The Dragon Fruit Margarita

About The Dragon Fruit Margarita

The Dragon Fruit Margarita is a bold and vibrant twist on the classic margarita, blending the tangy brightness of fresh lime juice with the tropical sweetness of dragon fruit—either puréed or infused—paired with tequila and a touch of orange liqueur. Its vivid pink hue and exotic flavor profile make it as eye-catching as it is refreshing. Often served over ice and finished with a salted or chili-lime rim, this modern margarita variation brings a splash of tropical flair to any occasion, perfect for summer sipping or adding a colorful highlight to cocktail menus.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 oz. Dragon Fruit Juice

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Dragonfruit for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Plain

Method:

To make juice, hollow out two red dragon fruit and place fruit into blender. Blend on high for 30-60 seconds. Strain through fine mesh strainer and discard solids.

Blend all ingredients with ice until well mixed. Strain into margarita glass rimmed with salt.

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The Dragon Fruit Margarita is garnished with a striking slice of dried dragon fruit from Bar Necessities Co., adding vibrant color and a touch of tropical elegance. Explore their full line of premium garnishes at https://www.barnecessities.co/.

The Frosé

The Frosé

Meet the pinnacle of our Valentine’s Day cocktail series. The Frosé is a fun and flavorful cocktail that includes perennial favorite rosé wine and the fruity flavors of fresh watermelon and strawberries. This cocktail is perfect for date night or just keeping cool in the summer heat as well. There’s nothing quite like the combination of sweet watermelon and tart strawberry. We originally used Castello del Poggio’s Sweet Rosé line for this recipe. We highly recommend using fresh fruit and freezing it yourself to guarantee ingredient quality, however the store-bought frozen fruit works just as well. Try our luxurious libation recipe and keep cool in the heat and have fun that can’t be beat.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Rosé Wine to (preference)

• 1 cup frozen watermelon

• 1 cup frozen strawberries

• 2 tablespoons sugar

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Add more ice for a thicker consistency. Serve immediately garnished with fresh fruit.

The Missionary's Downfall

About The Missionary's Downfall

The Missionary’s Downfall is a lush, garden-fresh tiki cocktail that blends tropical fruit with cooling herbs for a uniquely refreshing experience. This vintage classic combines mint leaves, light gold rum, peach schnapps, honey syrup, pineapple juice, and fresh lime juice, resulting in a smooth, slightly sweet drink with vibrant herbal and stone fruit notes. Blended or shaken and served over crushed ice, it’s a low-proof, flavor-packed cocktail that showcases the softer side of tiki; bright, breezy, and impossibly easy to sip.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Light Gold Rum

• ½ oz. Peach Schnapps

• 1⁄3 oz. Honey Syrup

• ½ oz. Pineapple Juice

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• 13 Mint Leaves

• Mint and Pineapple for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Add all ingredients into a blender with 3/4 cup of ice and blend for about 20 seconds. Pour into a Collins glass and garnish with mint and pineapple.

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The Missionary’s Downfall is beautifully elevated with a vibrant dried pineapple garnish from Bar Necessities Co., lending an inviting tropical aroma and stunning visual detail. Discover their artisan garnish collection at https://www.barnecessities.co/.

The Chartreuse Swizzle

About The Chartreuse Swizzle

The Chartreuse Swizzle is a vibrant, tropical-meets-herbal cocktail that delivers bold complexity in a refreshingly cool format. Built with Green Chartreuse (or a similar herbal liqueur), falernum, pineapple juice, and fresh lime juice, this swizzle-style drink balances intense botanical notes with sweet spice and bright citrus. Served over crushed ice in a tall glass and gently swizzled until frosty, the result is a layered, invigorating cocktail that’s as visually striking as it is flavor-packed; perfect for warm-weather sipping or impressing with tiki elegance.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Green Chartreuse

• ½ oz. Falernum

• 1½ oz. Pineapple Juice

• ¾ oz. Fresh Lime Juice

• Pineapple Wedge, Grated Nutmeg, Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Crushed Ice

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Fill a Collins glass with crushed ice about halfway and add ingredients. Swizzle glass and add more ice. Garnish accordingly.

