By: Yolanda Shoshana

During Valentine’s Day season most people focus on Champagne. That’s totally understandable because it’s one sexy wine. I want to encourage you to try something other than sparkling wine. How about adding Cognac into your libation rotation? It’s that time of year, February, also known as the month of love. Though at Cupid’s Pulse we bring the love year-round.

Cognac is produced in a very charming city of the same name in France. French is the language of lovers so think of it as the spirit of “love in a bottle”.

For so long people have thought of Cognac as an older man’s drink, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. The spirit has a vibrant history of being the libation of choice by kings, queens, and aristocrats. Now, most people think of rappers when they see Cognac. It’s true than many famous singers/rappers love Cognac. However, it’s also enjoyed by men and women around the world, especially in Japan and the US.  Besides being known for luxury, it’s rather seductive. It’s easy to find it as an ingredient in cocktails at fancy hotel bars and even dive bars have gotten into serving classy Cognac drinks. People have caught on to how delightful and versatile Cognac can be.

Related Link: Love & Libations: Autumn + Red Wine = Love

Ready to get it in? Here are some celebrity-inspired suggestions:

Branson Cognac

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is always up to something. If he isn’t posting leaks for his hit show, Power, he is trolling someone online.  What you may not know about him is that he released a Cognac last year called Branson. If you go with the VSOP. it’s meant to be used in a cocktail. If you really want to turn it up, get the XO. It’s always a smooth move. When you get a whiff of citrus, tobacco, and honey, it starts the game of seduction.

50’s s love life has been bumpy throughout the years. He may not be the person look to for love advice; however, Branson would be the perfect selection to use in a hot drink to have a cozy night with your partner.

Café Amore Cocktail

1 ounce Branson Cognac

1 ounce amaretto

6 ounces coffee

Whipped Cream ( garnish)

Pour Cognac and amaretto into an Irish coffee glass. Fill with hot black coffee. Top with whipped cream.

Related Link: Love & Libations: The Love Of The Negroni

Conjure Cognac

When Conjure first came out it was a little rough around the edges. The spirit by Ludacris has stepped up its game. The tag line is “Conjure the Possibilities”. Sounds fun, but you may want to proceed with caution since some have called Cognac,  “baby-making juice.” Or as Ludacris would put it, makes you  a” lady in the streets, but a freak in the bed”

The aromas in this juice are cocoa, cedar, and hazelnut. Below is the recipe by Conjure for a sweet tea that would be perfect to pair with a romantic home-cooked dinner. It will get your senses going among other things.

Conjure Sweet Tea

4-5 mint sprigs

1 1/2 oz. Conjure

3/4 oz. freshly pressed lemon juice

1 oz. simple syrup

1 oz. iced tea

Fill glass with ingredients. Shake and strain over fresh ice cubes. Garnish with a spring of mint.

Is it possible to spending time with an ex after a breakup?

Hi Carrolton:

Great question about an issue many daters face. Having seen my share of committed relationships, I discovered that the end is not the end until both partners get on the same page. Breaking up is tough, and regardless of the circumstances, people are creatures of habit. That makes cutting the cord with your ex a challenge. And, if the sex was good, it makes it even more challenging. When you meet up with your ex, even as friends, it’s easy to be tempted to return to old habits which are a short term fix rather than a long -term solution.

Related Link: Ask The Guy’s Guy: Should I Remain Friends with My Ex Online?

So, I don’t recommend post-breakup hookups. This can mess with your head on many levels. When a couple breaks up, it means at least one partner was dissatisfied and probably wants to date other people. How can you move on when you see your ex, and even under the auspices of a friendly drink, you end up in the sack? It’s not a good idea. Here’s an example.

I was in a committed relationship. Over time, we drifted apart partially due to travel for our jobs. Eventually, we broke up. She moved out and got her own place only a few blocks away. So, we got together a few times for a “friendly” dinner, and each time ended the night rumpling the sheets before she went home. This went on for a few months until I texted to see if she was up for a drink. This time she said no. She told me that the last time we got together she got busted by her new boyfriend (news to me) when she returned home with her blouse on backward. That was the end of that. Happily, the breakup turned out to be a gift. I licked my emotional wounds, moved on, and dated a number of amazing, intelligent, very attractive women until I met my future wife.

Related Link: Ask The Guy’s Guy: How Can You Tell Red Flags From Online Dating?

The lesson for me was that when it’s over, it’s over, and that means it’s time to move on. In the rare instance that you both want to get back together, there is no better way to sort that out than spending time apart, without the temptation of post-breakup sex.

I hope this helps,

Your Guy’s Guy

Robert Manni

If you would like relationship expert Robert Manni to answer your online dating/relationship questions, please email gillian@nvmediainc.com 

More about the Guy’s Guy: 

Robert is the host of Guy’s Guy Radio, featured on Blog Talk Radio and available on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn. The weekly podcast features interviews with relationship coaches, entertainers, authors, wellness experts, spiritual teachers, sports personalities, and a weekly “Guys’ Guy’s Guide” exploring current guy-focused topics.

His novel, THE GUYS’ GUY’S GUIDE TO LOVE, praised as the “men’s successor to Sex and the City,” has been developed into two feature-length adapted screenplays, a scripted television series (pilot and treatment), and a series of non-scripted Guy’s Guy show concepts.

Robert has appeared on broadcast television (NBC’s Morning Blend, WPIX11 Morning News) and is a frequent guest across a spectrum of satellite, terrestrial, and web-based radio programs and podcasts, as well as a contributor to Huffington Post, Thought Catalog, Cupid’s Pulse, GalTime, is a featured expert on GoodMenProject and YourTango. He was also named a Top Dating Blogger by DatingAdvice.com.

Robert developed the Guy’s Guy Platform to help men and women better understand each other and bridge the growing communication gap between the sexes. He continually creates a fresh, robust palette of timely Guy’s Guy content focused on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Whether it’s navigating the challenges of dating, relationships, friendship, career or wellness, Robert explores ways to help both men and women be at their best so that everybody wins.

Blog: RobertManni.com

Podcast: Guy’s Guy Radio

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