The Henny Colada, a Piña Colada made with Hennessy Cognac, has been a staple at seafood shacks on the Bronx’s City Island for more than two decades. “The only way to improve on a Piña Colada is to add aged rum, and aged rum is a lot like Cognac,” says bartender and Bronx native Giuseppe González, who grew up going to City Island every summer.
While Henny Coladas have seen popularity in bars and nightclubs around the city, it’s rare to see them at more serious cocktail bars. Still, prior to the closing of his Lower East Side bar, Suffolk Arms, González made sure to put a Henny Colada on the menu as a tribute to a place he loves. While the drink calls for Hennessy VS, González recommends Hennessy Privilege as an upgrade, “if you’re feeling fancy.”