The Ritz Fizz

About The Ritz Fizz

The Ritz Fizz is a sparkling wine/champagne based cocktail that is named after the Ritz Hotel in Paris, France. It is a classic-styled cocktail with a new era twist; meaning the action of muddling sugar and lemon juice prior to the addition of the spirits is typically a classical mixolology technique, however the addition of Amaretto and Blue Curacao is a more modern twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Amaretto

• ½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 1 tsp. Sugar

• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

• Top with Champagne/Sparkling Wine

• Orange Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Muddle lemon juice and sugar. Then add ice, Amaretto, and Blue Curacao. Shake well and strain into champagne glass. Top with Champagne and garnish.

The Espresso Martini

About The Espresso Martini

This IBA Classic hails from London, England and it is mostly agreed that the official version debuted sometime in the 1980s. There are few variations to this recipe, some including lemon zest or differing proportions of ingredients as well. We recommend using a quality espresso to reach the true flavor profile of this cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 1¾ oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• ½ oz. Strong Espresso

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Coffee

Method:

Pour ingredients into shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into chilled martini glass.

The Vampiro

About The Vampiro

The Mexican National Drink, the Vampiro is a Tequila based variant of the world famous Bloody Mary. The Vampiro is a former IBA Official Cocktail but has since fallen off the list. Although somewhat less preparation than its counterpart, the Vampiro essentially keeps a similar palate for flavor. Experiment with garnishes and slight additives to find the perfect recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Tequila

• 2½ oz. Tomato Juice

• 1 oz. Orange Juice

• 1 tsp. Clear Honey

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• Few Drops Worcestershire Sauce

• Half Slice of Onion, finely chopped

• Few Slices of Red Chili Pepper

• Salt for Garnish

• Orange Slice, Chili Pepper for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Ouch

Method:

Pour ingredients into glass rimmed with salt. Stir.

The Tipperary

About The Tipperary

Named after a town in Southern Ireland, the Tipperary is an Irish twist on the Bijou cocktail that also adds Green Chartreuse in honor of the Irish color. The exact origin of this recipe is unknown as it is new to the cocktail and mixology scene.

Ingredients:

• 1¾ oz. Irish Whiskey

• 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

• ⅓ oz. Green Chartreuse

• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

• Orange Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour all ingredients into mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of orange.

The Last Word

About The Last Word

The Last Word is a gin-based prohibition-era cocktail originally developed at the Detroit Athletic Club. While the drink eventually fell out of favor, it enjoyed a renewed popularity after being rediscovered by the bartender Murray Stenson in 2004 during his tenure at the Zig Zag Café and becoming a cult hit in the Seattle area.

Ingredients:

• ¾ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Maraschino Liqueur

• ¾ oz. Green Chartreuse

• ¾ oz. Lime Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

The Golden Dream

About The Golden Dream

The Golden Dream is an IBA Official Cocktail that originated at the Old King Bar in Miami, Florida in the 1960s and 70s. The cocktail was named after period actress Joan Crawford and experienced a surge in popularity in the late 60s specifically.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• ⅔ oz. Galliano© Liqueur

• ⅔ oz. Triple Sec

• ⅔ oz. Orange Juice

• ⅓ oz. Heavy Cream

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

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

The Zombie

About The Zombie

This recipe is probably the most complex cocktail on all of www.empiremixology.com. This cocktail is an original of Don the Beachcomber at his eponymous restaurant around the year 1934. It would later show up at the 1939 World’s Fair where it became popular on the East Coast. This cocktail is served with a strict limit of 2 per customer due to its high potency. The name originates from a businessman who had one and he returned to Donn’s restaurant and told him that it “made him a zombie all weekend.”

The name stuck and the rest is history. This recipe is highly complex and it is indeed a flammable cocktail so drink responsibly and remember safety when playing with fire. There is also a recipe for Donn’s Mix listed below which is an essential ingredient.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Silver Rum

• 1½ oz. Dark Rum

• 1 oz Apricot Brandy

• Splash Overproof 151 Rum

• ½ oz. of Don’s Mix***

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1 oz. Mango Juice

• ½ oz. Grenadine

• Dash of Angostura Bitters

For Donn’s Mix

• 3 Crushed Cinnamon Sticks

• 1 Cup of Sugar

• 1 Cup of Boiling Water

• 2 Cups of Grapefruit Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Tiki

Method:

Mix ingredients in a shaker with ice. Pour into glass with ice. You can float the 151 to create a longer lasting flame when lit.

