Nas and Hennessy Unveil HenNASsy, a Limited-Edition Cognac to Celebrate 50 Years of Hip-Hop
Hip-hop and Hennessy share a long history. From 2Pac to Snoop Dogg to Drake, many of the genre’s biggest names have repped the Cognac. According to the brand, it has been featured in more hip-hop songs over the years than any other alcohol company. Now, the French brandy is celebrating that relationship by teaming up with Grammy Award-winning rap legend Nas to release a limited-edition Hennessy V.S bottle and celebrate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary.
"Hennessy has been an undeniable mainstay in hip-hop, intricately woven into the fabric of the genre and its global influence for decades," said Jasmin Allen, senior vice president, Hennessy USA. "We're proud to honor hip-hop's 50th anniversary with a pioneer of the art and culture—hip-hop icon, Nas—as we celebrate the debut of our collaborative limited-edition bottle."
To capture the spirit of hip-hop, Nas narrated a film in partnership with New York photographer Renell Medrano, who grew up in the Bronx. This film is made to serve as Nas' love letter to hip-hop and features imagery of the new Hennessy V.S bottle.
"It means a lot to me to celebrate this legendary moment in hip-hop history with Hennessy, a brand that has supported me for over 10 years," said Nas. "Hennessy is part of our culture and continues to inspire generations of hip-hop fans, so I'm really proud to share our new limited-edition bottle with the world."
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To go along with the new bottle, Hennessy's mixologists crafted three unique cocktails to celebrate hip-hop's 50th.
1. The Big Apple
Inspired by Nas, this drink is Hennessy's homage to the birthplace of hip-hop. The fruity notes of Hennessy V.S compliment the cinnamon apple flavors prominent in the cocktail.
Ingredients:
1.5 ounce Hennessy V.S
1.5 ounce apple juice
0.5 ounce maple syrup
0.5 ounce lime juice
1 cinnamon stick garnish
Directions:
Add all liquid to a shaker with ice.
Shake until chilled.
Pour into rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with cinnamon stick.
2. Incredible Hennessy
A twist on a classic, this well-balanced and refreshing drink taps into the brand’s legacy within hip-hop and will be immediately recognizable to fans of the brand and the genre.
Ingredients:
1.5 ounce Hennessy V.S
0.5 ounce Hpnotiq
0.5 ounce Midori
0.75 ounce lemon juice
0.25 ounce dry vermouth
0.5 ounce simple syrup
1 lime or lemon twist garnish
Directions:
Add all liquid to a shaker with ice.
Shake until chilled.
Pour into rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with lime or lemon twist.
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3. HenNASsy Honey
A tribute to Hennessy's partnership with Nas. The Cognac's complexity complements the sweetness of the honey while balancing the tartness of the lemon juice.
Ingredients:
1.5 ounce Hennessy V.S
0.75 ounce honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)
0.5 ounce fresh lemon juice
2.5 ounce coconut water
1 lemon wheel garnish
Directions:
Add all liquid to a shaker with ice.
Shake until chilled.
Pour into a collins glass filled with ice.
Garnish with lemon wheel.
[$45; caskers.com]
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