Japanese Cocktail

June 20, 2011 (Day 84) — Japanese Cocktail

The Japanese Cocktail was created by bartender Jerry Thomas and appeared in the 1862 bartending tome “How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon-Vivant’s Companion.” It’s a fascinating read because it’s considered the first bartending book published in the United States.

While not having anything to do with Japan, it’s rumored that Thomas created the drink to reflect the Japanese ex-pats that frequented his bar in New York City.

And check out that form!

Japanese Cocktail

• 2 oz brandy
• .5 oz orgeat
• .5 oz fresh lime juice
• dash of Angostura bitters
• lime peel for garnish

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the lime peel.

Nice bit of flavor. The orgeat syrup makes it sweet, but the lime juice keeps it from being saccahrine.

A nice classic.

Cheers!