Hennessy is one of the four leading cognac producers and an absolute giant in the industry. Playing with the biggest of boys in one of the most demanding markets, Hennessy has managed to retain and upgrade its glory for over two centuries.
Created by an Irishman, Richard Hennessy, it bears the essence of the Irish charm, mixed with the recognizable French elegance.
Richard Hennessy was a military officer who served French king Louis XV. He retired to France, where he began his new love story, creating the cognac that people would enjoy centuries later.
This brand is a rare pearl in the spirit industry, as it somehow remained a family business owned and managed by the Hennessy family. The headquarters of the Hennessy brand is still in the Cognac region in France.
The Hennessy brand is devoted to perfecting the signature product and raising the family name to a new level.
The Hennessy brand has various cognacs, each made with the same diligence, attention, and skill. They vary in price and flavor, but each Hennessy bottle carries the recognizable Hennessy marking.
Known and loved by seasoned cognac lovers and some of the less experienced cognac enthusiasts, the Hennessy cognac is versatile in its use. While you can have a glass, slowly sipping it neat, or on the rocks, you can mix it and turn it into a delicious cocktail.
There’s a saying that says, “You can’t make a bad cocktail with good drinks,” which is true regarding Hennessy cocktails. The quality of this cognac transpires through the other ingredients and envelops the final result in elegance, taste, and enjoyment.
There is a whole sea of Hennessy cocktails you can try, but without the proper knowledge, you may not enjoy them as you might think. So what are the best Hennessy cocktails?
Hennessy cognac is known for its smoothness and fruity and floral notes. The Hennessy cognacs are smooth, with slight notes of burnt wine, sweet, oaky, floral, and fruity. Even though each variety has its taste features, they all carry the classic Hennessy notes.
They all have smooth finishes and a flavorful warming burn. Therefore, the Hennessy spirits pair excellently with similar drinks, i.e., fruity, floral, and gentle.
If you feel particularly curious, you can always mix the Hennessy cognac with something harsher and bitter to bring out its sweetness and add a bit of edge.
20 Best Hennessy Cocktails
In the following article, I will give you a list of Hennessy cocktails you can try and upgrade your Hennessy experience even more. It’s a long list, so read on to find the Hennessy cocktail that resonates with you the most.
1. Strawberry Hennessy
This simple cocktail contains only three ingredients- champagne, strawberry syrup (optionally cut strawberries), and your favorite variety of Hennessy cognac.
This elegant, tender, and bubbly drink will tease and seduce you, especially if you are a sucker for fruity and sweetness.
Add one-quarter Hennessy cognac and two-quarters champagne. Add two tbsps. of simple syrup and mix well in a shaker.
You will feel the typical alcoholic flavor all cognacs have interspersed with the pearly champagne bubbles and the irresistible fruity sweetness of the strawberry syrup.
The entire combination tastes somewhere between cognac, champagne, and strawberry soda. You can decorate it any way you want and enjoy it.
2. Hennessy Martini
You will need a Hennessy VS for this cocktail, though you can mix it with any Hennessy if you don’t have the VS handy. The other ingredient is citrus juice. Mixing the Hennessy with the citrus juice will produce a cocktail beyond words.
Add two parts citrus juice and one part Hennessy to a shaker and mix well. Pour the mixture into a glass over ice.
The sour and sweet mash-up of the citrus juice will be an excellent match for the Hennessy cognac’s rich fruity and floral notes.
However, the Hennessy is the predominant ingredient here, with only a tbsp. You will still feel the fruity and fresh citrus notes of citrus juice.
Decorate the glass with sugar on the rim and perhaps a lemon slice inside and on the rim as well.
More: What To Mix With Hennessy
3. Hennessy Gummy Bears
Although this isn’t a cocktail in the traditional sense, the Hennessy gummy bears still deserve a spot on this list. Like Jell-O shots, the Hennessy gummy bears are an excellent addition to any party, as they are not exactly suited to have alone at home.
