Photo credit: @CognacUSA on Instagram — *Photo credit: @Highproofpreacher on Instagram*

With summer officially winding down and the fall season coming into full gear, it’s time to switch out your evening gin and tonic for something with a little more heft. Below are three summer favorites that have been “autumnized,” as I like to say, with the addition of cognac, one of France’s most famous liquors.

What is Cognac? Simply put, cognac is a specific type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France. It is made from twice-distilled white wine that is then aged in French barrels for at least two years. Learn more about Cognac at www.cognac.fr.

Why Cognac Cocktails? With a multitude of aromas and flavors, cognac is a superb spirit to sip on its own, but it also lends itself well to cocktails. A jiggerful of cognac adds warmth and a robust taste to mixed drinks — just what we need as we head into cool fall nights.

And cognac cocktails aren’t just another new trendy libation either. Dale Degroff, master mixologist and author of The Essential Cocktail and The Craft of the Cocktail says that since the beginning of the 19th century, cognac has been an extremely popular ingredient in mixed drinks. “One reason for the enduring popularity of cognac libations,” says Degroff, “is that the spirit mixes so well with fruit.” (liquor.com). Today, classics like the Sidecar and French 75, both made with lemon juice, remain favorites of cocktail lovers worldwide.

What Kind of Cognac Should Be Used in Cocktails? Cognac is labelled according to the time it spends resting in French oak barrels. VS (Very Special) cognacs are required to age a minimum of two years, VSOP (Very Superior Old Pale) 4 years, Napoléon 6 years, and XO 10 years. Most cognacs are aged much longer, however, since with aging comes increased flavor and complexity.

Yet long-aged, fine cognac isn’t necessarily what you want to mix with your pineapple juice. Save your beautiful XO cognac to sip neat, rather than in a cocktail, so you’ll be able to appreciate all its subtle flavors. For mixed drinks, I recommend using VS or VSOP, both lighter and more floral in style than richer, more complex Napoléon or XO.

Cognac “G&T”

Cognac adds a nice weighty punch to a drink that’s typically associated with hot summer days, making it a perfect transition into the wool sweater season. With the substitution of cognac for gin, you can keep that zesty lime flavor going, long after your bikini has been retired for the season.

Serves 2

Ingredients

4 oz VS or VSOP cognac

8 to 10 oz tonic water (look for Fever Tree, Q, or Schweppes)

2 lime wedges

Instructions

1) Fill a highball glass with ice cubes. Pour in cognac, and top with tonic water. Stir gently.

2) Squeeze juice from lime into drink, and garnish with lime.

Foxy Angels’ Splash

Lillet on the rocks with a twist of orange is a classic and refreshing summertime drink. Why not make it a bit more fall and winter-friendly with the addition of soul-warming cognac with a hint of pungent rosemary?

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons honey

3 oz lillet blanc

3 oz VSOP cognac

2 teaspoons honey water (made by a 1:1 combination of honey and warm water)

6 drops Bittermens Orange Cream Citrate

1 tablespoon lemon juice

4 slices of lemon

3 sprigs rosemary

Instructions

1) Mix together sugar and rosemary in a small, shallow dish. Using your finger, coat rims of two 8-ounce tumblers with honey and immediately press the rims into sugar to coat. Set aside.

2) In a large glass or cocktail shaker stir together Lillet, cognac, honey water, orange bitters and lemon juice. Add ice to tumblers and fill with cocktail mixture. Garnish each with two lemon slices and a sprig of rosemary and serve.

Autumn Sangria Sizzler

A refreshing glass of sangria on a hot day is the perfect libation at the pool or beach. Take the drink inside with a fall version that uses cognac rather than the customary simple type of brandy.

Tip: Add whatever fruits you have on hand, such as pears, berries, grapes, pineapple, kiwi, etc.

Serves 8

Ingredients

*Photo credIt: @paragastroteka on Instagram*

1 small lemon or lime, halved and sliced (I like to use half of each)

1 orange, quartered and sliced

1 small apple, cored and chopped into bite-size pieces

2 tablespoons sugar

3/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

1 bottle fruity red wine (such as Beaujolais or Southern Rhône)

1/3 cup VS or VSOP cognac

1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Grand Marnier)

Ice

Optional bubbles: seltzer or sparkling water (I prefer not to use bubbles, but many people like the addition of something fizzy).

Instructions

1) In a large pitcher or bowl, mix the sugar with the lemon and/or lime slices and muddle with the back of a wooden spoon. Add the remaining ingredients except the bubbles and ice.

2) Chill several hours or overnight. Just before serving, stir in ice, and seltzer or club soda, if using.