Vibrant Latinx-Inspired Cocktails To Drink During Hispanic Heritage Month

We are halfway through Hispanic Heritage Month, and we have been celebrating, representing, and honoring our culture by showcasing on a big scale what makes us unique. Our diversity, our accents, our hard-working people, our rhythms and folklore, the foods, and traditional drinks are among the things we proudly pass down generation to generation.

Hispanic and Latinx people respect the traditions and understand how we can add a twist to everything we do. Hennessy also wants to celebrate the rich culture, diversity, and influence of our communities by sharing vibrant, reimagined classic cocktails inspired by traditional Latin ingredients and favorite festive drinks.

The first cocktail is a Tepache Highball. The Tepache has its origins in Mexico and is a fermented beverage made from the peel and the rind of pineapples. The French cognac distiller created a version of this sustainable cocktail commonly infused with delightful spices.

Below you also will be able to find how to create a Los Reyes Old Fashioned. A reimagined iconic Old Fashioned cocktail with a rich, fruit-forward Ponche Navideño syrup, inspired by the traditional Mexican punch, plus the beloved Coquito. The Hennessy Coquito celebrates the classic, smooth coconut cocktail from Puerto Rico enjoyed by family and friends at holiday gatherings.

Salud!

3 Classic Cocktails Inspired By Traditional Latin Ingredients

Tepache Highball

Tepache is a fermented pineapple drink that’s seeing a surge in popularity due to its simplicity and sustainability, using rinds that would otherwise go to waste. With the vibrant flavor of pineapple, and infused with sweet brown sugar and cinnamon, tepache and the subtle spice of Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège yield a surprisingly light and refreshing cocktail.

1.5 oz Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Cognac

4 oz tepache*

2-3 dashes bitters

Garnish: Pineapple wedge

Glass: Collins

Method: Add all ingredients to a shaker tin with ice and shake; strain over ice into a Collins glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.

*Tepache

1 pineapple

1 cup brown sugar

3 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

2 liters water

Rinse pineapple and using a sharp knife, cut the peel and slice or chop the pineapple pulp. In a large glass pitcher, combine pineapple peels, sugar, cinnamon stick, cloves, and 2 liters of water. Cover the container with a cheesecloth to allow the brew to breathe and leave in a warm spot for approximately 24 hours.

With a wooden spoon, remove the white foam formed on top of the liquid. Loosely cover again and rest for another 24 hours. Strain the liquid and transport to a new pitcher; refrigerate to allow the mixture to cool before serving.

Los Reyes Old Fashioned

With its smooth and elegant finish, this bold cocktail is inspired by Mexican world champion boxer & Hennessy ambassador, Canelo Álvarez. The rich flavors of fruit, cinnamon, and spice draw inspiration from Ponche Navideño, a traditional Mexican punch. Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège is the perfect balance of red fruit with subtle barrel spice, complimenting a flavorful Ponche Navideño syrup for a refreshing take on an Old Fashioned.

2 oz Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Cognac

¼ oz Ponche Navideño syrup* (cinnamon or spice syrup)

Garnish: Lemon twist, dehydrated apple wedge

Glass: Rocks

Method: Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, stir to chill, strain into a rocks glass over a large cube. Garnish with a lemon twist and dehydrated apple wedge.

* Ponche Navideño Syrup

2 cups brown sugar

4 cups of water

Combine over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Once boiling, add the following and reduce to a simmer:

¼ cup walnuts

¼ cup chopped prunes

½ cup raisins

Three hibiscus tea bags

Two cubes chopped red apple

1 whole orange peel

6 cloves

4 cinnamon sticks

Reduce by 1/3rd, remove from heat and strain to remove spices and fruit. Place syrup into a container and refrigerate.

Hennessy Coquito

A traditional holiday libation originated in Puerto Rico, Coquito may translate in Spanish to “little coconut,” but this recipe is big on flavor. Hennessy V.S, with its spice and deep fruit notes, perfectly marries sweetness and spice for a rich, modern take on a timeless classic.

12 oz Hennessy V.S Cognac

14 oz sweetened condensed milk

16 oz coconut milk

12 oz evaporated milk

½ tsp cinnamon powder

¼ tsp clove powder

¼ tsp nutmeg powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

Garnish: Cinnamon Stick

Glass: Rocks

Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Immediately transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate until cold. When ready to serve, pour over ice into a rocks glass, garnish with a cinnamon stick.