Cognac High BallOur favorite in-flight cocktail.

Kellie Thorn is the beverage ­director for Hugh Acheson’s Atlanta restaurants, Empire State South and By George. She’s also refreshingly down-to-earth. When Thorn does find herself sky-high, she orders the youngest cognac very little money can buy (usually a VS, or “very ­special” blend) and combines it with ­standard-issue apple juice. “I call this my airplane drink, but it’s also among my most irreverent mixes,” Thorn says. “The sweet juice softens the sharp edges of the young brandy.”

Equipment


  • Serves

    serves 1

  • Time

    5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. VS cognac (such as Camus Elegance VS or Deau VS)
  • 3 oz. apple juice
  • Splash of soda water or dry sparkling wine (optional)

Instructions

Step 1

Fill a rocks glass (or plastic cup) with ice, add the cognac and apple juice, and stir to combine. Top with soda water or sparkling wine (if desired) and serve.
  1. Fill a rocks glass (or plastic cup) with ice, add the cognac and apple juice, and stir to combine. Top with soda water or sparkling wine (if desired) and serve.
Drinks

Cognac High Ball

Our favorite in-flight cocktail.

  • Serves

    serves 1

  • Time

    5 minutes

Cognac and Apple Juice
JON WHITTLE

By Kellie Thorn


Published on October 15, 2020

Kellie Thorn is the beverage ­director for Hugh Acheson’s Atlanta restaurants, Empire State South and By George. She’s also refreshingly down-to-earth. When Thorn does find herself sky-high, she orders the youngest cognac very little money can buy (usually a VS, or “very ­special” blend) and combines it with ­standard-issue apple juice. “I call this my airplane drink, but it’s also among my most irreverent mixes,” Thorn says. “The sweet juice softens the sharp edges of the young brandy.”

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. VS cognac (such as Camus Elegance VS or Deau VS)
  • 3 oz. apple juice
  • Splash of soda water or dry sparkling wine (optional)

Instructions

Step 1

Fill a rocks glass (or plastic cup) with ice, add the cognac and apple juice, and stir to combine. Top with soda water or sparkling wine (if desired) and serve.
  1. Fill a rocks glass (or plastic cup) with ice, add the cognac and apple juice, and stir to combine. Top with soda water or sparkling wine (if desired) and serve.


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