The Beautiful Sorrow of War and Trade: The East India Cocktail

This classic cocktail is believed to have been invented in the 19th century at London’s East India Club. However, when the recipe for the East India Cocktail first appeared in American cocktail books, its origins sparked much discussion.

As early as the 17th century, certain merchants, supported by Queen Elizabeth I, established the East India Company, which specialized in trade around India and reaped massive profits and power. This allowed British influence to expand continuously.

The term “East India” refers not just to India, but also to areas such as Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, Singapore, and other British colonies. The East India Company’s trade activities in these regions peaked during the Victorian era. It is widely believed that the East India Cocktail, a classic brandy-based drink, was invented during this period to reflect the intense commercial activities Britain engaged in around the Indian subcontinent. This cocktail combined various spirits representing different nations.

It is believed that this classic cocktail was created in the 19th century at London’s East India Club. The club's members were mostly associated with the East India Company or served in the military, including officers who had participated in related campaigns. However, when the cocktail recipe first appeared in an American cocktail book, debates about its true origin were reignited. The first printed recipe for the East India Cocktail appeared in Harry Johnson’s New and Improved Bartender’s Manual, published in 1882.

East India Cocktail Recipe

• 1 teaspoonful of curaçao (red)
• 1 teaspoonful of pineapple syrup
• 2 or 3 dashes of bitters (Boker’s genuine only)
• 2 dashes of maraschino
• 1 wine glass full of brandy (Martell)
• Stir and strain
• Garnish with a cherry or medium-sized olive, and a lemon peel twist

In the 19th century, many hotel bars were opening in the United States, where bartenders served guests from all over the world. These guests included merchants and military men who had participated in East India trade activities. Perhaps a bartender, inspired by the stories shared by these guests, created this cocktail, allowing this classic drink, rich with historical stories and human experiences, to be enjoyed by the public and serve as a reminder of the beautiful yet sorrowful past.