This advertising content was produced in collaboration between Vox Creative and our sponsor, without involvement from Vox Media editorial staff.
When making cocktails at home, it’s easy to fall into familiar patterns — like reaching for the bourbon when you’re stirring a Manhattan or grabbing gin before shaking a round of French 75s. But there’s another spirit to keep handy while you’re mixing up the classics: a quality bottle of Cognac.
Many people think of the refined spirit as a drink you should only sip neat. But the French brandy is perfect for classic cocktails, and in many cases, it was actually the original spirit of choice for bartenders. Spending many years aging in casks, Rémy Martin Cognac has the weight, body, and oaky character that allow it to star front-and-center in a cocktail, yet the delicacy — due to its grape base and lively aromas — to nuance a drink with a lighter touch.
In the U.S. in the 19th century, Cognac was the spirit of choice, for those who could afford it. Even iconically American cocktails, like the mint julep, were traditionally made with Cognac. Today, it’s still true that Cognac, particularly a stellar bottle like Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal, shines in the classics: everything from a sidecar to an espresso martini. Just choose your favorite and give your next cocktail night a Cognac twist.
Some classic cocktails can work well with any dark spirit, like brandy, whiskey, or dark rum. But a sidecar should only be made with a fine Cognac. This iconic cocktail blends the smoothness of Cognac with a spark of orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice.
Ingredients
2 ounces Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
¾ ounce Cointreau
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
Orange or lemon peel
Ice
Method
Combine Rémy Martin 1738, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker, and add ice. Shake and strain into a coupe. Garnish with an orange peel (for richness) or a lemon peel (for freshness).
Sparkling and sophisticated, the Champagne-topped French 75 is a classic that’s experienced a true comeback recently. Some might know the gin version, but the drink was historically made with Cognac, creating an ideal cocktail for entertaining on a summer night.
Ingredients
1 ½ ounces Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
½ ounce simple syrup
½ ounce fresh lemon juice
Champagne (to top off glass)
Lemon twist
Ice
Method
Combine Rémy Martin 1738, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker, and add ice. Shake and strain into a coupe. Top with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Something of a modern classic, the espresso martini is popular for a reason: It marries the best elements of coffee and a cocktail. While the traditional version with vodka keeps the coffee forward, swapping in rich Cognac brings more character, with added butterscotch and dark chocolate notes to complement the espresso.
Ingredients
1 ½ ounces Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
1 ounce espresso
½ ounce coffee liqueur
½ ounce simple syrup
Coffee beans
Ice
Method
Combine Rémy Martin 1738, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup in a shaker, and add ice. Shake and strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
A drink known for its elegance, the Manhattan (which, appropriately, was created in New York) balances the strength of a dark aged spirit with gently sweet vermouth. Because vermouth and Cognac are both grape-based components, the two elements pair perfectly.
Ingredients
2 ounces Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
1 ounce sweet vermouth
1 dash Angostura bitters
Brandied cherry
Ice
Method
Combine Rémy Martin 1738, vermouth, and bitters in a mixing glass, and add ice. Stir well, and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69341776/MIZO_REMY_MARTIN_SHOT_DSC00477_ret.0.png)