Japanese Cocktail Recipe Forgery SF

Photo Credit: Grace Sager

There are two things no holiday season should be without: cocktails and family. To get you in the mood, we’re turning to one of the oldest family-run spirits companies in France, Rémy Martin. The cognac brand has been making artisanal spirits since 1724—that’s 292 years! Over this period, the brand has only had five cellar masters. Today, thirtysomething Baptiste Loiseau oversees production of the gold-colored liquor that’s aged to perfection in toasted oak barrels. While Rémy Martin makes several types of cognac, the mixologist-preferred bottle is “rounded smooth 1738,” named for the year the French king allowed Rémy Martin to plant new vines.

Photo Credit: Grace SagerA spirit with this kind of past requires an equally historic cocktail preparation. At Forgery, PlumpJack Group’s swanky cocktail lounge in SF’s up-and-coming mid-Market corridor, bartenders Ken Luciano and Jacques Bezuidenhout use Rémy 1738 to stir up a traditional Japanese Cocktail. But there’s nothing Japanese about the libation except its name. This cocktail dates back to the 1860s and simply involves cognac, orange bitters, and orgeat, an almond-flavored syrup. “The Forgery team consistently takes classic flavors and reinterprets them for the modern palate. The Japanese Cocktail is a perfect example of that marriage of old and new. The pairing of flavors like almond and lemon compliments the Rémy Martin beautifully. It’s perfect for a night in by the fire or for your next holiday party,” Rémy Martin’s brand ambassador Dominic Alling says. The superb concoction is an appealing and satisfying cocktail with a caramel color, subtle nutty flavor, and warming quality. Enjoy it with baked oysters before Thanksgiving dinner or after Christmas Eve dinner with a generous slice of chocolate ginger cake. Cheers!

Japanese Cocktail

From Forgery

2 oz. Rémy 1738

½ oz. orgeat syrup

3 dashes orange bitters

Lemon twist

METHOD

Combine the cognac, syrup, and bitters in a cocktail shaker or glass pitcher. Add ice. Stir vigorously until cold. Strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with the lemon twist.

Serve the punch in an elegant dispensary

Photo Credit: Grace Sager

Throwing a party? Whip up a big batch of Between the Sheets. The recipe for this tasty cocktail come from Forgery’s sister nightclub, Verso, and features a potent mixture of 1738, rum, glogg, orange liqueur, lemon juice, and Champagne.

Between the Sheets

From Verso

Oleo Saccharum

575 ml Rémy Martin 1738

600 ml rum

300 ml pineapple gum syrup

105 ml Geijer Glogg

250 ml Mandarin Napoleon

250 ml fresh lemon juice

12 dashes Angostura bitters

1 bottle sparkling wine

Lemon slices, cut in circles (as garnish)

METHOD

Combine all of the ingredients, except the sparkling wine and lemon slices, in a punch bowl or drink dispenser. Stir well to mix the ingredients. Chill until ready to serve. Top with the sparkling wine and lemon slices. Enjoy in a glass over ice.