Curious about Cognac? National Cognac Day is June 4, making this holiday as good an excuse as any to take a fresh look at one of the world’s classic brandy varieties. Historically, this serious French elixir has long been the choice of the royals and the rich—it was served at the 1889 grand opening of the Eiffel Tower, and was Napoleon Bonaparte’s go-to drink—but lately even rappers, like Ludacris, have become fans. Courvoisier reports that the Cognac category has grown a whopping 24.8% in the U.S. over the last four years.

It’s known primarily as a pour to be sipped, neat, from a proper snifter. But in fact, cognac is one of the original mixable spirits. Cognac was a key ingredient in some of the very first cocktails ever mixed: namely, the Old Fashioned, Julep, Sazerac and Sour.  For a new twist on an old favorite, here are three new cocktail recipes to add to your mixology arsenal. A' votre sante'. 

 

Fresh Start

1 ½ parts Courvoisier VS

½ part passion fruit purée

¼ part fresh lime juice

Ginger beer

3-4 fresh raspberries for garnish

Method: Build in cocktail shaker, shake with ice, and strain into a large coupe cocktail glass. Top with a ginger beer float and garnish with raspberries.

Courvoisier Vieux Carre

1 ½ parts Courvoisier VS

1 part Rye (Redemption Barrel Proof Rye, 10-year, is outstanding)

¾ part Carpano Antica sweet vermouth

1 teaspoon Benedictine

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

2 dashes Peychaud's Bitters

Orange

Method: Build in an Old Fashioned glass, add ice and stir. Garnish with an expressed orange swath.

First Blush

1 ½ parts Courvoisier VSOP

1/2 part apricot brandy (such as Marie Brizard or Rothman & Winter) 

1/4 part fresh lime juice

4 lime wedges

Method: Build in Boston shaker, add ice, and squeeze in limes. Shake and pour into a classic high-ball glass. Top with sparkling wine and garnish with a lime wedge.