How to Properly Drink Cognac: Rules for the New Year's Table and Cocktails.

According to ТСН: Cognac is considered a drink of aristocrats, and it is perfect for festive feasts, especially the New Year's table.

How to Properly Drink Cognac

Cognac is a strong alcoholic drink. Its aging is indicated on the label with stars: this is the number of years the cognac spirit has spent in a barrel. The stars relate only to ordinary cognac. Vintage cognacs have letter designations:

• 'VS' - Very Special (3 years)

• 'VSOP' - Very Superior Old Pale (4 years)

• 'XO' - Extra Old (10 years)

• 'Napoleon' - very old (20 years).

Cognac enthusiasts agree that it should be drunk from the right glass - a snifter. This helps to enjoy the taste and aroma of the drink. The glass should have a wide bowl, a tapered top of conical shape, and a comfortable stem.

The optimal temperature for cognac is between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, which helps to reveal its aromatic qualities. It is recommended to consume the drink in small sips, savoring the aftertaste for maximum flavor.

Cocktails with Cognac

'Brandy Alexander'

This cocktail is a strong, creamy, and chocolatey drink based on cognac.

Ingredients: 30 ml of cognac, 30 ml of Creme de Cacao liqueur, 30 ml of cream, a pinch of nutmeg. In a shaker, mix all the ingredients and serve with ice cubes in a glass.

'Brandy Sour'

This is a citrus cocktail based on cognac.

Ingredients: 40 ml of cognac, 20 ml of simple syrup, 15 ml of lemon juice, quail egg white, ice. In a shaker, mix all the ingredients except for the ice, then add ice to the glass and pour in the mixture.

'French Cinnamon'

A sweet cocktail with cognac.

Ingredients: 30 ml of cognac, 60 ml of apple juice, 10 ml of caramel syrup, cinnamon sticks, ice. Mix all the components in a shaker, pour into a glass, and garnish with cinnamon.

What to Drink Cognac With

There is a tradition of drinking cognac with lemon, but this can overpower its delicate flavor. If the cognac seems too harsh, snacks such as fruits, dark chocolate, hard cheese, pâté, olives, or seafood, as well as canapés with salmon or caviar, are suitable. Dishes with beef, fish, or oysters also complement the drink well.

The combination of good tobacco, expensive cognac, and black coffee can provide real enjoyment.

Cognac is a noble drink known for its smoothness, and quality cognac does not cause a hangover, which is especially important after festive evenings.

Every cognac lover will find the right drink and perfect combinations for themselves. Such traditions not only enrich the celebration but also create a unique atmosphere that is hard to forget. By revealing the flavors of cognac, one can gain unforgettable experiences that will linger in memory for a long time.