As we settle in for the NBA Playoffs, Hennessy, the spirit of the NBA, has created a collection of unique, locally inspired NBA team cocktails for each of the 8 franchises that have made it to the next round.

The expert Hennessy ambassadors have crafted a selection of drinks that pay homage to the league’s teams including the “Pineapple Fresca” cocktail for the LA Lakers, the “Top of the Key” for the Miami Heat and the “Brighter Lights” cocktail for the NY Knicks. Check the recipes are detailed below.

No matter which team you support, Hennessy’s NBA-inspired cocktails are sure to be a slam dunk at your playoff parties.
Find a perfect sip to enjoy, wherever you watch.

Hennessy NBA Team-Inspired Cocktails

Boston Celtics – Fruit of the Gardens
Ingredients:

·       1oz Hennessy V.S

·       1oz Cocoa Nib infused Rye

·       1oz Sweet Vermouth

·       0.5oz Maraschino Liqueur

·       2 dashes of chocolate bitters Garnish: orange twist

Recipe:

Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass, add ice and stir until ice cold. Strain into an iced rocks glass.

Denver Nuggets – Altitude is Spicy
Ingredients:

·       4 parts Hennessy V.S

·       4 parts Jicama juice

·       1 part lime juice

·       ½ part ginger syrup

·       2 tsp green chilies

·       2 drops of saline solution pinch cinnamon

·       Garnish: cinnamon dusting and lime slice

Recipe: 

Combine all ingredients into a mixing tin, “whip and dump” with very little ice. Double strain into an iced Collins glass.

Golden State Warriors* – 24Karat Cocktail
Ingredients:

·       1.5oz Hennessy V.S.O.P

·       1oz Sake, Junmai

·       0.5oz Lemon juice

·       0.5oz Honey syrup

·       1oz Aquafaba

·       Garnish: 6 drops of Angostura Bitters

Recipe:

Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice, shake hard, then add ice and shake to chill, strain into a Coupe glass and garnish with 6 drops of Angostura Bitters around the foam, stylize with a toothpick.

Los Angeles Lakers* – Pineapple Fresca
Ingredients:

·       1.5oz Hennessy V.S

·       0.5oz Velvet Falernum

·       5oz Pineapple Aqua Fresco

·       1/8th tsp Edible gold powder

·       Garnish: Purple flower, gold cinnamon honey powder

Recipe:

Paint the lip of the glass with lemon juice, then dust with gold cinnamon honey powder over the outside of the glass. Add all ingredients to a Collins glass with ice and garnish with a purple flower.

Miami Heat – Top of the Key
Ingredients:

·       1 oz Hennessy V.S

·       1oz cream

·       0.5oz Creme De Cacao

·       0.5oz Vanilla liqueur

·       0.5oz Lime juice

·       1 egg white

·       2 dashes of saline

·       Garnish: Lime zest

Recipe:

Combine all ingredients into a nixing tin without ice. Dry shake to emulsify. Add ice and shake until ice cold. Strain into a Nick & Nora or cocktail glass.

New York Knicks – Brighter Lights
Ingredients:

1.5oz Hennessy V.S

0.5oz Lemon juice

0.5oz Strawberry syrup

0.25oz Vanilla liqueur

Top with Hennessy

Cheesecake Whipped cream

Garnish: graham cracker crumble

Recipe: Combine Hennessy cognac, lemon juice, strawberry syrup, and vanilla liqueur into a mixing tin. Shake until ice cold, strain into a cocktail glass and top with Hennessy Cheesecake.

Philadelphia 76ers* – Ultimate Float
Ingredients:

3 parts Hennessy V.S

4 parts Hires Root Beer

1.5 parts simple syrup

1 part lemon juice

Angostura bitters to taste

2 parts whole milk

Garnish: Orange twist

Recipe: Add the first 5 ingredients to a large vessel, allow to sit for a few minutes then add the whole milk, stir to combine (the milk should start to curdle) seal the vessel and refrigerate for 24 hours before straining through cheesecloth until all milk particles are out. Chill and serve.

Phoenix Suns – Sets in the West
Ingredients:

1.5oz Hennessy V.S

0.5oz Montenegro Amaro

1oz Pistachio Orgeat

4 Pitted dates

2oz Cream 35% (Whipping Cream)

3 dashes Xocoatl Mole Bitters

Garnish: pistachio powder

Recipe: Add all ingredients to a blender with ice and blend until smooth, then pour into a rocks glass and dust with pistachio powder.