If you’re a connoisseur of cocktails but stick to spirits like rum, vodka, and bourbon, consider mixing up your mixed drink game with French spirits. You’ll experience new flavors, discover fresh cocktail possibilities, and even impress dinner companions with your sophisticated taste.

4 Delicious French Spirits for Cocktail Lovers

1. Cognac

This high-end brandy is made from grapes and aged for at least two years in a French oak barrel. There are strict production standards required for cognac producers, so you know you’re getting a high-quality product when choosing this spirit. Try cognac in a Sidecar, a Brandy Alexander, or an old classic like a Champagne Cocktail.  

2. Cointreau

This spirit is a refreshing mix of sweet and bitter orange peels and is a staple in a Cosmopolitan. It’s also a delicious addition to sangria. If you prefer a cocktail with brunch, consider a Breakfast Martini—a simple mix of gin, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and marmalade.

3. Absinthe

This is a strong-flavored spirit with a high alcohol content, so a little goes a long way. It was once unavailable in the US because it contains a small (and safe) amount of thujone, which is dangerous in high doses. If you’re feeling adventurous, try this anise-flavored alcohol with Champagne for a cocktail called Death in the Afternoon, made famous by Ernest Hemingway.

4. Benedictine

This herbal liqueur has a peppery yet honey-sweet taste and is delicious on its own. It’s most popular use is in the Singapore Sling, but it also works nicely as a Manhattan or a Benedictine Sour for those who’d like a twist on the whiskey classic. Although it’s rumored to have come from a recipe by Benedictine monks, it was developed by Alexandre Le Grand, a nineteenth-century wine merchant.

Enjoy the best of French cuisine with a local Hawaiian flair at PARIS.HAWAII in Honolulu, HI. With locally sourced, farm to table ingredients, innovative cocktails with French spirits, and a prix fixe menu that will awaken your taste buds, PARIS.HAWAII creates a perfectly crafted culinary experience. Make your dinner reservation today by calling (808) 212-9282  from 3 – 11 p.m., or by booking online anytime. Validated parking is available at Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach for your convenience.