As temperatures fall, fruity concoctions are giving way to richer, bolder cocktails featuring cognac. While it originated in France in the 15^th century as a brandy aperitif, it soon emerged as an integral ingredient of such foundational tipples such as the Sazerac and the Sidecar. Inventive bartenders across the country today not only work with different expressions of the spirit but also open up their clientele’s minds with classic and updated libations.

Arnaud’s French 75, New Orleans

As one would expect from the birthplace of the Sazerac, the French Quarter offers many places presenting cognacs in varied expressions and formats. However, as this beloved spot has been around for more than a century and boasts a James Beard award-winning bar program, it should top a connoisseur’s list of where to enjoy a Sazerac or its elevated French 75 with Courvoisier VS.

Coquette © Josh Jamison

Coquette, Boston, Massachusetts

While Coquette is known for its prolific selection of fine European spirits, management decided to make cognac its house spirit. The permanent cocktail list includes an upgraded espresso martini.

“Cognac and sherry are a great combo, [and we] have created a few different riffs including Sidecars, Stingers and a Vieux-Carre,” said Ray Tremblay, beverage director for parent company COJE Management Group. “We have found the most success with our house espresso martini with cognac as the base. The sweet notes from the brandy and the baking spice from the maturation blend seamlessly with the berry and toasted notes of coffee.”

© Mike Ando Photography

Bernard’s at The Waldorf Astoria, Chicago

Bernard’s nestles inside one of the city’s most luxurious hotels yet reigns as a beloved local haunt for serious cognac enthusiasts. Its Sidecar is one of its cocktail menu’s star selections, with a foundation of Rémy Martin 1738 Accord Royal. Though the bar boasts an extensive array of premium brown spirits, cognacs from producers great and small (Courvoisier, Hennessy V.S.O.P, Hennessy X.O, Hennessy Paradis Imperial, Remy Martin V.S.O.P, Louis XIII and Sazerac De Forge & Fils) can be sipped neat, on the rocks or in a flight. Bernard’s also features an exclusive offering, Bhakta Armagnac, one of the first grape-distilled cousins to the cognac variety. It is sweet, fruit-forward and bears a slight smokiness from its aging process.

Jane Jane, Washington, D.C.

Those searching for something new and different with cognac will find it at this contemporary, Southern-style living room in the Logan Circle neighborhood.  Here owner/bartender J.P. Sabatier holds court with originals such as the Silk Chiffon, Japanese Cocktail and Harmony.

© Donald Massingale III

Honorable Mention:  Homemakers Bar, Cincinnati

With lower-proof cocktails on the rise, bar manager Rachel Flores spins a Sangria Spritz (sangria-cognac, berries, white wine and soda) to satisfy cognac cravings with less guilt. It delivers the complex nuances of cognac in a fresh, breezy format that goes down easy.