The Paloma

About The Paloma

Meet the popular Mexican cocktail that is enjoyed all over the world. This grapefruit and lime flavored juice cocktail is perfect on a hot sunny day. The range of garnishes available for the Paloma include lime, grapefruit slices, kosher salt, among other options. The Paloma is similar in composition to the Greyhound but adds a few other steps to make itself unique.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Tequila

• 3 oz. Grapefruit Juice

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 Tbsp. Simple Sugar

• Fill Soda Water

• Lime & Grapefruit Slices and/or salt for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build all ingredients in mixing glass minus club soda and stir well. Pour into ice filled and salt rimmed glass and top with club soda and garnishes.

The Sea Breeze

About The Sea Breeze

The Sea Breeze is an offshoot of the Cape Codder and the Salty Dog and has undergone many recipe changes in the last 100 years. Originally containing Gin, Brandy, and Grenadine; it would evolve a few more times until the 1960s when the modern recipe came into favor. The Sea Breeze, Cape Codder, and Bay Breeze were amongst the most popular cocktails of the 1960s and 1970s before becoming generic cocktails and base recipes for further variations.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Grapefruit Juice

• 4 oz. Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

The Caribou Lou

About The Caribou Lou

The Caribou Lou is a hip-hop inspired cocktail that features the infamous 151-Proof Rums. This cocktails is sweet but strong. The citrus of the pineapple juice does wonders to mask the harsh bite of the overproof rum and the coconut rum is also able to smooth out the finish a tad bit. Buyer beware however, this drink sneaks up on you in the worst way.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. 151-Proof Rum

• 1.5 oz. Coconut Rum

• 6 oz. Pineapple Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweetly Strong

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into highball glass with fresh ice.

The Paralyzer

About The Paralyzer

The Paralyzer is a cocktail that’s meant to make you stop in your tracks and think about the ingredients. A rare category of drinks combine milk and soda, and this is one of those cocktails. The flavor profile is quite diverse, combining coffee, cola, milk, and vodka flavors. The cocktail goes down fairly smooth and is certainly an eye opener at the bar.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 2½ oz. Cola

• Splash of Milk

• Lemon Wedge & Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Coffee

Method:

Stir Cola, Coffee Liqueur, and Vodka together. Add splash of milk and garnish.

The Sloe Comfortable Screw

About The Sloe Comfortable Screw

A fun and awkward cocktail to order at a crowded bar, the Sloe Comfortable Screw is an offshoot of the former IBA Classic, The Screwdriver. The addition of Southern Comfort© and Sloe Gin create a sweeter finish with a bit of extra kick. This cocktail is a perfect brunch or early afternoon drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Southern Comfort©

• ½ oz. Sloe Gin

• Fill Fresh Orange Juice

• Orange Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Stir until well mixed.

The Trash Can

About The Trash Can

Meet the party starter and the party ender. The Trash Can is essentially as it sounds; a concoction that combines seven spirits and an energy drink. The combination of alcohol and the energy drink basically puts your body into overdrive whilst also slowing it down, creating a fairly nightmarish situation inside of you. This recipe is a Long Island Iced Tea on steroids, we recommend not wasting your time creating the Long Island component from scratch since the schnapps and energy drink will mask the alcohol anyway. (Pre-Mix Long Island is the way to go on this one).

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Long Island Iced Tea (Pre-Made)

• 1½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 oz. Peach Schnapps

• 1 Red Bull© Energy Drink

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Death

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Like Everything

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Pour Red Bull© to mix. Technically, you should crush the can into the drink and keep it there (so it fills the glass as it empties).

The Hairball

About The Hairball

The affectionately named Hairball cocktail is a combination of the Snakebite, Black and Tan, and Irish Car Bomb cocktails. Featuring a mixture of Hard Cider and Lager Beer, this recipe is slightly smoother than the Black & Tan. This recipe is going to be all about your choice of cider, beer, and whiskey.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Hard Cider

• 1 part Lager- style Beer

• 1½ oz. Irish Whiskey

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Strong

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Combine Hard Cider and Lager Beer in a pint glass and drop the shot of whiskey into the glass. Chug responsibly.

The Bay Breeze

About The Bay Breeze

The sister cocktail of the Sea Breeze; the Bay Breeze substitutes Pineapple Juice into its recipe, replacing the Grapefruit Juice of the Sea Breeze. As with the former, the Bay Breeze became a staple cocktail of the 1960s and into the 1970s. Arguably the Bay Breeze has spawned many more varaints than its older sister cocktail. The Bay Breeze is a sweeter version using the highly flavorful pineapple juice to increase taste and hide alcohol content.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 4 oz. Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wedge.

The Blue Margarita

About The Blue Margarita

Meet the Blue Margarita, which is exactly what it sounds; a margarita that’s blue in color. This simple offshoot variation of the original involves substituting the original Triple Sec in the recipe for Blue Curacao. Despite the visual difference of the liqueurs, they actually have a very similar flavor profile so the taste of this cocktail is only slightly adjusted from the original.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• Orange Wheel & Cherry or Lime for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Margarita

• Strength:    Strong

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Spirit

Method:

Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass rimmed with salt.

The Boulevardier

About The Boulevardier

The 1920s cousin of the Negroni, the Boulevardier is currently enjoying a large revival in the cocktail scene. Invented by an American writer that published a newspaper in Paris known as the “Boulevardier,” this cocktail is an offshoot of fellow IBA cocktail the Negroni with the notable change of gin to bourbon. The substitution creates a different flavor profile and mixes with fellow spirits vermouth and campari to create an entirely new tasting experience.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Bourbon Whiskey

• 1 part Sweet Vermouth

• 1 part Campari

• Orange Peel/Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build ingredients in lowball glass with ice. Stir gently and garnish with an orange peel and/or maraschino cherry.