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This Chartreuse Swizzle is elegantly finished with a premium dried pineapple garnish from Bar Necessities Co., adding a sweet, tropical touch and beautiful visual appeal. Check out their full garnish collection at https://www.barnecessities.co/.

The Don’s Special Daiquiri

About The Don’s Special Daiquiri

Don’s Special Daiquiri is a tropical, rum-forward creation that showcases the depth of Caribbean flavors with a balanced and exotic flair. Crafted with a blend of Gold Jamaican rum and Cuban rum, this cocktail is elevated by the tangy sweetness of passion fruit syrup, the brightness of fresh lime juice, and the smooth richness of honey syrup. The result is a vibrant, refreshing drink with layers of tropical fruit, citrus zing, and warm rum character—true to the tiki tradition pioneered by Don the Beachcomber.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gold Jamaican Rum

• 1/2 oz Cuban Rum

• 1/2 oz Passion Fruit Syrup

• 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

• 1/2 oz. Honey Syrup

• Passion Fruit Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Crushed Ice

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Blend for a few seconds in a milkshake mixer with crushed ice and pour into a footed coupe glass.

Fill the glass with more crushed ice.

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The Don’s Special Daiquiri cocktail is topped with a stunning dried lime wheel from Bar Necessities Co.—bringing visual flair and citrus aroma to every pour. Visit them at https://www.barnecessities.co/.

The Banana Boat

About The Banana Boat

The Banana Boat is a Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada with the taste of banana. This dessert mocktail is very sweet and should be blended to properly incorporate all the flavors together. We recommend serving this cocktail in a margarita glass or highball. If being served to children we recommend limiting to one or two servings, as the acidic pineapple and base milk may upset some tummys.

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana

• 3 parts Milk

• 1 part Coconut Cream

• 1 part Pineapple Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: Frozen

• Strength: Non-Alcoholic

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Sweet Banana

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and then present.

The Rocket Fuel

About The Rocket Fuel

The Rocket Fuel is a recipe near and dear to me, due to the fact I got started on Long Island and this cocktail hails directly from my hometown area. Whereas the Long Island Iced Tea is the nationally reknown cocktail of Long Island, New York; the Rocket Fuel is the favorite of the residents of Long Island, specifically Fire Island, New York. Empire Mixology recognizes the birthplace of the Rocket Fuel at CJ’s in Ocean Beach and although many different recipes and unique spins on the recipe can be found on every corner of Ocean Beach and Ocean Bay Park; we prefer the O.G. recipe.

Keep in mind that this cocktail is a more powerful version of the classic Pina Colada. The Pineapple Juice and Amaretto do well to keep the highly alcoholic 151 burn in check, but this cocktail can and will sneak up on you. Enjoy this cocktail on a hot summer’s day or at the beach, but limit yourself to a max of three.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. 151 Proof Rum

• 1½ oz. Cream of Coconut

• 3 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1 oz. Amaretto

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:        4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Strong

• Difficulty:    Medium

• Flavor:        Tropical

Method:

Blend Coconut, Pineapple Juice, and 151 Proof Rum in blender with ice. Should be a smooth texture so add ice as needed. Float Amaretto on top using bar spoon. Garnish with cherry.

The Beach Comber

About The Beach Comber

This variation of the Daiquiri was invented in 1947 and was included in the Trader Vic Bartender’s Guide. Although erroneously attributed to Don the Beachcomber due to the closeness in name, it was his friendly tiki rival Trader Vic that concocted this recipe. Sweet in flavor and strong in alcohol content, this cocktail is a crowd pleaser and is best served frozen to smooth out the alcohol. Modern iterations have altered the contents and prefer to keep it on the rocks instead of frozen.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• ¾ oz. Triple Sec

• ¾ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 Dashes of Maraschino Liqueur

• ½ tsp. of Simple Syrup

• 1 Cup of Ice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until well mixed. Pour into chilled martini glass.

