I recently attended Pineau Mixology Face-off hosted by The super-talented Ms. Franky Marshall, NYC bar legend, mixologist and educator, and Ginn Choe, bartender and expert mixologist where I got to learn all about Pineau des Charentes and how to mix it into some incredible cocktails. Ms. Franky and Ginn guided us through the tasting and mixing process. After an intro into this versatile wine, we jumped right into flavor combos I would have never imagined!

Now, Pineau des Charentes is often labeled a fortified wine, but let’s be real—it’s more likely to be found on a bar shelf than in a dusty old wine cellar. Mixologists everywhere are embracing it as their not-so-secret weapon for cocktails. Why? Because it’s got that artisanal craftsmanship vibe, a flavor profile that’s both versatile and friendly, and let’s not forget—it’s oh-so-well-balanced!

Pineau des Charentes is like the perfect bridge between wine and spirits. It comes from the same region as the famed Cognac and is made from a mix of fresh grape juice and Cognac eau-de-vie. Basically, it’s got the fresh fruitiness of wine and the distinct kick of Cognac. At 17% ABV, it sits somewhere between a robust wine and a lighter spirit, making it the ideal addition to your cocktail staples. It’s made in the Charente and Charente-Maritime regions of France (yep, the same place where Cognac is born), using grapes like Ugni Blanc, Colombard, and Folle Blanche. After harvest, the grape juice is blended with Cognac eau-de-vie that’s been aged for at least a year. Then, the magic happens—it’s aged for at least 18 months, including 12 months in oak barrels, which adds layers of flavor.

Now, here’s where it gets really fun! Pineau des Charentes comes in a range of ages and styles, from light and delicate to rich and complex. This makes it the perfect ingredient for a variety of cocktails, whether you’re mixing up a spritz or a sophisticated lowball drink. At the event, we not only tasted different varieties of Pineau des Charentes, but we also tried some seriously delicious cocktails made with this versatile wine. I was blown away when I learned what went into them—some ingredients I’d never even think to use!

Then came the highlight: it was our turn to create our own cocktails, and Ms. Franky and Ginn would be judging to crown a winner. If you know me, you know I’m just a tad competitive (OK, maybe more than a tad!), so I was totally up for this challenge. Armed with everything we learned, I went all in to make the winning cocktail. And guess what? Here’s my recipe:

The Rachel

1.5 oz Park Pineau des Charentes
1.5 oz Tequila Blanco
.5 oz Lime juice
.25 Raspberry Syrup
1.25 oz Selzer
Shake over ice (with a smile)
Rim a sugar moon rocks glass, float two fresh raspberries, add lime pinwheel on rim.

This my friends was the winner!! The name of the cocktail, “The Rachel” came from a request on Facebook to name it.

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