The Angel Face

About The Angel Face

Another Londoner cocktail, the Angel Face appeared at the Savoy Hotel in the 1930s and was published in print that same year. The combination of brandy flavors creates a very fruity, yet strong cocktail. The recipe calls for Calvados© specifically as an ingredient, but can be substituted with apple brandy if not available.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• 1 oz. Apricot Brandy

• 1 oz. Apple Brandy (Calvados©)

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

The Alexander

About The Alexander

A cocktail named the Alexander debuted in 1910 but the version listed below and recognized by the IBA as an official cocktail wasn’t published in print until 1915. A famous after-dinner cocktail, the Alexander is still a popular cocktail in the current mixology scene and is often seen in upscale establishments.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Cognac

• 1 oz. Creme de Cacao

• 1 oz. Light Cream

• Nutmeg for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain contents into a cocktail glass. Sprinkle nutmeg on top and serve.

The Mexicana

About The Mexicana

The Mexicana is a fruity flavored, tequila based cocktail that mirrors a typical tropical style cocktail with a different flavor profile. The pineapple and grenadine flavors help to smooth the boldness of tequila and the citrus lemon also assists with the aftertaste of the spirit. Best enjoyed in the spring and summer and a good pairing for southern-style food.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Silver Tequila

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1 tsp. Grenadine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice until very well chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

The White Lady

About The White Lady

The White Lady is essentially a sidecar made with gin in place of brandy. What makes it different from the simple gin sour is the switching of sugar for triple sec. The cocktail sometimes also includes additional ingredients, for example egg white, sugar, or cream. The classic concoction is most commonly served in a cocktail glass. When an egg white is added a champagne coupe is preferable; the silky foam clings more pleasingly to the curved glass.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• ⅔ oz. Lemon Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into large cocktail glass.

The Mint Julep

About The Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. The Mint Julep originated in the southern United States, during the eighteenth century. The earliest known mentions come from 1770 and include a satirical play by Robert Munford, The Candidate. Further evidence of mint julep as a prescription drink can be found in 1784 Medical Communications: "sickness at the stomach, with frequent retching, and, at times, a difficulty of swallowing. I then prescribed her an emetic, some opening powders, and a mint julep."

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Bourbon

• 2 tsp. Water

• 1 tsp. Powdered Sugar

• 4 Mint Leaves

• Crushed Ice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

In a highball glass gently muddle the mint, sugar and water. Fill the glass with cracked ice, add Bourbon and stir well until the glass is well frosted. Garnish with a mint sprig.

The Suffering Bastard

About The Suffering Bastard

So there are actually two versions of this cocktail but the IBA recognizes the original recipe which is listed below. Trader Vic also created a popular Tiki cocktail using the same name, however it is a tropical juice and rum variant. We chose to mirror the IBA and feature the OG Recipe featuring gin and brandy. This recipe was a “hangover cure” for WWII troops stationed in Egypt.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• 1 oz. Brandy

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

• Top with Ginger Beer

• Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spiced

Method:

Shake everything but ginger beer with ice, pour unstrained into glass, top with ginger beer.

The Hemingway Special

About The Hemingway Special

You can probably imagine whom this cocktail is named after. Whilst staying in Cuba, author Ernest Hemingway tried the local Floridita cocktail and remarked that although he liked it, he preferred no sugar and double the rum. Thusly, the Hemingway Special was born and would in time become a selected IBA Official Cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• ½ oz. Maraschino Liqueur

• 1½ oz. Grapefruit Juice

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass.

The Sidecar

About The Sidecar

The invention of the drink is credited to an American army captain in Paris during World War I and named after the motorcycle sidecar that the captain used. The Sidecar cocktail is a highly customizable cocktail, and it serves as the launch point for several sister cocktails similar in design.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Cognac

• ¾ oz. Triple Sec

• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice

• Orange Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Add all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into large cocktail glass.

The Canchanchara

About The Canchanchara

This interestingly named cocktail is a 2020 IBA Official Cocktail from the New Era. Hailing from island nation of Cuba, the Canchanchara is supposed to feature Cuban Aguardiente which is kind of a generic alcoholic drink. We chose to use Rum, since that makes more sense.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Rum

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• ½ oz. Honey

• 1½ oz. Water

• Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Lime

Method:

Mix honey with water and lime juice and spread the mixture on the bottom and sides of the glass. Add cracked ice, and then the rum. End by energetically stirring from bottom to top.

