Pass the Courvoisier

Jan 25 2007 by Andrew Higgins, Liverpool Daily Post

No longer a medicinal tipple, brandy is now the drink of choice for the hip-hop generation, as Andrew Higgins discovers

Very fashionable drink

TEQUILA is the drink traditionally associated with Mexico, but at modern Mexican restaurant Savina, on Liverpool's Duke Street, diners apparently can't get enough of Cognac.

"In the 'bling' culture of ostentatious wealth, Cognac is held in high esteem, second only to Cristal Champagne," says owner Chris Hamblin.

"Cognac has certainly become very fashionable among our younger guests who tend to drink the top-end Cognacs - they're seen as a status symbol."

Tesco is not the only company jumping on the brandy bandwagon. Societe des Produits Marnier-Lapostolle, the French familycontrolled producer of Grand Marnier, has introduced its first new version of the drink since 1977.

Navan, a mixture of French Cognacs and natural black vanilla from Madagascar, is aimed at young, urban drinkers.

Vinyl co-owner David Coltman, whose cool bar in Lark Lane attracts artists and musicians, says that Hypnotiq, a cocktail made from Cognac, vodka and fruit and featured in songs by Jay-Z, R Kelly and Missy Elliott, has become popular of late. People still like the old favourites, though.

"We've put together a new list of brandy cocktails," he says. "The Brandy Alexander classic is the favourite at the moment."