For Donn’s Mix

• Bring 3 crushed cinnamon sticks, 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.

• Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat and let sit for at least 2 hours before straining into a clean glass bottle.

• Then add 1 part of the syrup and 2 parts of fresh grapefruit juice together.

The Black Magic

About The Black Magic

The Black Magic is a favorite after dinner drink that combines the sweetness of chocolate and amaretto along with Irish Cream and Coffee Liqueur to create an absolutely magical sweetness and smoothness. This recipe was popularized in the mid 2000s although it has been around far longer than that.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Amaretto

• 1 oz. Irish Cream

• 1 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• Fill Hot Chocolate

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Hot

• Strength: Light

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Sweet Coffee

Method:

Build ingredients in mug and stir thoroughly. Top with whipped cream and garnish with shaved chocolate.

The Gorilla Milk

About The Gorilla Milk

Haha this sounds gross lol. No but really, this cocktail is absolutely fantastic and is sure to be a major after dinner delight. This drink is quite strong in terms of alcohol content and it is able to sneak up on you so drinker beware. We have tried this cocktail frozen as well and it was also fantastic.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• ½ oz. Coffee Liqueur

• ½ oz. Irish Cream Liqueur

• ½ oz. Creme de Banana

• 1 oz. Light Cream

• Banana Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake with ice and pour over ice into hurricane glass. Garnish with a banana slice.

The Champagne

About The Champagne

This 19th century recipe hails from the birthplace of ALL champagne; France. First listed in an 1862 guide to cocktails, the drink was later revitalized by Jerry Thomas who added a few variations to the earliest recipes. The quintessential “American” version is to omit the brandy/cognac addition. This cocktail can still be seen at New Year’s Eve events around the country.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Chilled Champagne

• ⅓ oz. Cognac or Brandy

• 2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

• 1 Sugar Cube

• Orange Slice & Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spiced

Method:

Add dash of Angostura bitter onto sugar cube and drop it into champagne flute. Add cognac followed by gently pouring chilled champagne. Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry.

The Four Horsemen

About The Four Horsemen

Revelation 6:1-8 “…I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse…And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him…”

The Four Horsemen is a purely painful experience that is said to be a rite of passage for those who turn 21. I don’t know why anyone would make a rookie drinker suffer like this, but at least it’s some damn good spirits involved. The process for this shooter is to take eat shot in sequence (order doesn’t matter) but once you start you have to finish. Without Jameson© this is called the Three Wise Men. With Jose Cuervo© substituting for Jameson© it becomes the Three Wisemen and a Mexican. (No, I didn’t make that up).

Ingredients:

• 1 shot Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey©

• 1 shot Jim Beam Bourbon©

• 1 shot Johnny Walker Scotch Whisky©

• 1 shot Jameson Irish Whiskey©

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       N/A

• Served:      Shooter

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Don’t Do This

Method:

Do them all in a row. If you can face Death.

The Corpse Reviver №2

About The Corpse Reviver №2

The Corpse Reviver №2 as described in the Savoy Cocktail Book is the most commonly drunk of the corpse revivers. The dash of absinthe can either be added to the mix before shaking, or added to the cocktail glass and moved around until the glass has been coated with a layer of absinthe to give a subtle absinthe aroma and flavor to the drink. The Savoy №2 recipe noted that “Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again.”

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lillet Blanc

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• Dash of Absinthe

• Orange Zest for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Shake ingredients together in a mixer with ice. Strain into chilled glass. Garnish with orange zest.

The Liquid Cocaine

About The Liquid Cocaine

So if you hated the Dead Nazi, you’ll really hate the Liquid Cocaine. This shot hurts like hell. It’ll get you going like the real thing, but it’s gonna hurt the whole time. Combining the meanest German spirits possible, the Liquid Cocaine is a shot for those who dare to push limits, but this is not a casual shot.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Jägermeister©

• 1 part Goldschläger©

• 1 part Rumple Minze©

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Shooter

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Ouch

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into shot glass.

The Ace of Spades

About The Ace of Spades

So there’s about 30 cocktails that go by this name that are all completely different. Empire Mixology acknowledges the 1930s version that originated at the NYC club called the Ace of Spades. I mean it sounds like the most original version right? This cocktail packs a wallop and is very spirit forward, however the creme de cacao adds a chocolatey hint of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Golden Rum

• ½ oz. White Creme de Cacao

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• ½ tsp. Simple Syrup

• 4 Drops, I said Drops not Dashes of Angostura Bitters (optional)

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit, but Chocolatey

Method:

In a cocktail shaker, add all of the ingredients and shake until chilled. Strain into martini glass and serve. Optionally you can add four drops, not dashes, of Angostura Bitters. I said drops.

