Japanese
/

Japanese
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.41 / 5
A great cocktail recipe from the 1860s, this was originally served in a rocks glass with ice, but somewhere along the line it got altered to be served straight up in a cocktail glass.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

Cocktail Of The Day
100 Cocktails To Try Before You Die (Part 2)
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cognac
Calories
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
178 calories
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lemon
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
32% | 2.4 units *

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Serves:
-
+
cocktail colin avatar

Cocktail Colin says:

4/5

The Japanese cocktail presents a simplistic yet refined taste, seamlessly blending the robust warmth of Cognac with the sweet, nutty undertones of orgeat syrup. This vintage concoction, dating back to the 1860s, marries the cognac's deep fruity notes with the orgeat's almond flavor, creating a delightful balance in a cocktail that is both spirited and sophisticated.

Method
How to make a Japanese

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Add all the ingredients along with 15ml/half a shot of chilled water into a mixing glass with ice
Stir well
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnish with a lemon peel twist and serve

Power tips
Elevate the Japanese with these master mixologist tips

Upgrade to premium

And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.

Find out more
Use a high-quality aged Cognac for a richer, more nuanced flavor profile in your Japanese cocktail.
Consider using crushed ice instead of regular ice cubes during stirring. It will chill the drink faster and dilute it less.
Subscribe to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Stir  ·  Strain  ·  Garnish  ·  Twist  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user for free to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

  • Global Gastronomy: A World Tour of Cocktails

Embark on a liquid journey around the globe with "Global Gastronomy: A World Tour of Cocktails." This exclusive collection is...

Go to collection

FAQ's

Ingredient specifics icon

What is the flavor profile of the Japanese cocktail?

The Japanese cocktail offers a rich blend of flavors, characterized by the warm, fruity notes of cognac, complemented by the sweetness and subtle almond-like taste of orgeat syrup. This combination results in a cocktail that is balanced and slightly sweet, with a complex flavor profile that can be appreciated by both cognac lovers and those looking for a unique cocktail experience.

Customization ideas icon

Can the Japanese cocktail be customized?

Yes, the Japanese cocktail can be customized to suit personal taste preferences. While the traditional recipe calls for cognac and orgeat syrup, variations may include adjusting the ratio of these ingredients for a sweeter or stronger drink. Additionally, one could experiment with different types of cognac or add a dash of bitters for added depth. Garnishing with a twist of lemon peel or a cherry can also enhance the presentation and flavor.

Occasion suitability icon

What is the best occasion to serve the Japanese cocktail?

The Japanese cocktail, with its elegant presentation and refined taste, is perfectly suited for special occasions or as an after-dinner drink. Its sophisticated profile makes it an excellent choice for dinner parties, celebrations, or as a relaxing treat at the end of a long day. Its balance of sweetness and alcohol strength also makes it a good introduction for those new to cognac-based cocktails.

Serving suggestions icon

How should the Japanese cocktail be served?

The Japanese cocktail should be served cold in a cocktail glass. It's not shaken but rather stirred to gently mix the ingredients while maintaining a smooth texture. The cocktail is traditionally served without ice to concentrate its flavors and aroma. Garnishing with a citrus twist or a maraschino cherry can add to its visual appeal and introduce a subtle additional flavor.

Origins history icon

What is the history behind the name of the Japanese cocktail?

The Japanese cocktail does not have a direct link to Japan in terms of ingredients or origin. Instead, its name is believed to be a nod to the first recorded visit of a Japanese delegation to the United States in 1860. The cocktail was presumably created by Jerry Thomas, a legendary bartender in San Francisco, as a tribute to this event. Despite its name, the drink is a product of American cocktail culture and does not reflect traditional Japanese flavors or ingredients.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)

The Ultimate Christmas Cocktail Hub

The ultimate destination for all things Christmas and Cocktails. Crate your own Christmas cocktail, cocktail advent calendars, a host of Christmas themed cocktails and more.

Filter by Christmas cocktails that contain a certain ingredient, or just browse them all. The go-to location this Christmas.

Let's go

Create your own cocktail menu!

Use our interactive cocktail menu creator for free, and create wonderful looking cocktail menus for your next party, gathering or bar.

Great looking pre-built designed themes, group your cocktails, choose what to show on them and a host more options.

Get creating
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating

Build your bar

Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.

Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.

Create My Bar
build your bar light mode image