Hennessy boasts a smooth and complex flavor. That flavor features sweet fruitiness and oakiness with floral and citrus undertones. This unique flavor combination makes it an excellent choice for adding a touch of sophistication to various drinks. Of course, the most classic way to enjoy this spirit is to drink it straight. However, if that isn’t you’re preferred method, you can always follow it with a well-chosen chaser.
To help you find the perfect pairing, this article will explore five of the best chasers for Hennessy. These options each exhibit a flavor profile that perfectly complements this favored spirit. Some will help reduce its harsh aftertaste, while others will enhance it if that’s what you enjoy.
1. Sprite or Lemon-Lime Soda
Sodas are popular chasers for nearly any spirit because of their budget-friendly cost and sweet, pleasant taste that helps mask the harsh flavor of alcohol.
When it comes to Hennessy, a few sodas pair nicely with the cognac, but the one we recommend most is Sprite or a comparable alternative.
Sprite is an overtly light and refreshing carbonated drink with citrus notes that highlight those found in Hennessy. Like most sodas, its sugar and carbonation will help reduce the typical bite you experience after downing some Hennessy.
However, instead of enduring the typical post-shot shiver, Sprite should mellow everything out for a bright and smooth drinking experience.
2. Coca cola
Coca-Cola may have been created as a medicinal drink in 1886, but it has since become ubiquitous both as a standalone refreshment and as the classic accompaniment to Hennessy.
Compared to Sprite, Coca-Cola has a darker, richer flavor profile that predominantly features vanilla and an array of spices, namely cinnamon, and nutmeg.
While its sugar, carbonation, and citrus notes help mask the strong alcoholic taste of Hennessy in much the same way as other sodas, Coca-Cola is one of the sweeter options that will neutralize the harshness of your shot more successfully.
The original soda works well with Hennessy’s caramel and vanilla tones on its own. However, if you want an even better match, you should swap it for a Vanilla Coke.
3. Tonic
Tonic might not be the first beverage that comes to mind as a chaser for this classic cognac, but it’s one you’ll want to try.
This carbonated soft drink is made with quinine, resulting in a bitter taste that can help reduce Hennessy’s sweetness without overpowering its earthy and fruity tones. It also has the effervescent quality of popular sodas but with less sugar and no caffeine.
If you aren’t a huge fan of bitter chasers but like a bright and refreshing alternative to Sprite, countless tonics are sweetened and flavored. The most common options that will best suit Hennessy are citrus flavors like lemon, lime, and orange.
4. Champagne
What if you plan to sip on something throughout the night that you can also use as a chaser for the occasional shot of Hennessy?
For the brave souls who love to double-fist spirits, we applaud you and have no better suggestion than to have a classy glass of champagne in one hand, and your Hennessy shot in another.
As we’ve mentioned before, Hennessy has a rich and smooth taste, featuring notes of vanilla, oak, and dried fruit. The sweetness and complexity of this spirit pair perfectly with the crisp and light bubbles of good champagne.
The tartness of champagne contrasts and balances the sweetness of Hennessy, resulting in a unique and delicious combination. Furthermore, champagne adds a refreshing and light finish to Hennessy, which creates a pleasant and luxurious experience.
5. Guava Juice
Anyone who’s had more than their fair share of alcoholic beverages in life is probably looking to replace the typical soda chasers with something new and exciting, and we have the perfect drink.
Add some tropical zing to your drinking experience by following your swig of Hennessy cognac with a refreshing sip of guava juice.
While this exotic fruit has the tartness commonly found in other citrus plants, it also features a rare sweetness often described as a cross between a strawberry and a pear.
This sweetness will help tone down your Hennessy while its citric notes lighten the spirit’s dark caramel flavors for a refreshing and smooth finish.
Final Thoughts
All these beverages are exceptional chasers to Hennessy cognac, but deciding which combination is best for you will depend on your ideal drinking experience.
Most options, like champagne, sprite, and guava juice, will leave you with a light and bright combination bursting with fruity, citrus tones. The others, like Coca-Cola, are deeper and richer for a smooth, spicy journey from start to finish.
For more, don’t miss Top 6 Chasers For Alcoholic Beverages.
Anne James has a wealth of experience in a wide array of interests and is an expert in quilting, cooking, gardening, camping, mixing drinks (worked as a professional bartender), and making jelly.
Anne has a professional canning business, has been featured in the local newspaper as well as on the Hershey website, and has been her family canner for decades. Anyone growing up in the South knows that there is always a person in the family who has knowledge of the “old ways,” and this is exactly what Anne is.
With over 55 years of experience in these endeavors, she brings a level of hands-on knowledge that is hard to surpass. Amazingly, she doesn’t need to reference many resources due to her vast wealth of experience. She IS the source.
Anne wants nothing more than to pass on her extensive knowledge to the next generations, whether that be family or anyone visiting her website, her YouTube channel, or preservingsweetness.com.