There’s more than one way to drink cognac.

Though one of those ways is undoubtedly in a glass by itself, which is a fine, time-tested use of both glassware and your free hand.

But cognac’s a versatile spirit with a lot to offer, so it’s also a worthy addition to cocktails, including some of your favorite non-cognac classics. So here we’re putting France’s favorite brandy to work in places usually occupied by whiskey or gin.

The results are the rich, delicious and easy-to-make drinks you see below. So consult these recipes, and break them out for thirsty houseguests or whenever you need a little reprieve from your thirsty houseguests.

Old Fashioned
2 oz cognac
1 sugar cube
2 dashes aromatic bitters
Muddle sugar cube with bitters in a mixing glass. Add cognac and ice, and stir until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice cubes, and garnish with an optional lemon or orange peel.

Sazerac
2 oz cognac
3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
1 sugar cube
1 barspoon absinthe
Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe and discard the excess. In a separate mixing glass, muddle sugar cube with bitters. Add cognac and ice, and stir until chilled. Strain into absinthe-rinsed glass. Squeeze a lemon peel over the drink to express oils and drop it in.

French 75
1 1/2 oz cognac
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
4 oz champagne
Shake first three ingredients with ice and strain into a flute. Top with chilled champagne and garnish with a lemon peel.

Collins
1 1/2 oz cognac
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
3-4 oz club soda
Shake first three ingredients and strain into a collins glass. Add ice, then top with club soda.

Manhattan
2 oz cognac
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes aromatic bitters
Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a coupe and garnish with a brandied cherry.