Made of Hennessy cognac, whichever variety you prefer, sugar, coke, and gelatin, the Hennessy gummy bears are as simple as they can be. They won’t take up too much of your time, nor will they set you back a lot.
Considering that the amount of Hennessy cognac is twice the amount of coke, the Hennessy gummy bears are not to be underestimated, as they are strong. Nevertheless, you will enjoy them with the right company and in the right amount.
4. Hennessy and Pineapple Juice
Just like the name says, this cocktail is sweet and soft like pineapple juice and fruity and edgy like the Hennessy cognac.
It contains nothing more than Hennessy cognac, pineapple juice, and sweet and sour mix. Mix one part of each in a shaker and pour over ice in a glass.
This mix is a great way to spend an afternoon by yourself or with a close friend, as it is very refreshing, relaxing, and delicious. You don’t have to worry about the making procedure because it is just throwing everything in a shaker and mixing well.
Use half an ounce of everything and decorate with a lemon wedge in the end. You can also put the lemon wedge inside the glass to release juices and enrich the taste.
You will definitely like the simplicity of this cocktail if you aren’t in the mood for anything too experimental.
5. Mint Julep
This is a very straightforward three-ingredient cocktail made of Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilege, simple syrup, and mint leaves. Although you may not think the mint leaves will change much, don’t omit them, as they mean a great deal in this cocktail.
Put the syrup and the Hennessy in a shaker and mix well. Add as much as you like, but don’t go overboard with the syrup. Pour the mixture in a glass over ice and place the mint leaves on top.
If you don’t have the Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilege variant use another Hennessy you have, but the V.S.O.P. Privilege is the best for this cocktail because it has expressive notes of chocolate and fruit.
The simple syrup will continue the already established mood, while the mint leaves will bring a different dimension to the cocktail. If you want to relax and freshen up, don’t think twice about treating yourself to this delicious drink.
6. Hennessy Sunset Punch Cocktail
Containing 12 ingredients, the Hennessy Sunset Punch cocktail is definitely a complex one, and you cannot just make it out of nowhere, as the ingredients aren’t exactly what you would have lying around your kitchen.
Nevertheless, this cocktail definitely deserves a spot on this list because it is delicious and rich. The name says it all. The sunset part is in its color and the sensation you get when drinking it, while the punch part comes from the way you mix it in a bowl.
You will need Hennessy cognac, Grand Mariner, water, gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, grapefruit, grenadine, fresh orange, fresh lemon, fresh lime, and orange bitters. This cocktail is fruity, floral, sweet, and sour. Perfect for a get-together and a great conversation starter.
7. Manhattan Cocktail
For this cocktail, you will need two parts of Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilege and one part of vermouth as the main ingredients. The other elements of this cocktail are ice cubes and four Angostura bitter dashes.
You will love this cocktail because it is the perfect combination of sweet, sour, and fruity. Nevertheless, this potent mixture contains two strong alcohols, so don’t go too far. Mix everything well in a shaker and strain the mixture in a glass over ice. Sip slowly and enjoy.
8. French Connection
This mix works best as a shot, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try sipping it slowly; but it is a little bit too strong for slow sipping. The French Connection cocktail is one of the simplest mixes there are.
Just mix two parts Hennessy Cognac with one part amaretto in a shaker. It is important that you give it some serious effort, as it needs vigorous shaking. Strain the liquid and enjoy a shot or a glass of the French Connection cocktail.
You will notice notes of dark chocolate and almonds with an intense alcoholic whiff.
More: D’usse vs Hennessy
9. French 75 Cocktail
Mix two parts Hennessy Very Special or Hennessy V.S.O.P., one part fresh lemon juice, and one tsp. simple syrup, sparkling wine or champagne, and one lemon twist. Mix the Hennessy with the lemon juice in a shaker and add the simple syrup.
Pour the mixture into a glass and top it with sparkling wine or champagne. Yes, it is that simple. You will drink a delicious fruity and bubbly drink in just a few minutes. This cocktail tastes somewhere between cognac, lemonade, and soda, and it is genuinely unique.
