The Rob Roy

The Rob Roy

Hailing from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, the Rob Roy is an 1894 cocktail that is very spirit forward with a flavorful finish due to the Angostura Bitters. The drink is named after an opera of the time period based on the Scottish folk hero Rob Roy McGregor. Although not an IBA Official Cocktail, the Rob Roy is a solid Scotch Whisky cocktail option that is meany for sipping and casual enjoyment.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Scotch Whisky

• 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

• 3 dashes Angostura Bitters

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spiced

Method:

Stirred over ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished, and served straight up, or mixed in rocks glass, filled with ice.

The Rum Runner

About The Rum Runner

Ah the Rum Runner. A quintessential tropical cocktail, this concoction hails from Islamorada, Florida circa 1950. Created by a bartender using whatever extra ingredients he had lying around, the Rum Runner became a supremely sweet staple of warm-time weather cocktails. The Rum Runner has dozens of variations and recipes, but always features the combination of two types of rums; in our version we prefer silver and dark rum, however coconut, flavored, or spiced rum can also be used.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Light Rum

• 1 oz. Dark Rum

• 1 oz. Blackberry Liqueur

• 1 oz. Banana Liqueur

• 2 oz. Orange Juice

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• Splash Grenadine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:        5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks/Frozen

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Place all ingredients except grenadine in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a hurricane glass or fishbowl. Add a splash of grenadine. Garnish with cherry and a pineapple wedge.

The Kir

About The Kir

 The Kir is a French cocktail that hails from the 19th century. Formerly known as the Blanc-Cassis, the drink was renamed after Mayor Kir of Dijon, Burgundy who would serve this cocktail at his receptions for visiting delegations after World War II. Part of the reason why this cocktail become so popular was that during World War II, the German military removed a large amount of red wine from the country, leaving large reserves of white wine behind. This cocktail was used as a way to use what was available and in excess.  

Ingredients:

• 5 oz. White Wine

• 1 oz. Crème de Cassis

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 3.5 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Add the crème de cassis to the bottom of the glass and add the white wine above it.

The International

About The International

Meet your new favorite cocktail. Classy yet fun, the International is a personal recipe of our resident Lead Mixologist. This cognac and vodka based cocktail is absolutely packed with flavor and delivers a smooth finish. The triple sec and elderflower liqueur mask the “bite” of the primary spirits, creating a delectable and flavor packed finish to your sip. This is one our signature recipes at Empire Mixology and we hope you enjoy it just as much as we do.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Cognac

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Elderflower Liqueur

• ½ oz. Vodka

• Lime Wedge for Garnish

• Lemon Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 5.0 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Sweet

Method:

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Unlike James Bond, stir this one until well chilled and strain into a martini glass.

Empire Tip: Garnish with a lemon twist or olives to your preference.

The Frozen Margarita

About The Frozen Margarita

 The Frozen Margarita is fairly identical to the Official IBA version, with the obvious exception of it now being blended. The frozen version is often more palatable due to its extremely cold temperature and method of creation. The slowly melting ice actually brings out the innate flavors of the tequila, offering a more flavorable finish. Perfect for summer weather and social gatherings, give our recipe a chance and see what you think.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1.5 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• Dash of Simple Syrup

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Lime for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: Margarita

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit

Method:

Add tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and simple syrup to blender with ice. Blend until smooth and pour into salt-rimmed margarita glass. Garnish with lime.

The Cadillac Margarita

About The Cadillac Margarita

 The Cadillac Margarita is the top shelf version of the Margarita. Typically this cocktail recipe employs the use of top-shelf liqueurs such as Grand Marnier and Cointreau. The presence of these liqueurs definitely kicks the quality of the cocktail up, but both ingredients can be substituted if desired; using an orange infused brandy and triple sec respectively. Try the upscale version of the Margarita and see what you think.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Triple Sec (or Cointreau)

• 1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

• Float of Grand Marnier

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: Margarita

• Strength: Strong

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit

Method:

Rim margarita glass with salt and lime. Add tequila, triple sec (or Cointreau), and lime juice to shaker with ice and shake well until chilled. Fill rimmed glass with cracked ice and strain shaker contents into glass. Float Grand Marnier or equivalent.

