Hennessy is an alcoholic beverage known by most people around the world. Even famous music artists enjoy Hennessy mixed drinks and sing about the drink in their songs.

There is a history richer than the drink itself with some curious facts you might not have known, so keep in mind that you are drinking a very special drink next time you have a ‘Henny’.

Is Hennessy a Wine or Liquor?

Hennessy is a brand of cognac brandy. Cognac is made from distilling white wine, twice specifically, using copper pot stills and matured for 2 years in French oak barrels. Hennessy is one of the world’s strongest cognacs.

Facts About Hennessy

One of the most basic facts is that Hennessy is often mistaken for being a whiskey, rather than a cognac – a type of brandy. But there are a few more facts that might be surprising to find out.

French Cognac with Irish Origins

Although Hennessy is a world-known french cognac brand, it’s founder Richard Hennessy is actually Irish. He moved to France in the 1700s before starting the brand where he fought in the war of the Austrian succession.

A Brief ‘Medicine’ Period

During the Prohibition time in America, from 1920 to 1933 Hennessy’s success was made possible during this time by William Schiefflin who sold the cognac through his family’s drug stores.

The stores eventually became liquor stores, which was so successful, that Hennessy bought the chain in 1981.

10 Years To Earn A Title

It takes 10 years for a person to become a professional Hennessy taster, according to the brand’s master blender, Yann Fillioux. He says you need to serve 10 years as an apprentice on the tasting committee (Comité de Dégustation) before earning this prestigious title.

A True Luxury Brand

In 1971, the Hennessy brand merged with Moet-Chandon (Moet-Hennessy) which was later merged again with Louis Vuitton to form LVMH – one of the largest conglomerates that specialize in luxury goods.

Benefits of Hennessy in Mixed Drinks

Alcohol in itself isn’t healthy, as most people already know, however Cognac, specifically Hennessy is actually known to have some health benefits.

• Antioxidant absorption – Hennessy is some of the best cognacs in the world that can actually help your body with absorbing antioxidants, which are vital for heart disease prevention
• Protects you from diabetes type 2 and gallstones – Cognac in general is known to reduce your risk of diabetes type 2 and gallstones, however, this is only true if you consume it in moderation, or else it might have other adverse health effects.
• Reducing blood clots – If you have between 7-10 glasses of Hennessy a week, you can lower the risk for blood clots, since it helps to thin your blood.

Of course, Hennessy is not a miracle elixir. You should drink with caution and consult your doctor if you have health conditions that are sensitive to alcohol. However, when you’re out having a drink, try having a Hennessy instead.

Juices That Mix Well With Hennessy

Hennessy, like all other cognacs, is sweet to begin with, but not in the way some might expect when they first try it – so if you’d like to sweeten it up, fruit juice works very well with cognac.

• Pineapple Juice – Tropical fruit juice like pineapple blends very well with Hennessy, pineapple juice is some of the sweetest juices, so adding a splash of lemon juice will balance it out.
• Apple Juice – Apple juice is unexpectedly good when mixed with Hennessy, make sure you have a high-quality apple juice, and if you’re feeling adventurous, add a dash of cinnamon for a fall-inspired cocktail.
• Lemon Juice – A little goes a long way, simply adding a splash of lemon juice with Hennessy over ice, takes the cognac to another level. Add some soda water if you’re looking for a slightly diluted drink.
• Guava Juice – Much like pineapple juice, this tropical fruit juice mixed with Hennessy will take you on a summer vacation no matter what season you’re in! Serve with a lime wedge.

Sodas That Mix Well With Hennessy

You might want to lighten your drink a bit by diluting it with sodas. Some flavors work better than others so here are a few ideas for sodas that mix well with Hennessy.

• Ginger ale – Spice up your cognac with a splash of ginger ale, to create a spicy and exotic drink.

• Coca Cola – When two classics come together, it usually makes for a wonderful drink, Hennessy mixed with cola is a delightful sweet drink – if you’d like to cut through the sweetness, throw in a slice of lemon

• Tonic Water – Try mixing your Hennessy with some Indian or elderflower tonic water for a drink that complements the fruity flavors of Hennessy cognac.

• Plain Soda Water – Although opinions differ on whether soda waterfalls under the soda category, it’s a great fizzy addition to your Hennesy Cognac if you want a gentle twist on your drink. Add a splash of lemon juice or a lemon wedge if you’d like.

How to Make Hennything Is Possible

Making great Hennessy mixed drinks isn’t just for experienced bartenders or mixologists. There are some flavorful cocktails that are somewhat easy to prepare at home, with ingredients readily found at any local grocer.

Tipsy Bartender

This cocktail is a treat to the tastebuds and eyes, since it boasts 2 colorful layers packed with flavor.

Layer 1:

• 1 1/2 oz. (45 ml) Hennessy
• 1 oz. (30 ml) Triple Sec
• 2 oz. (60 ml) Orange Juice
• 1 oz. (30 ml) Pineapple Juice

Layer 2:

• 1 1/2 oz. (45 ml) Hennessy
• 1 oz. (30 ml) Sweet Revenge
• 1 oz. (30 ml) Strawberry Daiquiri Mix
• 3 oz. (90 ml) Fruit Punch

Garnish (optional):

• 1 Hennessy Mini Bottle
• Orange Slice
• Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

1. Blend layer one’s ingredients with some ice together until smooth
2. Blend layer two’s ingredients separately from the first layer with some ice until smooth
3. Layer the two different colors into your favorite glass, alternating between the colors as you go.
4. Top with a cherry, orange slice and an opened mini bottle of Hennessy if you’d like.