Although the lemon twist is purely decorative, it will release some of its magic into the drink, so be prepared to have an explosion of flavors.
10. Hennessy Passion
Like the name tells you, this is a refreshing cocktail and a perfect addition to a relaxing afternoon at home. The best Hennessy variety for this drink is the Hennessy Very Special due to its woody and fruity taste, mixing perfectly with the sour mix and tropical juice.
Although there is no actual lemonade in this cocktail, the taste resulting from the tropical juice, sour mix, and cognac is very similar to lemonade and abundantly refreshing.
Sadly, for this mix, you cannot substitute the Hennessy Very Special with another Hennessy variation, as nothing will go that perfectly with the other ingredients.
Substituting the Hennessy very special with another Hennessy variety would mean getting another taste, which you may or may not like.
If you feel like experimenting, go ahead and mix another Hennessy into this cocktail, but know that you won’t get the refreshing sensation described above.
11. Hennessy Margarita
Containing Hennessy cognac, triple sec, and tequila (Blanco), this is definitely a strong cocktail combining three alcoholic drinks. The rest of the ingredients are there to milden the strong alcoholic tastes, but not their effect.
In addition to the cognac, triple sec, tequila, sweet and sour mix, and ice. This cocktail tastes between tequila and orange, interspersed with fruity Hennessy cognac notes and the strong alcoholic notes of the triple sec.
This is definitely an excellent cocktail if you want to have a night of fun with a few close friends. I wouldn’t recommend you having this cocktail alone, as the alcohol amount will make you pretty talkative after a few sips.
12. Hennessy and Coke
This list wouldn’t be complete without Hennessy and coke. Cognac and coke is a classic, and Hennessy and coke is a pure delight. As simple as it is delicious, which is a lot, this cocktail is a perfect fit for any mood, season, or time of day.
The Hennessy and coke mix comes in handy particularly well whenever you don’t feel creative but you want to enjoy something other than a Hennessy on the rocks or neat. Mix the coke and Hennessy any way you prefer.
Whether you add more coke or Hennessy or make them 50-50 is totally up to you. Adjust the Hennessy and coke ratio according to your preference, but I would advise you to make it 70-30 in favor of coke.
13. Hennessy Mule Cocktail
For this cocktail, you will need one part Hennessy Very Special, three parts ginger ale, and one citrus wedge. If you expect this cocktail to be mild and sweet, you would be wrong, so if you like those tastes, don’t make this one.
On the other hand, if you like stronger and zestier flavors, you are in the right place. Since the amount of ginger ale is considerably higher than the amounts of the rest of the ingredients, you will feel the strong ginger notes.
However, ginger is not all there is to this cocktail, as the chocolaty flavor of the Hennessy Very Special has a little something to add to the mix.
Mix the Hennessy and the ginger ale in a shaker and pour the mixture into a glass with ice cubes. Throw the citrus wedge in and let it release its magic. This cocktail will be spot on for you if you are a fan of ginger.
14. Hennessy 44
This cocktail has been named after the Hennessy cognac used in it. Hennessy 44 is a very limited edition cognac produced by the Hennessy brand in honor of President Barack Obama.
It is very hard to find, so I encourage you to make this cocktail with whichever Hennessy variation you can get ahold of.
This cocktail includes pineapple juice and champagne and, of course, Hennessy 44, which, as I said, you can substitute for another Hennessy variation. Mix 1 oz Hennessey 44 with 1 oz champagne and 2 oz pineapple juice.
The mixture will be frothy, so you need to strain it in a glass over two or three ice cubes. Give the cocktail one final brush by stirring it with a straw, and enjoy the sweet, fruity, and floral notes.
15. Hennessy Sazerac
Made with one part Hennessy V.S.O.P., Privilège, four angostura bitters, and one tsp. Absinthe, one and a half tsp. simple syrup and one teaspoon of lemon zest, this cocktail is more on the stronger side in both flavor and effect.
