The Grateful Dead

About The Grateful Dead

As Empire Mixology’s resident Master Mixologist and a self-claimed “Long Island-style Cocktail Expert,” I’d love to tell you that Grateful Deads are a fun recipe that’s packed with flavor, but its not. Unlike the Long Island Iced Tea that attempts to hide alcohol content, the Grateful Dead does very little to mask its intense alcohol profile. The Raspberry Liqueur does little to nothing in the vein of dulling the bite of the spirits.

Popular in most college bars and dives throughout the country, the Grateful Dead is a great night starter cocktail since they are typically cheaply made and can be thrown together quickly. Add Lemon Lime Soda to make the cocktail more palatable if desired. The fun part of this recipe is that the Grateful Dead is typically garnished with fun concepts such as gummy bears, candy, sprinkles, fruit.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Tequila

• ½ oz. Rum

• ½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Triple Sec

• Splash of Lemon Juice

• Splash of Simple Syrup

• Splash. Raspberry Liqueur

• Splash Blue Curacao

• FIll Lemon Lime Soda

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: On the Rocks

• Strength: Strong

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes to chill the ingredients. Measure and pour 1/2 ounce each of vodka, gin, rum, tequila, and triple sec into the shaker. This combination of spirits forms the base of the Grateful Dead. Pour 3/4 ounce of simple syrup into the shaker for sweetness. Pour 3/4 ounce of fresh lemon juice into the shaker for a citrusy kick. Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 10-15 seconds to ensure proper mixing and chilling. Pour raspberry liqueur and gummy bears into bottom of a highball glass. Strain the mixture from the shaker into the highball glass and fill with ice. Top up the glass with a splash of lemon lime soda for effervescence. Gently add a splash to give it the signature effect. Optionally, give the ingredients a gentle stir to combine the flavors.

The Army & Navy

About The Army & Navy

First published in 1948 by David Embury’s The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, the Army & Navy is a classically styled cocktail that presents a floral and fragrant taste. This cocktail is reputed to be named after the rivalry between West Point and the Naval Academy in college sports.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. London Dry Gin

• ½ oz. Orgeat Syrup

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• Dash of Angostura Bitters

• Garnish with a Lemon Twist

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:     Up

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

The Death in the Afternoon

About The Death in the Afternoon

Also known as the Hemingway Champagne, the Death in the Afternoon is a powerful and decadent cocktail that crosses Champagne with Absinthe. Said to be invented in Left Bank, Paris by Hemingway himself along with a few sailors; this recipe first appeared in the 1930s in Hemingway’s books. The goal of the cocktail is to mix the spirits enough that the mixture becomes opalescent and milky.

"Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly." -Ernest Hemingway

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Absinthe

• Fill Champagne

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour 1 oz. Absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add chilled Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness.

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

The Hurricane

About The Hurricane

Another creation from the Big Easy, this cousin of the Daiquiri was crafted in a New Orleans Speakeasy in the 1940s. The owner of the speakeasy Pat O’Brien needed to find a way to sell all of the less-popular rum that his distributors forced him to buy before he could buy the popular spirits. He concocted a mixture of rums with passion fruit syrup and lemon juice; and then poured it into a hurricane shaped glass. The drink caught on and has been a mainstay of tropical drink menus across the world. The Bahamanian version of the cocktail uses different ingredients such as coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and Grand Marnier.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• 2 oz. Dark Rum

• 1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

• 1 oz. Orange Juice

• ½ oz. Passion Fruit Syrup

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• Dash of Grenadine

• Orange Wheel & Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice, then pour into the glass and serve over ice. Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.

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 Bahama Mama

About The Bahama Mama

The Bahama Mama hails from the 1920s/1930s depending on which origin you choose to believe. Some say it was invented during the Prohibition Era as the Caribbean was a rum smuggling base, while others believe it was named after a famous Caribbean dancer who went by the name Bahama Mama in the 1930s. Regardless, the Bahama Mama is a world reknown favorite tropical cocktail. It is simple to make and involves flavorful juices and a full cadre of rum options.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Coconut Rum

• ½ oz. Dark Rum

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 2 oz. Orange Juice

• Splash of Grenadine

• Pineapple Wedge and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Build rums and juices in a mixing glass and stir well, then pour into ice filled served glass. Drop the splash of Grenadine into the cocktail and garnish with a cherry and pineapple 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 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 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 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 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 Tom Collins