15 Best Hennessy Mixed Drinks Recipes

Hennessy is enjoyed as is, over the rocks, or simply with a slice of lemon for most. But there are far more adventurous recipes that include this luxurious cognac for you to try.

1. Holiday Stinger

Similar to its precursor, the stinger, the holiday stinger mixes a creamy liqueur and cognac to form a delightful drink to enjoy in the holiday season. LiqCulture has an easy-to-follow recipe, of course, you should use Hennessy as your preferred cognac though.

2. Hennessy Mule Cocktail

Hennessy themselves released the recipe on their website. It is a basic blend of Hennessy VS, ginger ale, and ginger slices. The simple drink tastes extraordinary, and you probably have the ingredients close by, go on, try it.

3. Mulled Wine Cocktail

Mulled wine is a hot drink best enjoyed in winter. Jamie made their original recipe with actual wine but recommends cognac for a stronger drink. Another name for this recipe is a Vin Chaud if you add Grand Marnier to the mix.

4. Sidecar

Chilled Magazine shows us how to make one of the most iconic cognac drinks in the world, and the only way to make it the best is if you use Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège mixed in the drink.

They mix Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège, Mardier, lemon juice, and some simple syrup to create the perfect sidecar.

5. Sazerac

Mixologist Aaron Bird invented this drink in 1850 and named it after a Louisiana bar, which Hennessy published the recipe on their website. He mixed bitters, Hennessy, and absinthe among the ingredients to create the drink. Be careful, it packs a punch.

6. Stinger

Liquor.com shows you how to make them perfectly suited for a nightcap by the fans of this drink. Who knew that Hennessy and white crème de menthe could make for such a delicious and palatable drink?

7. Vieux Carre

Woody, dry, and slightly difficult to pronounce, the recipe by Hennessy proves to be quite the enticing cocktail to order. It has a handful of ingredients that work together to form this artsy drink so better have a mixologist make this one for you

8. Old Fashioned

The original version of this drink called for whiskey, not cognac – but not to worry, the recipe by Hennessy lives up to its original version’s standards, if not out-shining it. Presented with a twist of orange to top off the bitters-Hennessy blend, you can’t go wrong with this one.

9. Hennessy Margarita

Fans of tequila, don’t stress – ElicitFolio will show you how to make the Hennessy version of the tried and true cocktail, the margarita, without disappointment. Don’t omit your tequila, add a splash of Hennessy into the mix and sit back to let the flavors tell the story.

10. French 75

If you’re craving Hennessy for breakfast, why not mix it with the classic breakfast drink, champagne? You’re in good hands as EatOut provides you with a great recipe for a french 75.

11. Brandy Manhattan

ACoupleCooks claim that the brandy version is even better than the original manhattan cocktail, and you might agree if you follow their recipe. Their top choice for the brandy manhattan is cognac, and what better cognac to use than Hennessy.

12. The Jimmie Roosevelt

Claire Saffitz from Bon Appetit shows us how this sugary sweet drink is made, but beware, you might not realize how strong this drink is, since it seems dainty with the sugar cube and luxurious bubbles. A perfect after-meal drink as a replacement for dessert.

13. Between The Sheets

Don’t let the provocative name fool you and deter you from trying this yummy drink. ACoupleCooks shows us how to make and enjoy this drink which is simply a spin-off of a Sidecar with an extra splash of rum.

14. French Connection

Named after a popular film, this stunning drink is made with Cognac and Amaretto. CreativeCulinary has a great recipe and leads you to believe maybe the connection lies in the mixture of french cognac with an Italian liqueur.

15. Jack-O’-Lantern

TheSpruceEats penned down a wonderful recipe for this Halloween-inspired drink. It’s pleasantly deep and easily enjoyed, and topping it off with a lemon slice makes it look like a pumpkin in a glass.

How To Store Hennessy

Alcohol can be stored indefinitely since it won’t go bad. However, in order to preserve its flavor, and avoid it evaporating slowly after it has been opened, store the bottle in a cool dark place with the cap tightly closed. The same goes for a bottle that has not been opened yet.

Hennessy Mixed Drinks FAQ

Why is Hennessy So Popular?

Hennessy is known to be the gentleman’s drink and has always been a favorite. But when the company employed an African-American vice president, it opened up the cultural doors for the brand.

Soon well-known rappers like Tupac referenced the brand in their songs and caused the popularity of the drink to soar. Hennessy is now named in over 1,000 songs.

How Much Hennessy Will Get You Drunk?

Everyone’s body will react differently to alcohol. There are many factors contributing to how quickly or slowly one would get drunk. Some of those factors include weight, height, and BMI.

Knowing these details will help you be able to estimate how many shots of Hennessy you would need to drink to get drunk.

Hennessy is rather strong at 40% ABV, meaning one 1.5-ounce shot will get you as drunk as one can of 12-ounce beer would. So on average, about 5 shots of Hennessy would get most people drunk.

Do You Put Hennessy in the Freezer?

You can put Hennessy in your freezer if you keep it above 0 degrees Fahrenheit, this won’t cause the alcohol to freeze but do note, that if you keep it in the freezer for too long it will lose some of its flavor and complexity.

How Long Can You Keep an Open Bottle of Hennessy?

Technically, since it is alcohol, Hennessy won’t spoil or go bad. But if you keep an open bottle of Hennessy around, you might notice after about 6 months or so, the flavor will become dull and lack complexity.

Try to store the bottle in a cool dark place with the lid tightly closed.

Hennessy Mixed Drinks Conclusion

Hennessy is a luxurious cognac brandy with Irish descents and a rich history in France. So whether you prefer Hennessy on the rocks or a few glasses of Hennessy mixed drinks, you will be sure to know that you are having a sip of one of the finest cognacs anyone can find.