I’ve had just about every version of Hennessy ever made, so I was really excited when they launched a new brand of cognac called Hennessy Black. It comes in a sleek, black lacquered bottle with silver detail, and even if it tasted gross, you’d want to order a bottle in a club. Except it doesn’t, so, hooray!

Check out the recipe for Henny Black’s “Royale” cocktail, and make one for you and your friends.

HENNESSY BLACK ROYALE

1 part Hennessy Black

4 parts demi-sec champagne

1 brown sugar cube or 1/4 part simple syrup

lemon zest

• pour ingredients and serve over ice (yes, it’s THAT easy)

In the mood for a summer drink? Try the Absolut Pearfection!

But it’s still spring, so try THIS!

I don’t know about you, but it’s still Inauguration Celebration 2009 to me. I planned on cutting the partying out once I got back from DC, but it seems I just can’t stop going too hard for Barack Obama. So when I saw this Hennessy 44 Limited Edition bottle, I was like, “Yes I Can.”

I imagine Obama to be more of an XO drinker, but I’m quite sure he threw back the VSOP in his college days. So when The Man was elected our 44th President of the United States, Hennessy got right on top of things by developing a limited-edition Hennessy 44 bottle to honor America’s new main squeeze

I mean, it tastes just like regular Henny, but since there were only 180,000 produced, you probably don’t want to sit it among the empty bottles you keep on top of your fridge so your friends think you’re a “cool” alcoholic with good taste in booze.

To date, the bottles are only available for purchase in the Metro New York area, Georgia, DC, and Illinois. However, a percentage of the proceeds from each bottle will go to the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund. So it’s totally worth crossing state lines for, or sending a friend/relative cash to buy and ship you a bottle.

Bottoms up!

Cocktails aren’t for everybody, and the list of reasons for that is a mile long. Soda adds calories, juices don’t make you as drunk as you could be (now, that’s just a lie), and a lot of guys think cocktails are only for women, anyway. But some folks, like me, just enjoy the taste of pure, ungirlified drink every now and again. And for those of you who do, too, here are a few brand suggestions to try on your next trip to the bar.