The Long Island Iced Tea

About The Long Island Iced Tea

 Disclaimer: The following recipe is not the IBA Official Long Island Iced Tea. The following recipe is a custom Empire Mixology Long Island Iced Tea that has been a family hand-down recipe from our multi-generational team of bartenders and mixologists. In contrast to the “official” recipe, the Empire recipe tones down the tequila and gin, while adding more rum. Also, a splash of rye is introduced to cut the harsh flavor of the tequila and gin and create a much smoother finish. This recipe is an Empire Mixology recipe that has never left an upset customer.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1¼ oz. Rum

• ¾ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• Splash of Rye Whiskey

• 4½ oz. Sour Mix

• Splash of Coca Cola

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 5 Stars

• Served: On the Rocks

• Strength: Strong

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor: Sweet

Method:

Build ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, except for the coca cola. Gently shake a few times to chill ingredients. Pour with ice into highball or pint glass. Add splash of coke and stir gently. Add lemon wedge and cherry as garnish. The color should be pale brown, similar to iced tea. If the drink is too dark then too much coke has been added.

The Sex on the Beach

About The Sex on the Beach

The IBA Contemporary Classic, the Sex on the Beach. This cocktail has been going strong for decades as a summer classic and cult favorite. Despite the provocative name, this cocktail is surprisingly smooth and sweet as the juices combine to eliminate the sharp bite of vodka. Easily enjoyed during a hot summer day or a night out with friends, this versatile recipe is an essential to keep in your toolkit and should be able to be ordered anywhere you go. We’ve also thrown in a shot-version recipe just for fun!

Ingredients:

For Cocktail Version:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Peach Schnapps

• Equal parts Orange Juice & Cranberry Juice

For Shot Version:

• 1 part Vodka

• ½ part Peach Schnapps

• Splash of Orange Juice

• Splash of Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Build all ingredients in highball glass with fresh ice. Pour vodka and schnapps first, then orange juice and then cranberry juice. Garnish with choice of orange slice or lemon with maraschino cherries.

For the shot version, shake ingredients lightly in shaker with ice and then strain into shot glass.

The Americano

About The Americano

Fun Fact: What was the first drink ever ordered by James Bond? It’s the Americano. Originating from Caffe Campari in the 1860s, the Americano is named due to the fact many American citizens in the region at the time seemed to enjoy the cocktail, and the nickname stuck. The Americano is a rather bitter cocktail that is enjoyed casually as an afternoon drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Campari

• 1 oz. Red Vermouth

• Fill Soda Water

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Pour Campari and vermouth into old fashioned glass with ice. Add soda water to taste and garnish with orange slice.

The Stinger

About The Stinger

You may not be familiar this one, but back in its heyday the Stinger was a popular evening beverage. Famous drinkers include Cary Grant and your idol and mine; James Bond. The Stinger used to be known as an evening drink or even as a hangover cure (yuck!). The Stinger is a fairly powerful cocktail that is typically drank slowly to avoid it, well, stinging you.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Cognac

• 1/2 oz. White Crème de Menthe

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Pour ingredients into mixing glass with ice and stir gently. Strain into martini glass or into rocks glass with ice if preferable.

The Godfather

About The Godfather

Featuring our good friends at the Lost Distillery Company, we bring you something you cannot refuse; the Godfather Cocktail. This IBA Official Cocktail is thought to be one of Marlon Brando’s a.k.a. Don Vito Corleone favorite cocktails. The combination of strong Scotch Whisky and Italian Amaretto creates a smoother taste than you might expect. The sweetness of the Amaretto cuts the bite of the Scotch and as the ice melts, the innate flavors of the spirits are brought to light. A perfect sipping drink, this is a great beginner Scotch drink.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Scotch Whisky

• 1.5 oz. Amaretto

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:     4.5 Stars

• Served:     On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:      Sweetly Strong

Method:

Pour both spirits into old fashioned glass with ice. Stir gently.

The Brave Bull

About The Brave Bull

If you’re in need of a real pick-me-up, look no further than the Brave Bull. This cocktail is for those with a strong palette as the dominating tastes of tequila and Kahlúa are in full force. The Kahlúa coffee taste does lessen the overall “sting” of the tequila but does nothing to mask the flavor. This is a morning cocktail that must be enjoyed slowly.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Tequila

• ½ oz. Kahlúa

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Strong

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Strong/Coffee

Method:

Pour tequila and Kahlúa into old fashioned glass with ice. Stir gently.

The Kangaroo

About The Kangaroo

Meet the Vodka Martini. It’s technically a Kangaroo Cocktail by trade, however vodka has nominally replaced Gin in the classic recipe seen here. The favorite of James Bond and others, the Vodka Martini is not a traditional Martini according to most purists. The cocktail is meant to be stirred and not shaken, contrary to the popular quote. This recipe is very popular in the modern US cocktail scene and is likely to always remain a symbol of class and elegance.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka

• .5 oz. Dry Vermouth

• 1 Cocktail Olive/Lemon Twist

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:   Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Add all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Just like the Martini, stir this one until well chilled and strain into a martini glass.

