In Russia, lemon is traditionally served with cognac. However, the tasters believe that it is hardly possible to come up with the worst accompaniment, because the bright taste of lemon interrupts the taste and smell of the drink itself.
It is believed that the tradition of eating cognac with lemon was laid by Nicholas II, but it is not known for certain what exactly prompted the emperor to take this step, because the combination with lemon does not allow the drink to fully reveal itself. True connoisseurs of cognac consume it without a snack, because this is the only way to taste the full bouquet of aromas and tastes that have been accumulating in the "elixir of the gods" for years.
In the homeland of cognac, in France, it is used by preheating a glass with a drink in the palms of your hands, in small sips, without a snack. A glass of cognac is often accompanied by a cup of coffee, which is drunk before cognac and a cigar, which is smoked after. This order is established by the rule of three "C": coffee, cognac, cigar (Cafe, Cognac, Cigare). However, it is possible to recommend following this rule only if you plan to drink 50-100 grams of cognac. During the feast, you can pick up more substantial snacks for this drink.
The same French, for example, offer pate to cognac, rabbit pate is considered a particularly successful snack. Hard cheeses are perfect. Real gourmets eat cognac with cheese and honey (pieces of cheese are dipped in a dish with warmed honey). Nuts can also be a good snack for cognac. From the second courses with cognac, lean meat (veal) and poultry go well. The exquisite aroma of the drink will help you appreciate the seafood. In addition to traditional oysters and scallops, you can choose salted salmon and red caviar as an appetizer.
For those with a sweet tooth, snacks such as dark chocolate, light grapes, nut soufflés will be appreciated. The cognac is washed down with the juice of light grape varieties or mineral water without gas.
Whatever the recommendations of specialists for tasting spirits, when choosing a snack for cognac, you should, first of all, rely on your taste and preferences and habits of your guests.
