Japanese Cocktail

Name: Japanese Cocktail
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 60 ml / 2 oz Cognac; 15 ml / 0.5 oz Orgeat Syrup; 2 dashes Angostura Aromatic Bitters

Ingredients Instructions

This surprisingly simple yet delicious classic dates back to the mid-19th century and the "father of American mixology," Jerry Thomas. It masterfully balances the warmth of cognac with the sweet, nutty almond flavor of orgeat, sharpened by a few dashes of aromatic bitters. The Japanese Cocktail is a stirred, spirit-forward drink that offers a silky texture and a complex flavor profile perfect for sophisticated sipping. Despite its name, it contains no Japanese ingredients and is a true American classic.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Japanese Cocktail is a classic cocktail, firmly placed in the historical category of drinks from the 19th century. It is considered an aperitif or digestif, meant for sophisticated sipping rather than high-volume consumption.

Serving

Served "up" in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass, this is a spirit-forward drink with a moderate alcohol content. It is a relatively small, cold sipper designed for flavor rather than volume.

Serving size

Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)

Alcohol content

Approximately 25-30% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled

Backstory

The cocktail was created by Jerry Thomas and first appeared in his 1862 book, "How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant's Companion." The name is believed to honor the first-ever Japanese diplomatic mission to the United States, which visited New York in 1860. The delegation stayed at the Metropolitan Hotel, where Thomas was the head bartender, and he likely created the drink to commemorate the occasion.

Origin

United States, circa 1860.

Japanese Cocktail

The name "Japanese Cocktail" is a historical curiosity, as the drink contains no Japanese ingredients. It was named by bartender Jerry Thomas in 1860 to honor the first Japanese diplomatic delegation to visit the United States. The name has remained unchanged since its creation.

Original name

Japanese Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a silky, smooth texture with a rich, nutty aroma of almond and spice from the orgeat and bitters. The flavor is a complex balance of sweet and bitter, with a long, warming aftertaste perfect for any season.

Flavor

Nutty, rich, boozy, slightly sweet, aromatic, almond, grape, complex

Aroma

Almond, spice, oak, brandy, subtle citrus

Taste balance

Sweet, bitter

Aftertaste

Long, warming, nutty, spicy

Fizziness

Still

Color appearance

Amber, golden-brown, clear

Texture

Silky, smooth, slightly viscous

Seasonality

All-season, slightly warming, autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is moderately intense, led by a noticeable sweetness from the orgeat and the distinct warmth of the cognac. It is balanced by a subtle bitterness from the bitters and is not sour, salty, or carbonated.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

To create this classic, you will need three key ingredients: a good quality Cognac as the base spirit, nutty orgeat syrup, and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters for complexity.

Cognac60 ml / 2 oz
A VSOP or XO Cognac is recommended to provide a rich, complex base.
Orgeat Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
A quality orgeat made with real almonds is crucial for the best flavor. Check label for vegan status if required.
Angostura Aromatic Bitters2 dashes
Provides aromatic spice and a bitter counterpoint to the sweetness of the orgeat.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

This is a stirred cocktail, requiring a mixing glass, bar spoon, and strainer. A jigger is also essential for measuring the ingredients precisely.

Mixing glass for stirring the ingredients.
Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pours.
Bar spoon for stirring the cocktail.
Hawthorne or Julep strainer to strain the drink from the ice.

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling a glass, stirring the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass to achieve the perfect chill and dilution, and then straining into the prepared glass. A final garnish of an expressed lemon peel completes the drink.

1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.

2. Add the cognac, orgeat syrup, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass.

3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with fresh, cold ice cubes.

4. Stir with a bar spoon for 20-30 seconds until the outside of the glass is frosty and the drink is well-chilled and diluted.

5. Discard the ice from your serving glass and strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.

6. Take a lemon peel, twist it over the surface of the drink to express its oils, and then drop it in as garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the traditional garnish. The expressed citrus oils add a bright aromatic note that complements the rich flavors of the cocktail.

Express a lemon peel over the drink to release its oils, then drop it into the glass.

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains nuts due to the almond-based orgeat syrup, making it unsuitable for those with nut allergies. It is typically dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan, though it is best to verify the ingredients of the specific orgeat syrup used.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✕ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains around 170 calories per serving, primarily from the alcohol and the orgeat syrup. The carbohydrate and sugar content comes almost entirely from the orgeat.

Calories

Approximately 170 kcal / 711 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 8 g

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 7 g

Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is perfect for sophisticated occasions, serving as an excellent aperitif before a meal or a digestif afterward. Its classic nature makes it a great choice for cocktail parties where historical or unique drinks are appreciated.

Aperitif
Sophisticated Sipping
Cocktail Party
After-dinner Drink

Pairing suggestions

The nutty and rich profile of the Japanese Cocktail pairs wonderfully with savory snacks like Marcona almonds or a cheese board featuring soft, creamy cheeses. For a dessert pairing, it complements fruit tarts or other almond-based sweets beautifully.

Marcona almonds
Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert
Fruit tarts or desserts with almond

The Japanese Cocktail: An American Classic with an Exotic Name

The Japanese Cocktail is a deceptively simple yet elegant classic from the dawn of mixology. It beautifully showcases the interplay between rich cognac, nutty orgeat, and aromatic bitters, creating a flavor profile that is both unique and timeless. A perfect choice for those who appreciate spirit-forward, stirred cocktails with a touch of sweetness and complexity. Its silky texture and warming finish make it an ideal sipper for any sophisticated occasion.