June 11, 2025
Here’s a cocktail with some fun history behind it. The Harvard goes all the way back to 1895, and yes, it’s actually named after Harvard University. Pretty cool, right? It’s one of those classic drinks that still feels elegant without being over the top.
The recipe is simple. You just need Cognac, sweet vermouth, a few dashes of bitters, and a splash of soda water. If you’ve ever had a Manhattan, this is a bit like that but smoother and a little lighter. The soda gives it a refreshing touch, and the Cognac adds that deep, rich flavor we love.
If you’re into old-school drinks or just want to mix up something easy and impressive, the Harvard cocktail recipe is a great one to try. We’ll show you how to make it step by step, along with a few tips to help you get it just right.
What You'll Need to Make a Harvard Cocktail
Let’s get everything ready to make this classic right. With a few solid ingredients and some basic tools, we can pull off a Harvard cocktail that feels smooth, balanced, and a little bit fancy without too much effort.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Here’s what goes into the Harvard cocktail, plus a few easy swaps if we need them:
- Cognac
Adds depth and richness. VSOP is ideal and keeps the drink classic, but a good brandy works too if that’s what we have. - Sweet Vermouth
Balances out the strength. Punt e Mes gives a bold, rich flavor, while Cocchi offers something lighter and brighter. - Angostura Bitters
Brings balance with a touch of spice. Orange bitters are a great option if we want a fruitier twist. - Soda Water
Adds a refreshing fizz and softens the drink’s punch. Club soda works just as well. - Garnish
An orange twist adds a sweet citrus aroma. Lemon zest gives it a sharper, zesty kick. Both bring something special to the glass.
You might also like: 18 Best Vermouth Cocktails You Should Try
Tools You’ll Want on Hand
Before we start mixing, let’s grab a few basic tools to make things easier and get that smooth finish we’re going for:
- Mixing glass
- Bar spoon
- Strainer
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Chilled coupe or cocktail glass
How to Make a Harvard Cocktail
Let’s walk through how we make this classic cocktail at home. It’s simple, smooth, and comes together pretty quickly once we’ve got everything ready.
We start by grabbing our mixing glass and filling it about halfway with fresh ice. Then we pour in the Cognac, sweet vermouth, and a dash or two of Angostura bitters. Some people like to add a little gum syrup for extra smoothness, and we can too if we want a slightly sweeter finish.
Here’s the step-by-step:
- Measure and add the Cognac and vermouth
- Add the bitters and gum syrup if using
- Stir for about 20 seconds until the drink is chilled but not watered down
Once we’re happy with the mix, we strain it into a chilled cocktail glass. No ice should slip through. We want it smooth and clean.
Now for the final touch. We top it with a splash of soda water to add a light, fizzy finish. It makes each sip feel extra refreshing.
For garnish, we can twist a strip of lemon peel over the drink to release its citrus aroma. Drop it in for a clean finish. A cherry works too if we want a more classic look.
And that’s it. We’ve got ourselves a Harvard cocktail that’s easy to mix and even easier to enjoy. You can find the full recipe with exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Variations of the Harvard Cocktail
There’s something fun about taking a classic and making it our own. The Harvard cocktail gives us plenty of room to play with flavors, depending on what we’re in the mood for.
Here are a few easy ways we like to mix things up:
- Adjust the Cognac-to-vermouth ratio
Want it bolder? Try a 2:1 or even 3:1 mix. It brings the Cognac forward and makes the drink smoother and richer. - Skip the soda water
Leaving out the fizz gives the cocktail more of a Manhattan vibe. It feels deeper, stronger, and perfect if we’re in the mood for a no-nonsense sipper. - Switch up the bitters
Swapping Angostura for orange bitters adds a fresh citrus note. It lightens the flavor and gives the drink a brighter edge. - Try small flavor additions
These little tweaks can change the whole feel of the drink:- A splash of maraschino liqueur for a soft cherry finish
- A dash of grenadine for color and sweetness
- A bit of Green Chartreuse for herbal depth
These small changes let us personalize the Harvard cocktail without losing its classic feel. If we’re looking for the original version, we can always come back to the recipe above.
More Cognac-Based Cocktails to Try
If we’ve got Cognac on hand and feel like mixing up something new, here are a few more cocktails worth trying. Each one brings a different vibe, and they’re all great ways to explore what Cognac can do.
- Vieux Carré
- Sidecar
- Delmonico
- Saratoga
- Flushing Cocktail
It’s always fun to switch things up and try something different. Whether we’re feeling classic or curious, these drinks give us more ways to enjoy Cognac at home.
FAQs About the Harvard Cocktail
We can swap Cognac with another quality brandy in a Harvard cocktail.
Cognac comes from France and tends to be smoother and richer, but any well-aged brandy can work if it tastes good.
The key is using a brandy with enough depth and character to stand up to the vermouth.
The Harvard shines with balanced, full-flavored sweet vermouths like Cocchi di Torino, Punt e Mes, or Carpano Antica.
Each brand changes the drink’s sweetness or bitterness, so it’s worth testing what fits our tastes.
Trying new vermouths helps us fine-tune the cocktail to our liking.
Yes, we can leave out soda water, but the drink becomes much more like a Brandy Manhattan.
Soda gives a Harvard its lightness and fizz, making it less heavy than other stirred drinks.
The original recipes included soda to make the cocktail easier to sip during social events or long evenings.
The Harvard cocktail lands in the medium-strength range, usually around 18–20% ABV and about 1.4 standard drinks.
Adding soda water lowers the strength a bit compared to spirit-heavy cocktails.
Its balance makes it suited for brunch, pre-dinner, or when we want to sip and linger over a drink.
The Harvard cocktail first showed up in George J. Kappeler’s 1895 Modern American Drinks.
It takes its name from Harvard University and follows a trend of college-themed cocktails like the Yale and Princeton.
Back in the late 1800s, these drinks were often used to celebrate or socialize giving the Harvard a special place in cocktail history.
Harvard Cocktail Recipe
The Harvard cocktail mixes Cognac, sweet vermouth, and bitters for a bold yet smooth flavor. A splash of soda water and a citrus twist keep it light and refreshing. It’s a great pick before dinner or when we’re catching up with friends.
Equipment
- Mixing Glass
- Bar Spoon
- Strainer
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Coupe or cocktail glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz Cognac we like using VSOP or older for a smoother finish
- 1 oz Sweet vermouth Cocchi Vermouth di Torino or Punt e Mes work well
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters or swap in orange bitters for a fruitier touch
- 1 oz Soda water
- 1 dash Gomme syrup or demerara syrup optional
- Orange twist or lemon zest twist for garnish
Instructions
- Add the Cognac, sweet vermouth, bitters, and syrup (if using) to a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir for about 20 seconds. That’s just enough to chill and blend the drink without watering it down.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
- Top with soda water to add a little fizz and lighten the drink.
- Finish with a citrus twist. Squeeze it over the top to release the oils, then drop it in.
Notes
Tips to Make It Even Better
A few small tricks make a big difference:- Use cold soda water straight from the fridge or a soda siphon. It holds the fizz better.
- Choose a richer Cognac if we want more depth and smoothness.
- Stir with larger ice cubes. They melt slower and keep things from getting too diluted.
- Chill the glass before pouring to keep the drink crisp from start to finish.
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