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Harvard

The Harvard is a spirit-forward cocktail made with Cognac, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters and Simple Syrup. It is stirred and served in a cocktail glass, about 23% ABV.

Method
Stirred
Glass
Cocktail glass
Served
Neat/Up
Strength
About 23% ABV
Family
Spirit-forward
Listed in
Difford's Guide Hall of Fame

Ingredients

How to make it

  1. Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Tip: Stir with plenty of cold, hard ice for 20 to 30 seconds. You want it chilled and silky, not cloudy.

About the Harvard

An 1890s classic, and a cognac drink rather than a gin or whiskey one. Its Ivy League rival, the Yale Cocktail, is made with gin.

Missing something?

  • No Cognac? Use Brandy (Cognac is a grape brandy; any decent brandy works)
  • No Cognac? Use Pisco (Unaged and more floral)
  • No Sweet Vermouth? Use Punt e Mes (Noticeably more bitter)
  • No Angostura Bitters? Use Peychaud's Bitters (Lighter, with more anise)
  • No Simple Syrup? Use Rich Simple Syrup (More concentrated, so use less)
  • No Simple Syrup? Use Sugar (1 tsp sugar is about 7.5 ml syrup; stir until dissolved)

All swaps for Cognac, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters and Simple Syrup

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