Esquire Sips: how to make an unbeatable Hennessy highball

You know your cocktail order, but can you replicate it at home? Here, the editors of Esquire share five of their favourite summer cocktail recipes, beginning with an unbeatable Hennessy highball

By Amy Campbell

Published: Dec 2, 2024

WHEN SERVED AT a bar, with a perfect garnish and ice cubes frozen into stylish shapes, cocktails can come off as complicated. But save for something like a sour, the majority of your favourite cocktails are surprisingly easy to make. Take a martini for example: two ingredients, plus a lemon rind or an olive, depending on whether you like it dirty or dry. You’d also be surprised just how many you can make without a shaker. The Bond way isn’t the only way: sometimes, all your drink needs is a classy stir.

With summer officially upon us, and Christmas drinks calling from every corner of our calendars, we’ve put together a collection of the best summer cocktail recipes, so that you can impress your friends and family when entertaining at home.

First up? A highball with a base of Hennessy VS. Standing for ‘very special’, VS is one of the most popular cognacs in the world, offering toasted, fruity notes, and round, robust flavours which pair perfectly with soda, lemon and honey. Big round ice cubes are optional, but highly recommended, while a tall, elegant glass is non-negotiable.

Below, you’ll find all the tips and tricks you need to become your circle’s unofficial Hennessy highball mixologist this summer. Cheers to that.