The Bay City Bomber

About The Bay City Bomber

The Bay City Bomber is a fun frozen cocktail reminiscent of a Long Beach Iced Tea. The alcohol composition mirrors a Long Island Iced Tea with an addition of 151 Proof Rum. The combination of three fruit juices helps to dull the strong alcohol content in taste and creates a sweet summer frozen cocktail. This cocktail can be made in bulk as well for a pitcher or for multiple servings, just remember to keep the 151 separate to add as a float later.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Silver Rum

• ½ oz. Tequila

• ½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Triple Sec

• ¼ oz. 151 Proof Rum (float)

• 1 oz. Orange Juice

• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1 oz. Cranberry Juice

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• 1 tsp. Sugar

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:        4 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Strong

• Difficulty:    Medium

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Add ingredients with one scoop of ice (minus 151 Proof Rum). Blend until smooth and pour into desired glass. Float 151 Proof Rum using a bar spoon. Garnish with orange and/or lemon slice and cherry.

The Big Chill

About The Big Chill

The Big Chill is a variant of the famous Pina Colada that features the addition of various fruit juices. This changes the palette of the cocktail to a slightly fruitier flavor more indicative of non-frozen island style cocktails. This cocktail is perfect for a hot and sunny evening when you need something to cool you down.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Dark Rum

• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1 oz. Cranberry Juice

• 1 oz. Orange Juice

• 1 oz. Cream of Coconut

• 1 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream

• Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Blend ingredients with 1 scoop of ice cream. Serve in 12 oz pilsner glass with a pineapple or cherry garnish.

The Mudslide

About The Mudslide

Meet the ultimate boozy milkshake; the Mudslide. This internationally renown dessert cocktail packs a powerful chocolatey punch with a moderate alcohol content. Traditionally made in a non-frozen variant, we at Empire Mixology prefer the addition of the vanilla ice cream to create that dessert like feel and smooth out the blending of the spirits.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• 1½ oz. Irish Cream

• 1½ oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz. Creme de Cacao

• 2 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream

• Shaved Chocolate/Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Chocolate

Method:

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until well mixed. Drizzle chocolate syrup into serving glass. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings/sprinkles.

The Mississippi Mud

About The Mississippi Mud

The Mississippi Mud is a dessert cocktail featuring coffee flavored liqueur and Southern Comfort© as the spirits of choice. These ingredients are then blended with vanilla ice cream to create a cocktail glass sized smoothie. The presentation and taste of this cocktail is among the best of all dessert cocktails.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Southern Comfort©

• 1½ oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 2 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream

• Shaved Chocolate for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Coffee Ice Cream

Method:

Blend until smooth and pour into a cocktail glass Garnish with shaved chocolate.

The Death by Chocolate

About The Death by Chocolate

Let’s see if that sweet tooth can stand up to this delectable delight. This recipe is HEAVY on the chocolate so prepare yourself for this one. Although not entirely one dimensional on the flavor, the addition of a coffee based liqueur adds a bit to the flavor profile and creates a more palette pleasing finish. This is one indulgent summer frozen recipe that’s sure to be a big crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Creme de Cacao

• 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz. Chocolate Syrup

• 2 Scoops Chocolate Ice Cream

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Whipped Cream and Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Chocolate

Method:

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until well mixed. Drizzle chocolate syrup into serving glass. Garnish with whipped cream and cherry.

The Sgroppino

About The Sgroppino

This Italian cocktail that is bizarrely close to my own last name is a popular dessert cocktail that hails from the Venice region of Italy. A picturesque cocktail that is light and crisp, this recipe has grown past the borders of Italy and can be found throughout the world. Prosseco would be the ideal sparkling wine to use as it would be authentic to the region of Italy rather than using the French spirit of Champagne. (Although it’s up to you).

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Champagne/Prosecco

• 1 oz. Chilled Vodka

• Scoop of Lemon Sorbet

• Fresh Mint for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Pour the champagne/prosecco and vodka into two champagne flutes, dividing equally. Spoon a scoop of sorbet into each flute. Sprinkle with mint and serve.

