Episode 34 - Eastish East

It’s Fall!  A time when less and less time is spent on the patio and more time is spent inside.  A time when a cocktail slowly changes from a “cooling” influence to a “warming influence.  Fall is also the time when Dave’s thoughts turn to the Far East.  We don’t know why.  The two drinks The Gentlemen of Elegant Leisure are sampling this time around, were suggested by Dave himself, with an Eastern flair.  Both drinks are from Ted Haigh’s book. Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails.  Let’s get started!
 
First up is the East India Cocktail.  Dr. Cocktail writes that there are several recipes for this drink, but this is his preferred version.  What differentiates this from other recipes is the raspberry syrup.  Some others have called for pineapple syrup or a mix of the two.  If it’s good enough for the doctor, it’s more than good enough for us!
 
East India Cocktail
from Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, by Ted Haigh
 
3 ounces brandy
½ ounce raspberry syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters
1 teaspoon orange curacao
1 teaspoon maraschino liqueur
 
Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with a cocktail cherry.

Is that not a wonderful concoction?  Does it not subliminally whisper, “It’s Autumn.  Get inside and drink”?
 
 
 
Next up, is the Japalac Cocktail.  This a major jump to really make this an “Eastern” cocktail.  Japalac, was a varnish made by the Glidden Paint company.  I’m guessing that the drink must look like the varnish.  The drink dates from 1931 and was printed in a book called “Albert Stevens Crockett’s Old Waldorf Bar Days”.  Fortunately, the drink tastes nothing like a paint product and is the perfect complement to the East India Cocktail.  Try them both and have some folks over for a Fall painting party!

The Japalac Cocktail
from Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, by Ted Haigh

Juice of a 1/4 orange
3/4 ounce dry vermouth
3/4 ounce rye whiskey
1 teaspoon raspberry syrup

Combine ingredients in an iced cocktail shaker.  Shaker and strain into a small cocktail glass.  Garnish with an orange twist.

It's delicious right?  It's like summer's last hurrah!  The orange comes through and the raspberry syrup gives the drink that little bit of sweetness. 

Are you still reading this?  Go make these drinks and make sure you leave a comment below!