The Charente, considered one of France’s most beautiful waterways, carves its way through Cognac’s vineyards, spilling into the Atlantic. In the center of the Cognac region, the namesake town was one of the main river ports exporting local brandy, renamed cognac in the early 19th century.
From day one in Cognac, you’ll quickly get familiar with “The Big Four”: Hennessy, Martell, Rémy Martin and Courvoisier. Like the major champagne houses, these producers offer estate visits and cellar tours, where you’ll learn about things like Angels’ Share, the cognac that evaporates from casks, causing a type of fungus that’s blackened the walls of the town’s historic buildings.
Despite the spirit’s centuries-old history in France, and unlike its neighbor Bordeaux, more than 97% of cognac is exported to China, the U.S. and other parts of Europe. It’s been served in cocktail version since 1800, poured into a mint julep stateside or mixed as a Cognac Collins in the U.K.
The French may not be huge cognac consumers, but the eaux-de-vie is more than celebrated in its birthplace, Cognac. Here, you’ll find panoramic rooftop bars, riverside terraces and speakeasy-style lounges serving up the celebrated French spirit. These are the five best spots to sip cognac on your next visit.
Bar Louise
Considered Cognac’s first craft cocktail bar, the laid-back Bar Louise is conveniently located in the center of town, sharing a 19th-century-era residence with Hôtel François Premier. Take a seat at the bar and order one of the cognac-focused cocktails that blends unexpected yet refreshing flavors such as lemon zest, sea pickles and shrub cider vinegar, or sip your way around the region sampling a selection of cognacs served neat in taster’s glasses.
Le Lys
In the Gothic and Renaissance-style Château de Cognac, where future king François I was born, Le Lys unfolds on a rooftop terrace overlooking the Charente. The summertime sunset favorite shows off some of the best views over the river and serves cocktails mixed exclusively with the château’s cognacs: Baron Otard and D’USSÉ.
Bar Luciole owner and mixologist Guillaume Le Dorner cut his teeth at London’s 69 Colebrooke Row, and he’s brought the spot’s innovative take on cocktails to the banks of the Charente. Lounge on leather chesterfields inside the British-inspired, industrial-chic bar or on the waterfront terrace while sampling classic and whimsical creations. Bar Luciole offers more than 200 cognac references. Although you can’t go wrong with sipping the spirit neat, this is a cocktail destination, so take your pick of concoctions like the Butter Kir Royal with brandy butter and champagne, or the Apple Blazer, a cognac blended with apple cider reduction and cinnamon.
Indigo by Martell
The seasonal pop-up on the rooftop of the historic, 1920s-era Gâtehouse tower at 300-year-old Martell, one of the oldest leading cognac producers, is a must-visit on a trip to Cognac. Running from late May to the end of September, Indigo by Martell’s terrace affords sweeping views of the city’s historic center and Charente River and offers a menu of cocktails and mocktails designed by Martell Master Mixologist Rémy Savage.
Expect a selection of Martell-infused classic cocktails like an old fashioned or Negroni; signatures like the Swift Sour, which is a blend of Martell Blue Swift, yuzu liqueur, lemon juice and egg white; and shareable selections like Tommy’s Margarita or mai tai.
1838 at Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa
Chais Monnet was the biggest trading house in Cognac before 1850, thanks to its aging and unloading cellar sitting right along the river. Cognac’s first luxury hotel, the 2018-opened property has modern, glass-encased buildings that house 92 rooms and nine apartments. There’s a 21st-century touch given to 100-year-old cellars. Ancient wooden casks (or foudres) that once stored cognac have been renovated by a local tonnellerie (cooperage) and now form the backdrop of the renowned eatery Les Foudres.
The former cooperage has also been converted into Jazz Bar Le 1838, a space driving the trend of cognac-based cocktails. Here, you’ll find 300 cognac references from over 40 distilleries served in drinks that blend everything from housemade cucumber and rosemary to yellow peach infusion and Jamaican black pepper blend.