The Blue Hawaiian

About The Blue Hawaiian

A knockoff of the Blue Hawaii, the Blue Hawaiian is more of a Pina Colada with Blue Curacao added. The cocktail was created in the 1960s although the exact origin is unknown. It has also been suggested that Don the Beachcomber, the inventor of Tiki Culture created the Blue Hawaiian. It can be enjoyed blended or on the rocks, although we prefer it to be frozen since it is close in composition to the Pina Colada.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 oz. Cream of Coconut

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• Pineapple Wedge & Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen/On the Rocks

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

For the On the Rocks version mix all ingredients in a mixing glass until well integrated. Pour into ice filled cocktail glass.

For the Frozen version add all ingredients in a blender with fresh ice. Blend until well smooth.

The Strawberry Daiquiri

About The Strawberry Daiquiri

The all time champion of the Frozen Daiquiri contest, the Strawberry Daiquiri is a year round and summertime favorite. The flavor of strawberry compliments well with lime and rum to create a super sweet profile that is then turned into a frozen delight.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Silver Rum

• 1½ oz. Lime Juice

• 1½ oz. Simple Syrup

• ½ Cup of Fresh or Frozen Strawberries

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Fresh Strawberry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Strawberry

Method:

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until well mixed. Pour into chilled glass and garnish.

The Strawberry Margarita

About The Strawberry Margarita

Delving into the world of flavored Margaritas, we bring you the Strawberry Margarita. This recipe can be served frozen or on the rocks like a traditional Margarita. Our recommendation is to make this recipe frozen, as it helps to smooth the flavors together and create an easy finish. You could substitute the salt rim for a sugar rim although it doesn’t typically work with tequila that well.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1½ oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• ½ Cup of Fresh or Frozen Strawberries

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Strawberry Slices for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Strawberry

Method:

Blend all ingredients with ice until well mixed. Strain into margarita glass rimmed with salt.

The Lava Flow

About The Lava Flow

Two of the most popular frozen cocktails in the world are the Pina Colada and the Strawberry Daiquiri; so there was an idea that asked, what if we could combine them? The answer to that question is the Lava Flow. The red of the strawberries used in the recipe represent the “lava” taking over the white of the Pina Colada. This visually pleasing dessert cocktail has many many variations and we suggest using our recipe as a starting point for your own perfect recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• 2½ oz. Cream of Coconut

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 2 oz. Strawberries

• 1 Small Banana

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Blend the strawberries and the rum together until well blended. Pour into serving glass. Clean blender and add banana, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and at least 1 cup of ice and blend until smooth. Pour this mix into the serving glass slowly to get visual effect.

The Frozen Daiquiri

About The Frozen Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is constantly altered when frozen to add certain fruit finishes or ingredients. The reason behind this methodology for daiquiris and margaritas is that the fruit and alcohol is actually smoothed out by the frozen presentation. The original Daiquiri flavor can stand on its own when frozen as well. The compliment of lime and rum is a time honored combination and it continues in this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Silver Rum

• 1½ oz. Lime Juice

• 1½ oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Add ingredients to a blender and blend until well mixed. Pour into chilled glass.

The Peach Margarita

About The Peach Margarita

The Peach Margarita is more subtle flavored Margarita option than its counterparts like the boldly flavored Strawberry Margarita. This is due to the inherent smooth sweetness of peaches verses something more tart like strawberries or blueberries. Some recipes will opt to use fresh peaches whereas other recommendations include strictly using peach schnapps. The truth of the matter is that the natural sweetness of a fresh peach is actually well complimented by the artificial flavored peach schnapps; so the trick is to use both!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Peach Schnapps

• ½ oz. Triple Sec

• ¼ oz. Lime Juice

• 1 Medium-sized Peach; Skinned & Pitted.

• 1 Cup of Ice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Peach Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Peach

Method:

Blend all ingredients with ice until well mixed. Strain into margarita glass rimmed with salt.