No longer a spirit only to be sipped slowly by your grandfather, Cognac is being touted by many as the spirit of 2018. One of the original cocktail spirits, it’s a type of brandy made from double-distilled white wine from grapes grown in the Cognac region of France (duh).
Area hot spots have confirmed that interest in the tasty brown liquor is on the rise. Sip it at Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa, which serves Hardy on its International Flight menu, and Brickell’s Komodo—they blend Hennessy with citrus, yuzu agave, Berentzen cherry liquor and grapefruit juice in their Cherry Blossom cocktail for $17.
Try Cognac at home:
When paired with the right ingredients, Cognac is a delightful new addition to our imbibing lineup. “Cognac certainly has the potential to play a much larger role in the industry than it has in the past. It's for people that appreciate a more sophisticated spirit," explained Ryan Zemel, general manager at Fort Lauderdale’s Terra Mare.
Recipe for the Aunt Mary at Terra Mare:
- 1.5 oz. Remy Martin VSOP
- .75 oz. Chambord
- .5 oz. lemon juice
- .5 oz. ginger syrup
- Splash of champagne
Serve over large ice cubes in a rocks glass and garnish with a lemon twist.