Sipping in red: Hennessy presents Made for More cocktail experience

Hennessy shook things up with its Made for More experience held at the S Hotel Kingston on Tuesday night.

Local and regional brand executives, drink aficionados, socialites, creatives, and other specially invited guests brought a touch of red to the hotel’s poolside, matching the hot theme of the occasion. The versatility and taste of the cognac were put on display by mixologists Orane Edwards, Shennel Hunter, and Trevor Luke.

The dynamic trio honoured delighted guests with four signature mixes: the Hennessy berry mojito, Hennessy pineapple, Henny-rita, and Hennessy sour.

Lauren Meghoo, marketing manager of Select Brands, told Food that the Hennessy Made for More campaign was designed to demonstrate "the infinite cocktail versatility and mixability of Hennessy Very Special (VS) cognac. The campaign invites consumers to experience cognac in a whole new way. By adding a creative twist to classic cocktails like the mojito or piña colada, we showcase how Hennessy VS elevates any mix beyond the traditional neat pour or on the rocks”.

To up the mixing ante, attendees were invited to go behind a bar and participate in a Make Your Own Cocktail session. Guests could be seen interacting with flavour specialists on the scene and creating magic with just a shake or a stir to bring harmony to the right ingredients.

Once the drink was complete, guests had the opportunity to savour that experience, literally, one sip after the other. Paul Auriol, managing director, Central America and the Caribbean, Moët Hennessy, for example, made his very own mix, which he called Henny zest.

Try your hand at these signature cocktail recipes.

Hennessy pineapple

Ingredients

2oz Hennessy VS (Very Special)

2oz pineapple juice

2 dashes of bitters

1 balloon glass

Shaker (optional)

Lime/lime wedge

Ice

Directions

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake to combine and chill. Pour into a glass over fresh ice and garnish with a pineapple wedge. Or if there isn’t a shaker present, fill the glass with ice, pour in all of the ingredients, and stir to combine. Squeeze lime into the drink for an added zest. Garnish with either a pineapple or lime wedge.

Hennessy sour

Ingredients

2oz of Hennessy Very Superior Old Pale (VSOP)

1oz simple syrup

1oz lime juice

Shaker (optional)

Strainer (optional)

1 highball glass

Ice

Directions

Add all of the ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake to combine and chill. Strain and pour over fresh ice in a highball glass. Garnish with a lime wheel, or add all ingredients to a highball glass with ice. Give the glass a quick stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon zest.

Henny-rita

Ingredients

2 oz Hennessy Very Special (VS)

1 oz triple sec

1 oz lime juice

1 rocks glass

Shaker

Strainer

Ice

Directions

Add the 2 ounces of Hennessy VS, 1 ounce of triple sec, and 1 ounce of lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain and pour over fresh ice in a rocks glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.

Hennessy berry mojito

Ingredients

1½ oz of Hennessy VS

8-10 mint leaves

1 oz mixed berries syrup

1 oz lime juice

Soda water

1 Collins glass

Mixed berries

Shaker (mixing tin)

Ice

Directions

Muddle mint with fruit, mint berry syrup or mixed berries in a mixing tin. Add remaining ingredients and ice to the tin and shake. Double strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Garnish with a mint sprig and fresh berries.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com