11 Classic Hennessy Cocktails

These 11 classic and modern Hennessy cocktails are so easy to make at home.

As tasty as Hennessy is on its own – whether neat or on the rocks – using it to make cocktails is tons more fun.

Hennessy is a brand of Cognac, which is a high-end French spirit made of grape-based brandy.

It originated in the Cognac region of France, hence the name.

Its complex and aromatic flavors make it an incredible addition to tipples.

In fact, it is an essential ingredient in many a classic cocktail, such as the age-old sidecar and French 75.

If you’re looking for relatively brand-new bevies, though, this list is loaded with them as well. 

Care to try a cozy Hennessy margarita? Or how about a refreshing Hennessy slushie? Whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll surely find it here.

Cheers!

1. French 75

Let’s get the ball rolling with the timeless French 75. 

Modern versions of this champagne cocktail call for gin, but if you want to stick to the classic, Hennessy is the way to go.

I mean, gin is okay, but we all know cognac is so much fancier.

The original French 75 has a blend of cognac, champagne, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Garnished with a lemon twist, it’s a simple drink that’s wonderfully fizzy and refreshing.

2. Sidecar

Perhaps Cognac’s most popular cocktail, the sidecar is a century-old cocktail that’s still well-loved to this day.

If you’re serious about being a cocktail connoisseur, be sure to have this cocktail in your repertoire.

It falls under the sours category, which is a kind of cocktail made up of sweet, sour, and strong (i.e. alcohol) components. 

In the case of the Sidecar, these components consist of Cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice.

It’s wonderfully sweet and sour with a delicious Hennessy kick.

3. Cafe Amore

Just one look at this coffee cocktail and you’ll understand how it earned its name. The cafe amore will surely make you fall in love.

This hot concoction is a warm and nutty blend of Hennessy, amaretto, and black coffee.

The great thing about it is that you can use your favorite coffee to make sure you’ll enjoy its taste.

Garnished with a dollop of whipped cream and shaved almonds on top.

Think of it as your favorite morning drink that’s been given an adult twist.

4. Hennessy Margarita 

Ever wondered what margarita would taste like if you added Cognac to the mix? Wonder no more!

This recipe will introduce you to a new kind of margarita you’ll absolutely love.

With a combo of tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, and Hennessy, this margarita is refreshing and sophisticated as can be.

You’ll really taste the difference because Cognac has such distinct nutty and oaky flavors that complement well with the other components in a classic margarita.

5. Hennessy Slushie

How stinking cute are the colors in this slushie, don’t you agree?

From the colors alone, you can tell how much fun and flavorful this cocktail is.

Thankfully, this slushie is as tasty as it looks. It’s made of two flavors of Hennessy slushie to create that lovely, two-toned look.

It’s not the easiest cocktail on this list, for sure, but it also happens to be one of the tastiest. 

6. Hennessy 44

Hennessy 44 is a limited edition Cognac that was created in 2009 to honor the 44th US president, President Barack Obama.

Along with the release of the Hennesy 44 is this cocktail recipe that combines Hennessy, pineapple juice, and champagne.

The limited-edition Hennessy 44 is very rare, though, so don’t feel like you can’t try this recipe if you only have regular Hennessy. 

7. French Connection

The French connection is a 2-ingredient sipper that calls for cognac and amaretto.

First appearing in the 1970s, the cocktail got its name from the Gene Hackman feature of the same name.

This cocktail has a sweet and bright blend of almonds, vanilla, and stone fruits. Together, the two components create a luscious harmony of flavors.

8. Jack-O’-Lantern Cocktail

I mean, how adorable is its name? This moniker alone is enough to get anybody intrigued!

The jack-o-lantern cocktail is just as fun and bright as you imagine it to be. 

Cognac, orange liqueur, orange juice, and ginger ale are mixed to create a sweet, tart, and mildly spiced cocktail.

Its vibrant orange hue and warming flavor makes it especially ideal as a Halloween cocktail.

9. Hennessy and Coke

The Hennessy and Coke cocktail is literally that: a combination of Hennessy and Coke.

It seems boring and basic, but trust that this simple pairing creates an epic flavor combination.

I’m talking oak, caramel, and vanilla blended with sweet and fizzy Coca-Cola.

You can take it to the next level by adding orange bitters. This really ups the drink and gives it even more wonderfully complex flavors. 

If you’re not a fan of bitter orange peels, though, feel free to skip it. The choice is yours!

10. Old-Fashioned 

Is there a cocktail more old-fashioned than the old-fashioned?

I’m not sure, but all I know is that no matter the decade or year, this drink has not and will never disappoint.

In this variation of the old-fashioned, though, you’ll give the drink more warmth and an extra fruity flavor with Hennessy.

This mix of cognac, demerara syrup, orange bitters, and angostura bitters creates a unique flavor combination. 

It’s sweet, fruity, sour, and a little bitter, all at the same time. It’s not a clash of flavors, though, but rather a beautiful harmony.

11. Hennessy Bramble Cocktail

The bramble is yet another classic cocktail created all the way back in the 1980s in London.

It’s a spring cocktail that combines dry gin, creme de mure (blackberry liqueur), lemon juice, sugar syrup, and crushed ice, and it’s garnished with berries and lemon.

In this jazzed-up version, a splash of fancy Hennessy is added to give the cocktail a flavorful twist.

The resulting cocktail is still fruity and refreshing, but with an extra depth of flavor.