With so many cocktail recipes out there it’s sometimes tricky to find one that’s exciting, fun and completely unique. 

Each year on June 4th, brandy lovers and distillers celebrate Cognac Day. If you have ever had the pleasure of sipping on a Sidecar or Sazerac, then you have tasted the pure, flavorful essence of cognac. Yet, all Cognac snobs will agree that unless you have sipped on a glass of just straight cognac, you have probably never experienced the luxurious flavours of an expensive bottle.

On Friday night, TAO Downtown in New York City was transformed into an abandoned, jungle military base complete with a helicopter installation and overgrown entryway, to celebrate The Weeknd’s birthday with Rémy Martin headlining the exclusive, private party. Guests were instructed to arrive dripping in camo, urged by the guest of honor, The Weeknd, and girlfriend Bella Hadid who arrived hand in hand after posting multiple photos on Instagram of their fatigues.

While drinking is known to have its share of challenges, science has proven that a moderate intake of alcohol can have a number of surprising health benefits. Speaking of alcohol, Hennessy is among the world’s most popular brands, especially when it comes to brandies or cognac to be specific. Having mentioned cognac, Hennessy tends is a leading producer of this type of alcohol, which is the reason you know it or have heard about it regardless of which part of the world you come from. Here are some reasons behind Hennessy cognac’s award-winning status world over.

Besides knowing that it hails from France and features a flavour profile that’s smoother than an oiled-up Tom Jones (don’t picture that), the occasional bar goer won’t know much else about this premium variety of brandy people like to call Cognac.

Cognac, the Champagne of brandy, has accumulated eager devotees over the past couple of years.

Scientists at the University of Manchester have created a graphene-based sieve capable of removing colour from whisky and Cognac.

The days of a variety of flavored vodkas appear to be in the past. Today, millennials are seeking out elegant brown liquors.

Repping luxury cars, sneaker labels and everything in between, it’s safe to say that our favorite hip-hop artists are now, more than ever, also some of our most influential tastemakers.

One of the rewards of diving into the world of liquor is dipping into different cultures.