Roffignac Cocktail

The Roffignac is a tribute to the vibrant history of New Orleans in a glass. This cognac-based highball is brightened with the sweet and tart flavor of raspberry, balanced with fresh lemon, and given a lively finish with soda water. It's an elegant, easy-drinking cocktail that is both fruity and sophisticated, showcasing how simple ingredients can create a memorable and historic taste experience.
Roffignac Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Roffignac is classified as a classic cocktail with deep historical roots. It falls into the highball category, being a spirit-based drink lengthened with a non-alcoholic mixer, in this case, soda water. It is a refreshing and historically significant New Orleans creation.

Serving

Served cold in a tall, chilled Highball glass with ice, this is a refreshing, moderately alcoholic drink designed for easy sipping.
Serving size
Approximately 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail is named for Count Louis Philippe Joseph de Roffignac, who was the mayor of New Orleans from 1820 to 1828. He was known for paving the streets and introducing gas street lamps, and also for importing red-hued paving stones. The drink, with its characteristic red color, was created in his honor and became a signature drink at Mannessier's, a famous 19th-century bar in the city's French Quarter.
Origin
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. It is believed to have been created in the mid-19th century.

Roffignac Cocktail

The drink is most commonly known as the Roffignac Cocktail, or simply The Roffignac. It is named directly after a famous New Orleans mayor, so alternative names are rare.
Original name
Roffignac Cocktail
Alternative name
The Roffignac

Characteristics overview

This cocktail has a bright, fruity flavor dominated by raspberry with a tart edge, complemented by the subtle oak and grape notes of the cognac. Its effervescent texture and refreshing character make it an ideal summer drink.
Flavor
Raspberry, Tart, Fruity, Grape, Oak
Aroma
Fruity, Berry, Lightly vinous
Taste balance
Tart, Sweet, Spirituous
Aftertaste
Clean, Crisp, Short
Fizziness
Effervescent, Bubbly
Color appearance
Pinkish-Red, Clear, Bubbly
Texture
Light, Crisp, Watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is led by a bright fruitiness and sourness, with a moderate sweetness and a light alcohol presence. It is a bubbly, non-bitter, and non-spicy drink with a refreshing overall intensity.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of Cognac, balanced with raspberry syrup and fresh lemon juice. The drink is lengthened and made refreshing with a top of chilled soda water.
  • Cognac VS or VSOP45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A good quality VS or VSOP Cognac provides a smooth, fruity base.
  • Raspberry Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A quality raspberry syrup is key. Some historical recipes call for a raspberry shrub, which includes vinegar for extra tartness.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Crucial for balancing the sweetness of the syrup. Some purists build it without juice, relying on a shrub, but modern palates prefer the balance from lemon.
  • Soda Water60-90 ml / 2-3 oz, to top
    Use chilled soda water to maintain carbonation and temperature.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You'll need basic bar tools for this built-in-the-glass cocktail, including a jigger for accurate measurements and a bar spoon to gently mix the ingredients.
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Bar Spoon for stirring
  • Citrus Juicer for lemon

Instructions

This is a simple "build-in-glass" recipe; just add the main ingredients to an ice-filled highball glass, top with soda, and give it a gentle stir before garnishing.
1. Chill a Highball glass by filling it with ice and water and letting it sit for a minute.
2. Discard the ice and water, and fill the chilled glass with fresh ice cubes.
3. Pour the Cognac, raspberry syrup, and fresh lemon juice into the glass over the ice.
4. Top with chilled soda water.
5. Gently stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients without losing too much carbonation.
6. Garnish with a lemon wedge or wheel and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a lemon wedge or wheel adds a citrus aroma and complements the flavors of the drink.
  • Lemon wedge or wheel, placed on the rim or in the drink

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, and nuts. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets and contains no caffeine.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

The cocktail is relatively low in calories, with its carbohydrate and sugar content coming almost entirely from the raspberry syrup. The exact values can vary based on the syrup used.
Calories
Averagely 150-180 kcal / 628-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-18 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Roffignac is perfect for warm weather, making it an excellent choice for a summer afternoon or a garden party. Its refreshing nature also makes it suitable as a pre-dinner aperitif or a delightful brunch cocktail.
  • Summer Afternoon
  • Brunch
  • Aperitif
  • Casual Gatherings

Pairing suggestions

Given its New Orleans roots, the Roffignac pairs wonderfully with Creole dishes like shrimp remoulade or crawfish boils. It also works well with light snacks such as salty, spicy nuts or mild cheeses. For dessert, it complements fruit tarts or berry-forward pastries.
  • Creole Cuisine
  • Spicy Nuts
  • Light Cheeses
  • Fresh Fruit Tarts

The Roffignac Cocktail: A Taste of Old New Orleans

The Roffignac Cocktail is a delightful journey into the history of New Orleans mixology. It's a beautifully simple, cognac-based highball that balances the fruity sweetness of raspberry with the tartness of lemon, all lifted by the sparkle of soda water. More than just a drink, it's a piece of American history, named for a notable mayor and enjoyed for centuries in the French Quarter. Easy to make and even easier to drink, the Roffignac is a perfect choice for anyone looking to explore classic cocktails beyond the usual suspects.

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