← Back to Cocktails

Japanese Cocktail

A brandy‑orgeat classic with soft almond sweetness and aromatic bitters.

Base spirit
Brandy
Style
Spirit-forward
Glassware
Coupe
Technique
Stir

The Japanese Cocktail mixes cognac with orgeat and bitters for a silky, floral, lightly spiced stirred drink. It reads warm, round, and surprisingly modern despite its age.

A Japanese Cocktail in a coupe with lemon twist.

Ingredients

Servings
  • • 2 oz cognac
  • • 0.5 oz orgeat
  • • 2 dashes Angostura

Did you know?

“Jerry Thomas published this cocktail in his 1862 guide; despite its name, it reflects almond‑liqueur fashion rather than Japanese origin.”

Source:Jerry Thomas archives; Imbibe

Bartender's Note

Use high‑quality orgeat for clean almond flavor.

Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.

How to make the Japanese Cocktail

  1. 1Add cognac, orgeat, and Angostura to a mixing glass filled with ice
  2. 2Stir until well chilled
  3. 3Strain into a coupe
  4. 4Garnish with lemon twist and serve

Drinks similar to Japanese Cocktail

Between the Sheets

Between the Sheets

A split‑base brandy and rum sour with citrus brightness.

Sidecar

Sidecar

A Cognac sour with orange liqueur and lemon juice served up with a sugared or clean rim.

Brandy Flip

Brandy Flip

A spirit-forward flip of brandy, sugar, and whole egg, finished with nutmeg.