East India Cocktail recipe
A rich brandy sour enhanced by pineapple syrup, curaçao, and aromatic bitters.
Method: Shake and fine strain ·
Glass: Chilled coupe glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Sidecar Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Cognac or brandy
- 1 tsp Orange curaçao
- 1 tsp Pineapple syrup
- 2 dashes Maraschino liqueur
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
How to make a East India Cocktail
- Combine cognac, orange curaçao, pineapple syrup, maraschino liqueur, and Angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously for twelve to fifteen seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Fine strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
- Express the oils from a fresh lemon peel over the surface and garnish with a brandied cherry.
Garnish
Garnish with a brandied cherry and an expressed lemon peel.
Pro tip
Ensure genuine pineapple syrup is used rather than simple sugar infused with artificial flavoring to capture the authentic vintage profile. Adjust the proportion of bitters slightly if your brandy is particularly oak-forward.
History of the East India Cocktail
The East India Cocktail first appeared in print during the late nineteenth century, notably documented in early cocktail manuals such as O.H. Byron's 1884 guide and later popularized by Harry Craddock's 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. While frequently attributed to British colonial influences in India, historians debate whether the drink originated within elite clubs in Calcutta or among transatlantic travelers. This sophisticated preparation bridges the classic brandy sour framework with exotic modifiers like pineapple syrup and maraschino, reflecting the growing global trade of tropical ingredients during the Victorian era.
Flavour profile
rich, citrusy, spicy, fruity
Variations
- East India No. 2 — Substitutes raspberry syrup for pineapple syrup and adds a dash of orange juice.
- Caribbean Brandy Crusta — Swaps cognac for aged rum and adds a sugared rim with a fresh lemon twist.
Practise making the East India Cocktail in the free Virtual Bar game.