East India

A spirit-forward 19th-century classic built as an "improved" brandy cocktail: Cognac laced with curaçao, maraschino, a whisper of pineapple syrup and aromatic bitters, stirred and strained clean. First printed in Harry Johnson's 1882 Bartenders' Manual — where he noted it as a favorite of the English scattered across the old East India trade routes — it later drifted toward a lighter, juice-based punch in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. The original remains the richer, more contemplative version.

ClassicSpirit-Forward

Ingredients

  • 2 ozCognac
  • 0.25 ozCuraçao
  • 0.25 ozPineapple Syrup
  • 2 dashMaraschino Liqueur
  • 2 dashAngostura Bitters

Garnish: Orange Peel

Preparation

Stirred · Coupe · None

  1. 1.

    add

    Combine Cognac, curaçao, pineapple syrup, maraschino and aromatic bitters in a mixing glass with ice.

  2. 2.

    stir

    Stir until well chilled and diluted.

  3. 3.

    strain

    Strain into a chilled coupe.

  4. 4.

    express

    Express an orange (or lemon) twist over the surface and drop it in.

Flavor Profile

fruity
51%
sweet
37%
body
36%
spiced
26%
viscosity
23%
heat
23%
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