The Japanese Cocktail (two ways!)

This week’s cocktail features a common tiki element without the complexity of the majority of tiki drinks. Orgeat is a syrup made from almonds and sugar. It’s possible to make it at home, but we recommend getting a nice bottle from the store.

The Japanese Cocktail is an old cocktail and very simple. We found it in the book, “3-Ingredient Cocktails” by Robert Simonson (NYT cocktail writer).

Reactions to this cocktail have been mixed, and so we also went looking for any variations on the classic recipe and quickly found one with our cocktail bar Godfather, Anders Erickson. We are including both the classic and improved versions this week for you to explore!

Cheers!

2oz Cognac

0.5oz Orgeat

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass

Add ice and stir for 30 seconds

Double strain into a chilled coupe

Express lemon twist and drop into glass

Improved Japanese Cocktail

1.5oz Cognac

0.75oz Orgeat

0.75 Lemon Juice

2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake for 12-15 seconds

Double strain into a chilled coupe or nick and nora glass

Express lemon twist and drop into glass

Source: 3 Ingredient Cocktails and Anders Erickson (alternate option)

Grace O’Malley

On the hunt for an interesting cocktail based in Irish Whiskey, the name of this one jumped right off the digital page. We were intrigued by the combination of Irish whiskey with coffee liqueur. Adding orgeat, a tiki staple, was eyebrow raising, and then just tossing lemon in at the end? We were skeptical.

The outcome is a very interesting cocktail. Almost a St Patrick’s Tiki Drink. All the flavors have somehow combined into something new, which we love about cocktails. So, if you are looking for an interesting way to add some Jameson to your Saint Patrick’s Day (or any day), check this one out! Plus, as it requires a straw to drink, it’s VR Enabled!!! Cheers!

1.5oz Irish Whiskey (Jameson)

1oz Coffee Liqueur (we used Tia Maria)

0.75oz Orgeat

0.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice

0.5oz Simple Syrup

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker

Add ice and shake for 10-15 seconds

Strain into a highball glass filled with crushed ice

Source: The Tasting Panel cocktail recipe