cognac

Happy National Cognac Day! Ever since "Hennessey" was first name-dropped in hip-hop lyrics and Tim Meadows's Ladies Man started sipping Courvosier, I've been curious about cognac. With all the VSOPs and XOs, cognac can be intimidating. So if you're also wondering what all those letters on the labels mean, I've put together a little primer.

• Cognac is a brandy, but not all brandies are cognacs. The name refers to brandies produced in the Cognac region of France, made from white wine grapes that are first fermented, and then double distilled.
• From this distillation, you get a liquid called eau de vie, which is aged in oak barrels to become cognac.

All those different letters refer to how long a cognac is aged. Find out what they mean.

Champagne cocktails are a wonderful way to kick off Thanksgiving; we've experimented with all kinds, from cranberry sparklers to pomegranate-elderflower fizzes.

This unusual cocktail caught my attention because, unlike other cocktails, it's a sparkler that doesn't call for Champagne. Instead, it makes use of cognac sparkling apple cider — and what could be more seasonal than that? The result is soft, aromatic, and complex, a surprising outcome for a cocktail with only three ingredients.

This drink's not heavy on the alcohol. If you feel so inclined, fortify it by replacing sparkling apple cider with hard cider instead. To pour your guests a glass this holiday, read more.

I'll be watching this year's Academy Awards from a friend's couch, but I've found the perfect drink to sip while getting dolled up for the affair. As a fan of the original sidecar, I couldn't miss the opportunity to try out a sparkling variation of the classic. This version contains all the elements of a traditional sidecar — brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon — but a splash of seltzer and a coarse sugar-coated rim give it an ethereal lift. The beverage itself contains little sugar, so the candylike rim adds a welcome sweetness. With its gilt hue, it's the ideal tipple to serve at an Oscars viewing party. For a cocktail that's worthy of its own golden statue, keep reading.

A Summer cocktail party must have a specialty cocktail. At first I thought to serve a classic concoction like a martini or Manhattan, but when I came across this updated version of the sidecar — a drink dating back to World War I that consists of cognac, lemon juice, and orange liqueur — I knew I had to make it. The basic three ingredients are there, but the addition of pineapple juice and muddled blackberries provide a distinct and deceptively delicious taste. To ensure that I'm not making cocktails all night, I'll set the ingredients up on a table in the garden and print out the recipe on nice paper. Then, I'll encourage guests to shake their own cocktails!

I've also asked everyone to bring either beer or wine, so they'll be plenty to drink when the cocktails run out. For the recipe, read more