14 Easy Cognac Cocktails: Simple Recipes and Perfect Mixers

Cognac is luxury in a glass. Crafted with time, care, and tradition, this French brandy carries an air of elegance, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for sipping neat by the fireplace. While cognac is often enjoyed straight, it’s also an incredibly versatile spirit that shines in cocktails, balancing bold flavors with smooth, layered depth. Whether you’re after a classic recipe, a simple mixer, or something a little unexpected, this guide will show you how to mix cognac in ways that are easy, delicious, and anything but ordinary. Let’s get into it.

Why cognac is a great base for cocktails

For centuries, cognac has been the drink of choice for those who appreciate craftsmanship. Made in the Cognac region of France and aged in oak barrels, this brandy was traditionally sipped neat to fully appreciate its depth and complexity. But just because it has a rich history doesn’t mean it can’t be mixed. In fact, some of the first-ever cocktails were made with cognac, long before whiskey or gin took the spotlight.

So, what makes cognac such a wonderful base for cocktails? It’s all in the flavor. With notes of vanilla, baking spice, caramel, and dried fruit, cognac adds warmth and depth to mixed drinks. It pairs beautifully with citrus, bitters, and liqueurs, creating cocktails that are smooth, bold, and full of character.

Not all cognac is the same, though. If you’re mixing cocktails, it helps to know the difference between the three main categories:

• V.S. (Very Special). Aged for at least two years, VS cognac is bright, fruit-forward, and great for mixing. It holds its own in citrusy cocktails like the Sidecar.
• V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale). Aged for at least four years, V.S.O.P. cognac has deeper spice and oak notes, making it a great choice for stirred cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
• X.O. (Extra Old). Aged for a minimum of ten years, X.O. cognac is the richest and most complex. Best enjoyed in slow-sipping cocktails or served neat to appreciate its full depth.

1. Sidecar

We’d be remiss if we didn’t start our best cognac cocktail list with one of the all-time greats—the Sidecar. This ménage à trois of orange, lemon, and cognac has been around for over a century, so you know it’s good. The citrus is sweet and sharp and provides just enough balance to let the cognac shine. Like many cocktail greats, its history is not entirely clear.

Some say it got its name from a patron who rode up to the bar in a sidecar. Others say it’s because the recipe was too much for the cocktail glass, so the rest was served in a shot on the side, hence the name. Whatever the story is, we highly recommend taking the Sidecar out for a spin.  

Armagnac vs Cognac: Understanding the Differences Between Two Iconic French Brandies

2. Brandy Old Fashioned

The brandy or cognac Old Fashioned is a throwback to a simpler time in cocktail making. No fancy equipment is needed, and no special techniques are required. It’s a cocktail in its purest form as was first described in 1806: ‘a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters’.     

3. Cognac Sazerac

If you go all the way back to the beginning of cocktail history, you’ll find the Sazerac. The big daddy OG cocktail was first mixed in the 1800s. The funny thing is the original was made with cognac. It was only when cognac stopped arriving in New Orleans due to an insect infestation in Europe that the switch to rye whiskey was made. The cognac version is not nearly as intense as the modern-day rye incarnation, but it’s equally complex.  

Read next: 15 Popular Brandy Cocktail Recipes to Try

4. French Connection

Named after Gene Hackman’s classic 1970s movie, the French Connection is the best of France and Italy in a glass. The rich fruit, spice, and wooded flavors of cognac collide with the sweet almond flavor of Amaretto. No one knows who first mixed the two spirits, but the cocktail was an instant hit. It’s a perfect example of simplicity that lets the two ingredients sing. Choose a good quality cognac for this one, because there’s nowhere for a subpar spirit to hide.    

5. Manhattan

The Manhattan is one of the cocktail greats, and it has been ever since its invention at New York’s Manhattan Club. For more than a hundred years, it’s delighted drinkers with its mix of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters. It’s a heady blend of liquor but deliciously smooth, and the cognac version is even more luxurious. The vermouth intensifies the fruit and spice in the cognac, while the orange bitters provide a rounding foil to the sweetness.   

Cocktails, Cognac, and Citrus: Xavier Herit on All Things Grand Marnier

6. French 75

Believe it or not, the French 75 is another cocktail that was originally made with cognac instead of gin. It makes sense considering it was invented in the roaring 20s when excess was standard practice. You can almost imagine the inventor thinking, ‘How can I make this glorious French cognac even more palatable? I know, let’s mix it with some French Champagne!’ Even by today’s standards, it seems over-the-top, but the combination works brilliantly. The Champagne lightens up the cognac and together creates one of the best cognac cocktails you’ve ever tasted.   

7. Cognac Margarita

How do you make one of the world’s most popular cocktails even better? You guessed it, just add a dash of French gold. The cognac Margarita may seem strange at first, but aged tequila and cognac share many of the same flavors of vanilla, caramel, and oak. Add to that sweetness of orange liqueur and lime’s zesty vibrance, and you’ve got a cocktail that rings every flavor sensation.   