The Tuxedo

About The Tuxedo

Related to the martini, the Tuxedo has had many variations since its inception in the 1880s. The cocktail is named after the Tuxedo Club in Orange County, New York where it was first mixed. Tuxedo Park, the planned community where the club was built, is itself a derivation of the Lenape word tucseto. The form of menswear by the same name originated at the same country club around the same time.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• 1 oz. Dry Vermouth

• ½ barspoon Maraschino Liqueur

• ¼ barspoon Absinthe

• 3 Dashes Orange Bitters

• Cherry and Lemon Zest for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and a twist of lemon zest.

The Brandy Crusta

About The Brandy Crusta

First published in 1862, the Brandy Crusta is a throwback to a bygone era of cocktails. The Brandy Crusta all but vanished from the cocktail scene near the Prohibition period but has recently began a revival in New Orleans. The Crusta is an aromatic cocktail that is strongly spirit forward, so make sure to use a brand you enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Brandy

• ¼ oz. Maraschino Liqueur

• 1 Barspoon Curacao

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• 1 Barspoon Simple Syrup

• 2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

• Orange/Lemon Peel for Garnish

• Sugar for Glass Rim

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Mix all ingredients with ice cubes in a mixing glass. Strain into slim cocktail glass rimmed with sugar.

The Yellow Bird

About The Yellow Bird

As usual, the Yellow Bird’s origins are a bit shrouded. The prevailing argument is that the cocktail named after a Haitian song from the era, although an argument exists it is named after one of its signature ingredients; Galliano© Herbal Liqueur. Variations exist that use golden rum instead of silver, however these variations are not recognized by the IBA.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• ½ oz. Galliano© Liqueur

• ½ oz. Triple Sec

• ½ Lime Juice

• Lemon Slice and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Herbal

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice until very well chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

The Texas Tea

About The Texas Tea

Would you look at that, yet another variant of the Long Island Iced Tea! Meet it’s Southern cousin the Texas Tea! Adding a shot of Bourbon changes the flavor profile of this cocktail to be a bit bolder. The color also darkens slightly versus the OG Tea. Truth be told, the Empire Mixology Official Long Island Iced Tea is quite similar to this recipe due to the secret ingredient we use. (Check it out if you haven’t already!)

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1¼ oz. Rum

• ¾ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Bourbon Whiskey

• 4½ oz. Sour Mix

• Splash of Coca Cola

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit

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 Martinez

About The Martinez

The Martinez is a classic cocktail that is widely regarded as the direct precursor to the Martini. It serves as the basis for many modern cocktails, and several different versions of the original exist. These are generally distinguished by the accompaniment of either Maraschino or Curacao, as well as differences in gin or bitters. The exact origin is unclear but it is widely agreed that it appeared before the 1900s.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• 1½ oz. Sweet Vermouth

• 1 Barspoon Maraschino Liqueur

• 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters

• Lemon Zest for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Stirred over ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished, and served up.

The Lemon Drop

About The Lemon Drop

This San Francisco born cocktail originated in the 1970s and is both available in the martini style and shot form. This cocktail is a great balance of sweet and sour and is light, crisp, and refreshing. Highly recommended as a summertime cocktail, the Lemon Drop is a perfect sipping cocktail. Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended to enhance the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Lemon Vodka

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Citrus

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sugar rim around the glass.

The Clover Club

About The Clover Club

The Clover Club dates back to the pre-Prohibition era in Philadelphia. The cocktail itself is named after the Gentlemen’s Club of the same name and first appeared in print around the year 1917. The cocktail has somewhat fallen out of favor due to its use of a raw egg white which has all but vanished from the mainstream cocktail scene today.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Raspberry Syrup

• 1 Egg White

• Lemon Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Dry shake ingredients to emulsify, add ice, shake and served straight up.

The John Collins

About The John Collins

Debuting in 1869’s Steward and Barkeeper's Manual . Some cocktail historians also pinpoint popular cocktails similar in composition in New York City a decade earlier. The Tom Collins variation appeared a few decades later and used Old Tom style Gin (hence the name change). The John Collins is a true classic in the world of mixology.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• Fill Carbonated Water

• Dash of Angostura Bitters

• Lemon Wedge and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour all ingredients directly into highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently. Garnish. Add a dash of Angostura bitters.

The Southside

About The Southside

The origins of the Southside are up to debate, some credit the origins to the South Shore of Long Island, NY to a club bearing the same name; whereas others attribute the cocktail to the South Side of Chicago and the gang of Al Capone.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. London Dry Gin

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 Drop of Egg White (optional)

• 5-6 Mint Leaves

• Orange Zest and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Shake well with ice and double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass