Napoléon Recipe
bottle of hennessy vsop cognac & two bottles of veuve clicquot brut champagne
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Ingredients
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Liquor & Champagne
Serving & Garnish
Method
Chill & Prepare
Chill champagne
Place the two bottles of Veuve Clicquot Brut in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or in an ice bucket with equal parts ice and water for 20–30 minutes until well chilled (around 45°F / 7°C).
Chill cognac serving area
Cognac is traditionally served slightly below room temperature. Keep the Hennessy VSOP at room temperature in a cool, dark place. Do not refrigerate the cognac bottle. Place an ice bucket or cooler nearby for the champagne and for serving glasses if desired.
Prepare glassware
Arrange 6 clean champagne flutes. If you prefer, chill the flutes briefly in the refrigerator or rest them in the ice bucket for 5–10 minutes just before serving.
Opening & Pouring
Open the champagne
Remove foil and loosen the wire cage while keeping your thumb on the cork. Warm the bottle neck slightly with a warm towel, hold the bottle at a 45° angle away from people and valuable items, grip the cork, and twist the bottle slowly to ease the cork out with a soft pop. Pour slowly to minimize foam.
Pour the champagne
Tilt the flute slightly and pour the Veuve Clicquot gently down the side to preserve bubbles. Fill each flute about two-thirds full (roughly 4–5 oz / 120–150 ml per flute). Use both bottles to serve up to 12 smaller pours or 6 fuller pours depending on guest preference.
Serve the cognac
Pour Hennessy VSOP into small tulip or snifter glasses (if available) for sipping. Serve 1–1.5 oz (30–45 ml) per person. If offering cognac alongside champagne, present the cognac in a decanter or the original bottle with label visible.
Presentation & Drinking Suggestions
Place the champagne flutes on a tray and present the Hennessy VSOP bottle next to the chilled Veuve Clicquot bottles and the ice bucket. Suggest guests start with a flute of Champagne to cleanse the palate, then enjoy a small sip of Hennessy VSOP neat to appreciate its aromas and flavors. Alternate between sips of champagne and cognac to enjoy contrasts of effervescence and rich cognac depth.
Refill flutes as desired. Keep the remaining Champagne chilled in the ice bucket between pours. Recork and store any unfinished Hennessy VSOP upright in a cool, dark place.