Have a heightened and grape-tinged tipple with the robust and rich Cognac Old Fashioned.
Through the work I’ve done here at Twist & Toast, I’ve learned quite a bit by being open to ideas that I would never have normally been exposed to, or something I would’ve never thought about on my own. Like thinking about cognac, for example. If I went into a store with the idea of having a cocktail or two that night, I might just grab a little gin or some bourbon. If it’s summertime and I’m in a tropical mood, rum would be the spirit of choice. But unless I had heard about it elsewhere, I wouldn’t walk in and think about getting the French-produced spirit, cognac, to make an Old Fashioned with. But work affords me a wide palette for my palate to play with, thankfully.
Today’s tipple is indeed an Old Fashioned, and one made with a cognac base instead of a rye whiskey or bourbon foundation. The build is still pretty similar, but the Cognac Old Fashioned features the use of a warm and rich demerara syrup, which has notes of toffee and caramel, over ordinary sugar. And with one dash each of Angostura and orange bitters, cocktail enthusiasts are in for a robust and smooth sipping experience, with a nice bite on the finish.
One of the wonderful things about mixing up an adult beverage or two (or three) for yourself on a slow night at home is that you can play around with only one or two elements by swapping them out for something else, and thus crafting something entirely new, yet wholly familiar. The Cognac Old Fashioned is a fine example of this, and if you’re in the mood for something like that, but you just aren’t sure what that is, it might just be this cocktail.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Cognac Old Fashioned?
Why, cognac of course. If you opted to make your drink with brandy instead, what you’ve crafted is a Brandy Old Fashioned, also known as a Wisconsin Old Fashioned. For tonight’s recipe, let’s choose a well-known and balanced-tasting cognac to mix our drink with. If you’re unfamiliar with this spirit, a bottle of VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) is a great starting point to begin exploring. Brands like Hennessy, Martell and Courvoisier are all excellent choices, and will make a fine Cognac Old Fashioned.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cognac
- 1/4 ounce demerara syrup
- 1 dash orange bitters
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, add the cognac, demerara syrup, orange bitters, and Angostura bitters. Fill the glass with ice and stir until well chilled, about 30 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a pre-chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Preferably, use one large ice cube.
- Express a lemon peel over the drink to release its essential oils and then add the peel as garnish.
- If you do not have demerara syrup on hand, you can make it by combining equal parts demerara sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring gently until the sugar dissolves. Do not let the mixture boil. Remove from heat, let cool before using.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
An Old Fashioned glass is the traditional way to imbibe and enjoy this type of cocktail. Pop a fresh and large ice cube in your glass, pour your drink in and express the oils from a lemon peel over it, then pop it in for garnish.
What is the difference between cognac and brandy?
Cognac is brandy, but for brandy to be cognac, it must come from the Cognac region in France. Cognac is also made with a specific white grape, while brandy can be produced from a number of fruits, as well as anywhere in the world.
Other Old Fashioned variations worth trying
A spirit, sugar and bitters all mixed luxuriously together is a tipple that has stood tall and proud since the 19th century. And when something as time-honored and legendary as an Old Fashioned remains at the top of the heap, it will invariably inspire other drinks like it, or variations on the original. Try some of these to see how different and familiar this stalwart can be.
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned – This smoky and robust take features both tequila and mezcal.
- Maple Old Fashioned – Sweet, spiced and strong is this maple-infused elixir.
- Smoked Old Fashioned – A libation that carries quite a bit of atmosphere and ambiance.
- Irish Old Fashioned – Whiskey from the Emerald Isle makes this dram a smooth and buttery sipper.
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