About The Tom Collins

The Tom Collins has a shrouded origin, but first appeared in the Grandfather of American Mixology Jerry Thomas’s writings in 1876. There are stories of the cocktail being enjoyed in the first half of the 19th century in England but it cannot be substantiated. The cocktail has gone through numerous evolutions but this recipe is the “standard” in modern mixology. The namesake ingredient of this cocktail is Old Tom Style Gin. This ingredient has enjoyed a revival in the craft cocktail culture but still isn’t all that common. It is slightly sweeter than London Dry Gin, but the latter can easily be used as a substitute.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Old Tom Gin (or London Dry if you do not have)

• 1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Sugar

• Fill Soda Water

• Lemon Slice & Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Mix the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a tall glass with ice, top up with club soda, garnish and serve.

The Gibson

About The Gibson

So there’s the ubiquitous Martini, it’s cousin the Kangaroo, and then there’s that other cousin; the Gibson. The Gibson is the same recipe as the hallmark Martini with the exception of its garnish; a silverskin onion. Some prefer the sweetness of the pickled onion, whereas others strongly prefer the olive juice of the Martini. The Gibson was invented in the late 1800s in California when it was asked to make something better than a Martini . The bartender switched garnishes and the Gibson was born. There’s also stories of people requesting a cocktail glass of cold water and an onion to differentiate between that and the Martinis also being ordered.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• .5 oz. Dry Vermouth

• 1 Silverskin Onion

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:   Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Stir well in a shaker with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish and serve

The Harvey Wallbanger

About The Harvey Wallbanger

This once famed cocktail is a variation of former fellow IBA Cocktail; The Screwdriver. This version adds Italian Liqueur Galliano L’Autentico to slightly adjust the flavor. The Harvey Wallbanger began appearing frequently in the 1970s and its popularity continued into the 1980s before wanning in popularity in the years to come. The Harvey Wallbanger is all but forgotten today, and is a classic of a bygone era; however the recipe is just as delicious today as it was in yesteryear and we strongly advocate the return of this former IBA Cocktail!

“Harvey Wallbanger is the name, and I can be made!”

-George Bednar, Executive for McKesson ca. 1960s

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Galliano L’Autentico Liqueur

• 1 Orange Wedge/Wheel for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Citrus

Method:

Pour vodka into highball glass with ice. Pour orange juice into glass and stir until well chilled. Float Galliano on top using a bar spoon. Garnish with orange wedge/wheel.

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 Cape Codder

About The Cape Codder

The granddaddy of so many famous cocktails like the Seabreeze, Woo Woo, Sex on the Beach, Cosmopolitan, and more; the Cape Codder is a true classic. And before you say it; YES, the Cape Codder is a simple Vodka-Cranberry. Developed in the 1940s by the Ocean Spray company as The Red Devil, the cocktail took on the name Cape Codder in the 1960s. Although it is simple and its name is commonly forgotten in the bar scene today, the Cape Codder is still a fan favorite and a huge base cocktail for many variations. Remember to respect your elder cocktails.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka

• Fill Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Cranberry

Method:

Build all ingredients in an ice filled highball glass and stir. garnish with a lime wedge.

The Gimlet

About The Gimlet

The Gimlet was developed around the time of the Roaring Twenties and is of disputable origin. A simple and light cocktail, the Gimlet is an easy creation that can be altered in a myriad of ways to suit the customer’s taste. The classical recipe calls for a cocktail made with equal parts gin and lime juice, garnished with the such, served neat. We at Empire Mixology enjoy and respect the classic recipe, but we preferred a less intense lime juice addition (around 1 oz. or less), and added lemon-lime soda to create a more highball-esque version.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• Lime Juice to taste

• Lemon-Lime Soda/Club Soda (optional)

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Preference

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Pour gin into desired glass; typically a martini glass or wine glass. Ice optional. Add desired lime juice quantity (classically a 1:1 ratio). If desired, add soda to make the cocktail more of a highball.

The Greyhound

About The Greyhound

The Greyhound is a prohibition era cocktail and is the same cocktail as a Salty Dog, except without the salt. Although a Greyhound is more commonly served with vodka presently, we prefer to stick to the classic recipe and use gin. The natural flavor of gin and grapefruit comes to life with this simple recipe and makes for a tasty and deceiving drink.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• Fill Grapefruit Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Fruity

Method:

Shake Gin and Grapefruit Juice in a cocktail shaker. Pour into glass with fresh ice.

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 former 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.