Even though the amount of Absinth is very low, still this cocktail can get you woozy, so be careful with it. Otherwise, it is flavorful and aromatic, stimulating your taste buds and teasing your palate.
Making this cocktail is as simple as it can be; just mix the ingredients together in a shaker and shake well. Pour the mixture into a glass and ass the lemon zest directly into the glass. Stir with a straw and enjoy.
16. Jack-O-Lantern Cocktail
Mixing together Hennessy cognac, whichever you prefer, orange liqueur, and ginger ale will give you this amazingly cute cocktail that is entirely deserving of its name.
Combining the colors and shades of an actual Jack-O-Lantern, you will enjoy looking at this tart-tasting delicacy.
Mix two parts ginger ale, one part orange liqueur, and one part Hennessy cognac. Mix the ingredients well in a shaker and pour the cocktail into a glass over some ice. This candy-flavored cocktail is a perfect addition to a Halloween party or simply a fun gathering.
17. Hennessy Sidecar
Mixing two parts Hennessy V.S.O.P. Privilège, one tsp. lemon or lime juice, one tsp. Cointreau, and one tsp. orange zest, this cocktail screams orange. If you like orange-flavored vodka or mixing orange flavor and alcohol, this cocktail is the right one for you.
If you are a fan of orange-flavored drinks, you will love the Hennessy Sidecar, as it tastes like orangey wine. Somewhere between a spirit and an orange-dominated sangria, you will love the tenderness of this beverage.
Making it is very simple; just mix the ingredients, except for the orange zest, in a shaker and give it some effort. Pour it into a glass, add the orange zest, stir with a straw, and sip.
Still, I wouldn’t say that you feel its effects after the first glass, but you will most certainly enjoy it.
18. Hennessy Slushy
Made with Hennessy, orange juice, triple sec, and pineapple juice, this cocktail is refreshing, sweet, delicious, and very appealing. Add one and a half oz. of Hennessy, and one oz. of the other ingredients.
Mix everything well in a shaker and pour it over a glass filled with crushed ice. The ice will absorb the color of the Hennessy slushy, becoming light-orange colored, resembling a slushy.
19. Guava Cocktail
This is a sweet and colorful cocktail you will most certainly enjoy. Add two parts of Hennessy cognac, two parts of guava juice, two parts of strawberries, and one lemon wedge for decoration.
It is important that you chop the strawberries into tiny pieces so that they will additionally crush and squeeze while mixing. You also add some ice to the shaker for better mixing of the ingredients; however, you don’t have to.
Because this cocktail uses fresh strawberries, you will need to strain the mixture well before drinking it. You can use a strainer or a cloth to get the most of the strawberry juice. It is not that the strawberry pieces will ruin the taste, but they will make the cocktail difficult to drink.
20. Café Amore
Amaretto, Hennessy, and your favorite espresso coffee create this wonderfully delicious beverage. The main ingredient here is the coffee, and you will be spiking with Amaretto and Hennessy cognac.
Use the Hennessy variation you like the most, as this drink’s deliciousness depends on what you like best, so there is no particular Hennessy you should use.
Fill two-thirds of your cup with coffee, and fill the rest of the cup with Amaretto and Hennessy cognac. You can also add some whipped cream on top to make it look and taste like a dessert. This beverage is a great morning starter; don’t worry; it won’t get you drunk.
20 Amazing Hennessy Cocktails Recipes
This is a refined and classical Hennessy cocktail, and if you like Manhattan and Old Fashioned, you will most certainly like this one.
Ingredients
- 3/4 ounce Hennessy cognac
- 3/4 ounce sweet vermouth
- 3/4 ounce rye whiskey
- 4 dashes of Dale DeGroff’s pimento aromatic bitters
- 2 teaspoons Benedictine liqueur
- Cherry or lemon twist
Instructions
- Add the rye whiskey, Hennessy cognac, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, and bitters into a shaker with ice and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain the mixture over fresh ice in a cocktail glass.
- Use the cherry or the lemon twist as decoration. You can also use both for extra appeal.
