Harvard
Cognac and sweet vermouth with bitters and a splash of soda.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 22% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Cognac
- 22.5 ml Sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 15 ml Soda water
- Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 45 ml cognac into the mixing glass
- Pour 22.5 ml sweet vermouth into the mixing glass
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Top with 15 ml soda water
- Garnish
About the Harvard
The vermouth cocktail family. Vermouth reached American bars in the 1860s and 1870s, and bartenders began stirring it with whiskey, gin and brandy. That gave us the Manhattan and the Martinez, the ancestor of the Martini. Drinks in this family are stirred rather than shaken, and they are all about the balance between the spirit and the aromatised wine.
Harvard FAQ
What's in a Harvard?
45 ml cognac, 22.5 ml sweet vermouth, 2 dashes angostura bitters, 15 ml soda water, garnished with lemon twist.
How strong is a Harvard?
About 22% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.8 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is stronger than a glass of wine.
Should I shake or stir a Harvard?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve a Harvard in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
