Three New Orleans Inspired Cognac Cocktail Recipes

New Orleans Inspired Cognac Cocktails Anoushka Probyn Fashion Travel Lifestyle Blogger

I have worked with Cognac on a paid campaign, however this post is not sponsored. Cognac gifted.

Remember at the beginning of lockdown, when I decided to challenge myself to learn a new weekly cocktail? Well, it's one of the only self-betterment lockdown resolutions I've actually stuck to. There was my signature gin spritz, a makeshift fruity Summer concoction, and I've mastered a few of the basics such as the classic Margarita. This week though I'm upping the ante with not one, not two, but three new Cognac cocktail recipes. I say new, as they're new to my drinks arsenal, however these drinks are all iconic, timeless, and far older than me!

I was inspired by my trip last year to arguably one of the world's best drinking and nightlife Capitals, New Orleans. Countless top bartenders and mixologists learnt their trade in the city's hallowed bars, and have born many signature drinks with a distinctive NOLA style. French founded way back in the 1700s, French culture has permeated many parts of the New Orleans identity, from the striking architecture of the French Quarter to the extensive list of cocktails associated with the city. Therefore it's no surprise that Cognac is a key component in many of the drinks that make up New Orleans' calling card, which I decided to try my hand at recreating.

Brandy Crusta Cocktail Recipe Cognac Cocktails New Orleans Drinking Anoushka Probyn UK London Lifestyle Home Travel Fashion Blogger

French 125 Cocktail Recipe Cognac Cocktails Anoushka Probyn UK London Lifestyle Home Travel Fashion Blogger

I picked three iconic New Orleans cocktails, starting with the Sazerac, which is about as signature to the city as you can get. A NOLA take on the Old Fashioned, it can also be made with Rye Whiskey, but is traditionally a brandy drink named after the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac that served as the original ingredient. A stiff drink, this one is definitely not for the faint of heart (I mean, you rinse with absinthe!). If you like a stronger drink - or have an Old Fashioned loving boyfriend like me - this is the drink for you.

Next up, something lighter, the French 125. An alternative to the French 75 made with gin, this drink gained traction in Paris in the roaring twenties - which is enough of a reason for me, a massive 20s buff, to love it! It's a simple mix of Cognac, lemon juice and champagne (or any other sparkling wine), that makes for a great refreshing Summer drink. This one is probably my favourite because I love champagne cocktails, and the cognac makes it that bit more complex and adds a touch of warmth.

Last but certainly not least, the Brandy Crusta. The Sazerac may be New Orleans best-known invention, but the Brandy Crusta, invented in the 1850s, pre-dates it and is arguably even more quintessentially NOLA. The drink almost completely disappeared off the grid until it was revived by the current generation of bartenders. A mix of cognac and fruit-based liqueurs, its a heavier drink contrasted with a sweet sugar "crust" that gives the drink it's name.