The Flaming Dr. Pepper

About The Flaming Dr. Pepper

Ready to turn up the heat? The infamous Flaming Dr. Pepper is a famous depth charge cocktail due to the flame associated with it. This cocktail has injured countless people so we please remind you that alcohol and playing with fire typically don’t mix; so take precaution and for the love of god don’t hold the shot glass. IF you choose not to drop the shot into beer then you MUST BLOW OUT THE SHOT BEFORE TRYING TO DRINK IT.

Warnings like this exist for a reason people.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Amaretto

• ½ oz. High Proof Rum (flammable)

• 1 Pint of Beer

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Strong

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor: Dr. Pepper©

Method:

Layer the two spirits in the shot glass, with the high-proof liquor on top. Light the shot and allow it to burn; then extinguish it by dropping it into the beer glass. Drink immediately.

The Melon Ball

About The Melon Ball

As with most cocktails that involve melon liqueur, the Melon Ball Shot hails from the late 2000s and is as visually pleasing as it is to the tastebuds. A sickly sweet shot, we recommend ordering this one in moderation. An actual melon ball is sometimes used as garnish for this shot as well.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Melon Liqueur

• ½ oz. Pineapple Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Shooter

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake with ice and strain into shot glass.

The Red Rover

About The Red Rover

The Red Rover is a fun wine cocktail with the body of red wine and the palette of a liquor-based cocktail. This recipe is simple, easy, and overall palette pleasing. The original recipe calls for Shiraz and Navy Rum, but to be a bit more accommodating to different wines we felt that dark rum paired up a bit more nicely.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz. Red Wine

• 1 oz. Dark Rum

• ½ oz. Raspberry Liqueur

• Lemon Slice for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Shake all ingredients with ice gently and strain into ice filled glass.

The American Beauty

About The American Beauty

Another Washington D.C. original cocktail, the American Beauty is an eclectic cocktail creation named after the District’s Official Flower; the American Beauty Rose. This cocktail combines Cognac and Port Wine along with Creme de Menthe. The resulting flavor profile is strong willed, yet smooth as well. Certainly, a sipping drink, the American Beauty is best served in good company.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Cognac

• ¼ oz. Creme de Menthe

• ¼ oz. Port Wine

• ¼ oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 oz. Orange Juice

• ½ oz. Grenadine

• Mint Sprig for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the port and mint. Shake well; strain into a chilled martini glass. Stir in the port. Garnish with the mint.

The Hot Buttered Rum

About The Hot Buttered Rum

The Hot Buttered Rum is a hot rum cocktail that really hits the spot when there’s that cold chill in the air. Although it may seem odd to add butter to a cocktail recipe; it’s definitely a big part of the composition and profile of this cocktail. This recipe dates back to the colonial era, however it experienced a large revival in the 1930s. There are MANY variants to this recipe so do your best to experiment and find that perfect recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Spiced Rum

• 2 oz. Hot Water

• 1 Stick of Butter (unsalted & room temperature)

• ⅔ cup of Dark Brown Sugar

• ½ tsp. of Ground Cinnamon

• ¼ cup of Honey

• ¼ tsp. of Ground Nutmeg

• ⅛ Ground Cloves

• Pinch of Salt

• Cinnamon Sticks (for garnish)

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: Hot

• Strength: Mild

• Difficulty: Complex

• Flavor: Spiced

Method:

Using a kitchen mixer, beat the brown sugar, butter, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a 4-cup (or larger) measuring cup. Add the rum and then 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the butter mixture dissolves. Divide the buttered rum among 4 mugs. Garnish with the cinnamon sticks and serve.

The Jade

About The Jade

The Jade is a fun celebratory cocktail combining the fruity flavor of Melon Liqueur and Curacao with a dash of lime juice and Champagne. The presentation of this cocktail is fantastic and lends to its namesake. Make sure to chill the mixture well, as well as use chilled sparkling wine/champagne for the top off.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Melon Liqueur

• ½ oz. Blue Curacao

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• Dash of Angostura Bitters

• Top with Champagne/Sparkling Wine

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Shake ingredients (without Champagne) with ice until very well chilled. Strain into fluted glass and top with champagne and garnish with lime.