stills and aged in French oak for at least two years. The region is divided into growth areas (crus), with Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne among the most prestigious; this has nothing to do with the sparkling wine.
The age labels
- VS (Very Special): at least two years in oak. Fruity and lively, well suited to cocktails.
- VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale): at least four years. Rounder, with more oak and spice; excellent in stirred drinks.
- XO (Extra Old): at least ten years under current rules. Complex and best enjoyed neat.
The ages refer to the youngest brandy in the blend.
Cognac in cocktails
Cognac appears in many classic recipes. It is the traditional base of the Sidecar and shares the stage with rye in the Vieux Carré, a New Orleans classic. Its fruit and richness also work well in punches and with sparkling wine.
Choosing a bottle
A good VS or VSOP from a reliable house is ideal for mixing. VSOP gives stirred drinks more depth, VS is lively in sours. There is no need to use XO in cocktails.
Typical ratios
A Sidecar uses about 50 ml cognac, 20 ml orange liqueur and 20 ml fresh lemon juice, shaken and served in a coupe, sometimes with a sugar rim. The Vieux Carré combines equal parts rye, cognac and sweet vermouth (often 25 ml each) with a little Bénédictine and bitters.