A Guide to French Spirits

In this guide about French spirits, we’ll explore everything from world-renowned Cognac houses like Hennessy and Courvoisier, to regionally treasured Calvados and Armagnac, as well as a wide array of French liqueurs. Enjoyed all around the world, they’re sipped neat as a refined aperitif or digestif and mixed into classic and modern cocktails.

Cognac

Cognac is a type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of western France, made from white grapes. It’s double-distilled in copper pot stills and aged in French oak barrels. To be officially labelled as Cognac, it must meet strict regulations.

Armagnac

Armagnac can sometimes be overshadowed by Cognac. Produced in the Gascony region, using a variety of grapes, Armagnac is only distilled once, which helps retain more flavour and complexity. Compared to Cognac it offers a deep, earthier character.

Calvados

Calvados is a unique French spirit distilled from apples (and sometimes pears) in Normandy. Like a wine, it is quite expressive of the area it’s grown and can age for further complexity.

Eaux-de-Vie

Eaux-de-Vie is a clear, unnamed fruit brandy made from fermented fruit like pear, cherry, yellow plum, and raspberry. They’re typically served as digestifs and are especially popular in the regions of Alsace and the Franche-Comté.

Grey Goose

This premium vodka proudly hails from France. Created in the 1990s by François Thibault, in the Cognac region, Grey Goose is a smooth, clean spirit, used in classic cocktails like the Martini and Espresso Martini.

French Liqueurs

Bitter, sweet, and a little herbal, France makes a range of liqueurs, which are popular as short sippers, perhaps over ice, but are most commonly used in cocktails in the UK.

Chartreuse is a vibrant green or yellow liqueur, made with 130 herbs, plants and flowers. It’s famously used in the cocktail, Last Word, which combines green Chartreuse with gin, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice.

St-Germain is a modern French liqueur, bursting with elderflower and delicate floral notes. Created in 2007 it has fast gained popularity and is becoming a staple in bars around the world. Look out for it in cocktails like Germain Spritz and French 75.

Bénédictine is a sweet, spiced herbal liqueur, often used in cocktails like Vieux Carré - a classic New Orleans cocktail, made with rye whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine, and bitters.

Cointreau is a clear and sweet orange liqueur. It’s often used in Margarita and Cosmopolitan cocktails.

Grand Marnier is a blend of Cognac and bitter orange liqueur. It’s often used in deserts but also in classic cocktails, like the Dubliner and Figgy Smalls.

From the refined elegance of Hennessy Cognac to the herbaceous kick of Chartreuse, French spirits are often based on hundreds-of-years-old recipes. They offer variety, diversity, and something exciting to sip before or after a meal. Discover our great selection of French spirits, online and in-store now.