Empire Tip: Garnish with a lemon twist or olives to your preference.

The Fallen Froggie

About The Fallen Froggie

Meet the far eastern cousin of the Brain Hemorrhage shot, the Fallen Froggie. Also known as the Squished Frog, this visually……interesting shot is packed with flavor and isn’t too strong since the alcoholic ingredients are low proof. Arguably sweeter than the original recipe, and typically always more sweet than its other cousin the Alien Brain Hemorrhage, the Fallen Froggie is a an interesting way to start off a night or keep the party going. The flavor is a meld of sweet melon, pomegranate, peach, and Irish cream. Note the consistency is NOT smooth and the grenadine and cream combine to make the shot thick.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Peach Schnapps

• Dash of Melon Liqueur

• Float Irish Cream

• Drop of Grenadine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Straight

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Medium

• Flavor:        Chunky Melon

Method:

Build shot as listed. First pour Schnapps and Melon Liqueur into glass and then float Irish Cream using the back of a bar spoon. Drop a single drop of Grenadine into the shot. This pulls the Irish Cream down, forming the cloud.

Empire Tip: Try our original recipe too! See which version you enjoy best!

The Between The Sheets

About The Between The Sheets

The cousin of the Sidecar, the IBA Classic Between the Sheets is a product of Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France. There’s also claims it was invented in French brothels or rival hotels. This is a spirit forward cocktail that exudes class and a taste for vintage drinks. Order this at your local bar to impress the mixologist and the friends in your company.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Cognac

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• .5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:  Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

The Kamikaze

About The Kamikaze

This contemporary classic hails from the fabled 1970s Disco Days, and is an easy to make and effective party starter. There are numerous variations to this cocktail, however we think it best to present this classic recipe which grants a citrus flavor. The name of this drink translates to the word “Divine Wind.”

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Vodka

• 1 part Triple Sec

• 1 part Lime Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Add all ingredients to a shaker and fill with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass or shot glass.

The Alien Brain Hemorrhage

About The Alien Brain Hemorrhage

A variant of the Brain Hemorrhage shot, the Alien Brain Hemorrhage adds a different spin onto the original recipe. This shot hails from the early to mid 2000s and has been gaining popularity over the last few years. Always a crowd pleaser and conversation starter, this shockingly low proof and high flavor shot is perfect to compliment a great night out with friends. Try the original recipe and variant recipes to see which one you like best!

Ingredients:

• 1 part Peach Schnapps

• Dash of Blue Curacao

• Float Irish Cream

• Drop of Grenadine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Straight

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:   Medium

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Build shot as listed. First pour Schnapps and Blue Curacao into glass and then float Irish Cream using the back of a bar spoon. Drop a single drop of Grenadine into the shot. This pulls the Irish Cream down, forming the cloud.

The White Russian

About The White Russian

The Dude abides. The White Russian or known as the “Caucasian” is a 1960s Oakland, CA variation of the IBA Classic Black Russian cocktail. Neither cocktail is actually Russian in origin, but is called Russian due to the primary ingredient being vodka. Originally considered boring and an alcoholic milkshake, the White Russian was almost forgotten had it not been for the movie The Big Lebowski.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Vodka

• .5 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 1 oz. Fresh Cream

• 1 Maraschino Cherry

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Similar to the Black Russian, pour the vodka and coffee liqueur into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Float the cream on top and stir slightly. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

The Dead Nazi

About The Dead Nazi

The only good Nazi may be a dead one, but this shot straight up sucks. Reserve this one for someone who owes you money or your horrible ex because this shot hurts. The mix of two incredibly strong and distinct spirits goes as well as you might think. It’s hard to say any of this is smooth, but the Jägermeister sort of dulls the taste of Rumpleminze. Great party shot if you’re into the whole blacking out and vomiting thing.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Jägermeister

• Fill Rumpleminze

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       2 Stars

• Served:       Straight

• Strength:    Ridiculous

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Gross

Method:

Mix both spirits and strain into shot glass. Good Luck.

The Aviation

About The Aviation

This blast from the past hails from the Hotel Wallick in New York City. The following recipe is NOT the original recipe; it is the accepted IBA Classic recipe as recorded in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. The original recipe calls for Crème de Violette, however the ingredient is often overlooked or skipped entirely as it is not usually stocked.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Gin

• .5 oz. Lemon Juice

• .5 oz. Maraschino Liqueur

• Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Add all ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain into cocktail glass and garnish with cherry.