The Alabama Slammer

About The Alabama Slammer

The Alabama Slammer is a famous cocktail hailing from the 1980s era of mixology. This cocktail features Southern Comfort© which is a type of whiskey in its own class. The combination of the peach pit made SoCo, orange juice, amaretto, and sloe gin creates a powerful and flavorful cocktail that is sure to keep you and your guests coming back for more. The drink was said to be popularized by Hall of Fame Quarterback Brett Farve, but the drink was already a roaring success in the decade prior.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Southern Comfort©

• 1 oz. Amaretto

• ½ oz. Sloe Gin

• 2 oz. Orange Juice

• Orange Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Stir until well mixed.

The Red Sangria

About The Red Sangria

Meet the Empire Mixology Red Sangria. This recipe focuses on the use of red wine (obviously) with various fruits and even a bit of brandy to create that perfect springtime/autumnal wine cocktail. The following recipe is designed for a pitcher although could be scaled down to a single serving as well. Make sure to use YOUR favorite type of red wine as everyone has a unique palette for wine.

Ingredients: (makes a pitcher)

• 1 750mL Bottle of Red Wine

• ½ Cup of Brandy

• 1 Cup Orange Juice

• 8 oz. Club Soda

• ¼ Cup of Granulated Sugar

• 1 Sliced Orange

• 1 Sliced Apple

• 1 Cup of Blueberries

• 1 Cup of Sliced Strawberries

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Stir all ingredients in a pitcher with ice and cut up fruits. Serve chilled and refrigerate after serving.

The Fuzzy Navel

About The Fuzzy Navel

The Fuzzy Navel is yet another hallmark cocktail of the 1980s and was created by notable mixologist Ray Foley. The cocktail is light in alcohol content and easy on the taste due to its flavor profile of peach and orange. This drink can be made into a “Hairy Navel” by adding a shot of vodka into it.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Peach Schnapps

• 4 parts Orange Juice

• Orange Slice for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Stir until well mixed.

The Bee's Knees

About The Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees hails from the Ritz in Paris in the year 1921. The namesake comes from the Prohibition Era where the term “That’s the Bee’s Knees” meant something was great and/or amazing. Frank Meier, the original head bartender at the Ritz is credited with this creation. There are quite a few variations to this recipe, however, the recipe listed below is the IBA Official recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice

• ¾ oz. Honey

• Lemon Wheel for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Gin but Sweet

Method:

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled large cocktail glass

The Horse's Neck

About The Horse’s Neck

Remarkably similar to cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Rye & Ginger; the Horse’s Neck is a cocktail from the late 19th century. Originally a non-alcoholic drink, the addition of originally bourbon was named the Horse’s Neck with a Kick. Brandy later became the premier spirit of choice for this recipe and with the non-alcoholic version falling out of its namesake, the cocktail simply became known as the Horse’s Neck. The addition of bitters is optional, however we highly recommend it, as it strongly diversifies the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Brandy

• 4 oz. Ginger Ale

• Few Dashes of Angostura Bitters

• Lemon Twist for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build Brandy and Ginger Ale in highball/lowball glass with fresh ice. Stir gently. Gently add a few dashes of Angostura Bitters if desired. Garnish with lemon twist.

The French Connection

About The French Connection

The classic French Connection cocktail is the marriage of the famous French Spirit Cognac, and the Italian Liqueur known as Amaretto. Named after the 1971 neo-noir film The French Connection starring Gene Hackman. It can be served on the rocks in a lowball glass or neat in a Brandy Snifter. For www.empiremixology.com purposes we chose the latter, although the lowball version is equally as good.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Cognac

• 2 parts Amaretto

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks or Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice (if in lowball glass). Stir until well mixed.

The Mind Eraser

About The Mind Eraser

Let the worries of your mind just erase with this cocktail. It might even become your new favorite nightcap. The Mind Eraser is a famous cocktail that enjoyed a massive popularity boost in the 1980s and into the 1990s. Although it has slowly fallen out of favor, the Mind Eraser is still a popular party and club cocktail. It can also be served in a larger pitcher with multiple straws.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka

• 2 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• Fill Soda Water

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Coffee

Method:

Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Serve with straw.

The Painkiller

About The Painkiller

Hailing from the British Virgin Islands circa the 1970s, the Painkiller is the trademarked and signature cocktail of Pusser’s Rum Ltd. Therefore, the recipe calls specifically for Pusser’s Rum, however for those unaware of what classification of rum that is, we just listed “dark rum” in our ingredients. The Painkiller was invented at the Soggy Dollar Bar at White Bay on the island of Jost Van Dyke. It has since become one of the more popular tropical drinks and is heavily pushed in August on National Rum Day. This cocktail is a delicious summer styled drink that is a constant fan favorite.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Dark Rum

• 4 oz. PIneapple Juice

• 2 oz. Orange Juice

• 2 oz. Cream of Coconut

• Pinch of Nutmeg

• Shredded Coconut & Honey (For Rimming)

• Pineapple Wedge, Orange Slice, and/or Cherry (For Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Build ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until well mixed. Pour into ice filled and coconut rimmed bowl glass and sprinkle nutmeg on top.