Alabazam Cocktail

The Alabazam Cocktail is a deep, spirit-forward drink from the golden age of cocktails. It masterfully combines the rich, fruity notes of brandy with the sweet complexity of orange curaçao. A few dashes of Angostura bitters add a spicy backbone, while a small amount of lemon juice and simple syrup provide perfect balance, resulting in a smooth, elegant, and flavorful sip.
Alabazam Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Alabazam is classified as a classic cocktail, originating from the 19th century. It falls into the category of spirit-forward drinks, specifically those built around brandy.

Serving

Serve this spirit-forward drink ice-cold in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Its alcohol content is notable, making it a proper cocktail meant for slow enjoyment.
Serving size
Approximately 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Alabazam first appeared in "Professor" Jerry Thomas's seminal 1862 bartending guide, "How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant's Companion." Like many cocktails from that era, its precise origin story is lost to time. The name is likely a whimsical invention, possibly a play on the word "Alabama," meant to evoke a sense of the exotic or exciting for drinkers of the time.
Origin
United States, circa 1862. This cocktail is a documented classic from one of the earliest and most influential bartending books ever published.

Alabazam Cocktail

The drink is most commonly known as the Alabazam Cocktail, though it is sometimes shortened to simply Alabazam. Its name is fanciful and typical of 19th-century cocktail nomenclature, with its exact origin being uncertain.
Original name
Alabazam Cocktail
Alternative name
Alabazam

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a smooth, silky texture with a rich amber hue and complex aromas of brandy and spice. The flavor is spirit-forward and warming, balanced between sweetness and bitters, making it an ideal sipper for any season.
Flavor
Spirit-forward, brandy, orange, warming spice, subtly sweet, hint of citrus
Aroma
Brandy, orange peel, baking spice, citrus oils
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet-forward, bitter, sour
Aftertaste
Long, warming, spicy, orange zest
Fizziness
None, still
Color appearance
Clear, deep amber, golden brown
Texture
Smooth, silky, rich
Seasonality
Year-round, warming, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Alabazam is moderately intense, with a noticeable alcohol strength and a forward fruity-sweetness from the brandy and curaçao, balanced by a subtle sourness and bitterness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This recipe requires a good quality brandy as its base, complemented by orange curaçao, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and a dash of fresh lemon juice.
  • Brandy60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality VS or VSOP Cognac works beautifully, but any quality brandy is suitable.
  • Orange Curaçao5 ml / 1 teaspoon
    Can be substituted with other high-quality orange liqueurs like Grand Marnier or Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao.
  • Simple Syrup5 ml / 1 teaspoon
    1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste depending on the sweetness of your curaçao.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters2 dashes
    Essential for adding aromatic complexity and a balancing bitterness.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice1.25 ml / 1 dash (approx. 1/4 teaspoon)
    Just a small amount is needed to brighten the drink, not to make it sour.

Ice type

  • Cubed ice for shaking

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, jigger, and both a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer for a smooth, professional result.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Hawthorne strainer to separate ice from the liquid.
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining to remove small ice shards.

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, shaking all ingredients with ice until very cold, and then double straining into the glass. The final touch is garnishing with an expressed lemon peel.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before you begin.
2. Add the brandy, orange curaçao, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosted and very cold.
5. Double strain the mixture through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into your pre-chilled glass.
6. Take a fresh lemon peel, hold it over the drink with the skin-side down, and squeeze it to express the citrus oils onto the drink's surface.
7. Drop the lemon peel into the glass and serve immediately.

Garnishing

A simple yet essential garnish of a lemon peel adds bright citrus aromatics that complement the cocktail's flavors perfectly.
  • Lemon Peel: Express the oils from a fresh lemon peel over the surface of the drink to release its aroma, then drop it into the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is alcoholic and generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets, though one should always verify the specific ingredients used (e.g., bitters).
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and a smaller amount from sugar. Its carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low for a cocktail.
Calories
Averagely 170-190 kcal (711-795 kJ)
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 8-10 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 8-10 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an excellent cocktail for sophisticated sipping occasions. It serves wonderfully as an aperitif to stimulate the palate before a meal or as a contemplative after-dinner drink.
  • Aperitif
  • Evening Sipping
  • Classic Cocktail Night
  • After Dinner Drink

Pairing suggestions

The Alabazam pairs well with savory and slightly rich flavors. Consider serving it with a selection of hard cheeses, cured meats, or roasted nuts to complement its spirit-forward character. It can also stand up to the richness of dark chocolate.
  • Assorted nuts
  • Hard cheeses like aged cheddar or gouda
  • Charcuterie board
  • Dark chocolate

The Alabazam Cocktail: A Taste of 19th Century Elegance

The Alabazam Cocktail is a journey back to the roots of mixology, offering a taste of 19th-century elegance. It's a beautifully balanced, spirit-forward drink that showcases the depth of good brandy, enhanced by notes of orange and aromatic spice. While not widely known today, it's a hidden gem for any lover of classic cocktails, perfect for a quiet evening of sophisticated sipping. Its preparation is straightforward, rewarding the drinker with a smooth, complex, and satisfying experience.

Similar Cocktails

Brandy Crusta

A close relative that also features brandy and curaçao but is served in a sugar-rimmed glass and typically includes maraschino liqueur.

Sidecar

Another classic brandy cocktail, but with a much more prominent lemon juice component, making it brighter and more sour.

Japanese Cocktail

Also from Jerry Thomas's book, this cocktail uses brandy and orgeat syrup instead of curaçao and simple syrup, giving it a distinct nutty flavor.

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