The art of drinking cognac on the rocks

Cognac is a very versatile drink. It may be drunk neat, over ice or diluted with a little water. It can be mixed with quality mixers, such as soda or traditional lemonade to make a long drink, or used to make a cognac cocktail. For a range of Martell cocktails to try, see our cocktails section.

Yes, you can mix cognac with other alcohols, especially as part of a mixed drink such as a champagne and cognac cocktail. Consult our recipe pages for audacious and delicious cocktails, including the Cashew Dream with Martell Blue Swift and Kahlua, or the fruity and refreshing Martell Chapman with Martell Blue Swift and bitters.

Whether you are seeking an original Martell cognac cocktail recipe, or to spice things up with a unique twist, there are many easy cocktails using cognac that can be made in less than 5 minutes.

The Ginger Spice is an easy-to-make cognac cocktail that brings out the delicious fruit and spice aromas of Martell VS cognac. The Julep is an American summer cocktail favourite, while the Robust Coffee made with Martell VSOP is an excellent after-dinner cocktail. Or why not try a Swift Old Fashioned, or Float with Martell VS? Discover our easy cocktails using cognac.

Some of the best cocktails with cognac can be made at home, thanks to these exclusive recipes made with Martell.

Find recipes for simple cognac cocktails, alongside veritable classics and more complex innovations created by master mixologists.

These include the Twisted Sidecar. Made with Martell Noblige cognac, triple sec and lemon juice, this sidecar cocktail recipe adds a twist with the addition of Italian red bitters and pomegranate juice.

Fruity and refreshing, it’s hard to go past a Derby cocktail with cognac. Take Martell VSOP cognac, blackberry juice and honey syrup, add a dash of orange bitters and grapefruit to garnish.

Then there is the classic Summer Collins cocktail with cognac. Martell’s recipe calls for Martell VS, lemon juice and maple syrup, with slices of fresh peach and a splash of soda water.

While cognac can be enjoyed in countless ways, one of the most common is to serve it on ice.
When cognac is served on ice, it is said to be ‘on the rocks’. The ice gradually melts in the glass, warming and diluting the cognac to create an ever-changing consumption experience.