8. Cognac Strawberry Iced Tea

From smoky bars with paintings of long-gone heroes to a bright summer brunch table, cognac can do it all. If you don’t believe us, mix yourself up a batch of cognac Strawberry Iced Tea. Not only is it bright and refreshing, but it’s also layered and surprisingly complex. Use unsweetened tea to adjust the sweetness to your taste, and don’t forget a squeeze of lemon for balance!  

9. Milk Punch

If you’re looking for the best cognac cocktail to satisfy a sweet tooth, then say hello to Milk Punch. It’s a creamy mix of cognac, milk, simple syrup, and vanilla extract. Top it with a grating of nutmeg for old-school flavor, and you’ve got a charming 18th-century cocktail. If you’re feeling super indulgent, replace the milk with heavy cream. All that’s left to do is find a comfortable leather chair to sit on and sip the night away.   

10. Brandy Alexander

We’ve come to the end of our best cognac cocktails list, so it’s fitting that we end on a sweet note. The Brandy Alexander decadent 1970s classic puts the excess into hyperdrive with cognac, chocolate liqueur, cream, and grated nutmeg. It’s creamy and dreamy, and the cognac both complements the sweetness and contrasts the richness. It’s a boozy cognac milkshake, and it’ll never go out of style.

11. Cognac Espresso Martini

If you thought the classic Espresso Martini couldn’t get any smoother, wait until you try it with cognac. The rich, velvety notes of the brandy elevate the deep coffee flavors, making for a bold and sophisticated twist on the original. To make one, shake 1.5 oz cognac, 1 oz cooled espresso, 0.5 oz coffee liqueur, and 0.5 oz simple syrup with ice until well chilled. Strain into a chilled Martini glass, then garnish with three coffee beans for a touch of tradition.

12. Spiced Apple Cognac Smash

This fall-inspired cocktail is perfect for crisp evenings or holiday gatherings. Shake 4 oz spiced apple cider, 2 oz cognac, 1 oz Grand Marnier, 1 oz lemon juice, and a pinch of cinnamon with ice until well chilled. Strain into a glass over fresh ice, then garnish with an apple slice or a cinnamon stick for extra flair.

13. Cognac Mojito

A bold twist on the classic Mojito, this version swaps rum for cognac, adding rich caramel and spice notes to the mix. It’s crisp, cool, and packed with flavor. To make one, shake 1.5 oz cognac, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz simple syrup, and a handful of mint leaves with ice. Pour everything, unstrained, into a glass, then top with 1 oz sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of mint for the perfect finish.

14. Cognac Sour

A smooth, citrusy take on the classic Whiskey Sour, this cocktail brings out the rich, oaky depth of cognac while keeping things bright and balanced. Shake 2 oz cognac, 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup with ice until well chilled. Strain into a serving glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

How to choose the best cognac for cocktails

Not all cognac is created equal, and when it comes to mixing cocktails, choosing the right bottle makes all the difference. While aged cognacs are often enjoyed neat, younger expressions bring out the best in mixed drinks. Here’s what you need to know when picking a bottle for your bar.

V.S., V.S.O.P., or X.O.?

• V.S. (Very Special). Young and vibrant, V.S. cognac is your go-to for cocktails. It’s bright, fruit-forward, and holds up well with citrus and other mixers. Ideal for a Sidecar or a Cognac Margarita.
• V.S.O.P. (Very Superior Old Pale). Aged longer, V.S.O.P. has deeper caramel and spice notes, making it perfect for stirred drinks like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan. It’s a step up in richness but still versatile enough for mixing.
• X.O. (Extra Old). Aged for a decade or more, X.O. cognac is smooth, complex, and luxurious. While you can mix it, its full-bodied character is best enjoyed neat or in simple, spirit-forward cocktails that let it shine.

Best cognacs for mixing

You don’t need to break the bank to mix a great cognac cocktail. Look for bottles that offer quality without an over-the-top price tag. We’re big fans of  Courvoisier V.S.O.P. Its rich, full-bodied flavor brings a delicious depth to classic cocktails.

If you’re looking for a splurge-worthy bottle, a well-aged V.S.O.P. or an entry-level X.O. can add a touch of elegance to your cocktails. But for everyday mixing, a quality V.S. or V.S.O.P. is all you need to shake, stir, and enjoy.

The best way to find your favorite cognac clinker? Experiment. Try different recipes, swap ingredients, and see what works for your taste. Whether you lean toward classics like the Sidecar or love putting a twist on old favorites, there’s a sensational sip out there with your name on it. Got a go-to cognac cocktail? Share it with us on socials! And if you’re looking for more cocktail inspiration, sign up for our newsletter; you won’t want to miss what’s coming next.

Watch: Understanding cognac