The Lava Flow

About The Lava Flow

Two of the most popular frozen cocktails in the world are the Pina Colada and the Strawberry Daiquiri; so there was an idea that asked, what if we could combine them? The answer to that question is the Lava Flow. The red of the strawberries used in the recipe represent the “lava” taking over the white of the Pina Colada. This visually pleasing dessert cocktail has many many variations and we suggest using our recipe as a starting point for your own perfect recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• 2½ oz. Cream of Coconut

• 2 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 2 oz. Strawberries

• 1 Small Banana

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Blend the strawberries and the rum together until well blended. Pour into serving glass. Clean blender and add banana, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and at least 1 cup of ice and blend until smooth. Pour this mix into the serving glass slowly to get visual effect.

The A.M.F.

About The A.M.F.

Adios MotherF*cker! The legendary college cocktail known as the AMF is an offshoot of the Long Island Iced Tea but falls just short of becoming a Trash Can. Incredibly spirit forward, this cocktail packs a powerful punch and will knock you on your ass quickly. Make sure to keep a limit of two per night to keep your mind in check, otherwise your common sense will be saying AMF.

Ingredients:

• ½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Rum

• ½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Tequila

• ½ oz. Blue Curacao

• 2 oz. Sour Mix

• Top Lemon-Lime Soda

• 1 Lemon Wheel/Maraschino Cherry for Garnish.

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

In a cocktail shaker, add all of the ingredients except the soda and shake with ice. Strain into ice filled serving glass and top with soda and garnish.

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 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.

The Tokyo Tea

About The Tokyo Tea

Meet the Far Eastern cousin of the famous Long Island Iced Tea. This recipe follows Empire Mixology’s Long Island recipe with a few distinctions. Firstly, the cocktail is green so Melon Liqueur is used to give the drink its color. Three cherries are also used as garnish to mimic Bubble Tea. The addition of sprite makes the taste a little lighter, but do not be fooled; this cocktail is just as potent as your standard Long Island.

Empire Note: This cocktail is featured in our Master Mixologist’s signature collection.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1¼ oz. Rum

• ¾ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Melon Liqueur

• 2½ oz. Sour Mix

• Fill Lemon Lime Soda

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: On the Rocks

• Strength: Strong

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor: Sweet

Method:

Build ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, except for the soda. Gently stir a few times to chill ingredients. Pour with ice into highball or pint glass. Add splash of soda and stir gently. Add three cherries as garnish.

The Princess Shot

About The Princess Shot

The Princess Shot is the shot equivalent of a Pink Starburst Candy. This crowd pleasing shot is a relatively modern invention that has seen a popularity boom at bachelorette parties and weddings. The shot is a bit sour due to the mix and watermelon pucker, but it is packed with flavor accordingly. The shot could be made into a highball using lemon lime soda, but is best saved as a shot.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Vodka

• 1 part Watermelon Pucker

• 1 part Sour Mix

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:      4.5 Stars

• Served:     Shot

• Strength:  Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Pink Starburst

Method:

Combine all ingredients in shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled and strain into shot glass.

The Piña Colada

About The Piña Colada

The official drink of Puerto Rico, the Piña Colada literally translates to “strained pineapple.” The history of this all time freat cocktail is shrouded in debate. It’s disputed founding is back to the early 1800s when El Pirata Cofresí created the drink to boost the morale of his crew. The more modern founding of the cocktail dates to either Cuba or Puerto Rico during the 1950s depending on which historian you choose to follow. Regardless, the Piña Colada was named the National Cocktail of Puerto Rico in the 1970s and July 10 is now known as International Piña Colada Day!

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Cream of Coconut

• 1 oz. Heavy Cream

• 6 oz. Pineapple Juice

• ½ cup of Crushed Ice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:        4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Mild

• Difficulty:    Medium

• Flavor:        Tropical

Method:

Blend all the ingredients with ice and pur into desired glass. Garnish with cherry and/or pineapple wedge.

The Lynchburg Lemonade

About The Lynchburg Lemonade

This cocktail hails from 1980 and the great state of Alabama. One of the few recipes out there with a ton of litigation over who created it and who deserves credit; this recipe has survived into the modern day as a favorite summertime drink. The refreshing lemon flavor mixed with the All American Classic that is Jack Daniel’s creates a refreshing southern specialty to keep you cool in the coming warm months.

Empire Note: Our resident Empire Master Mixologist features this cocktail as one of his signature cocktails.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 2 oz. Sour Mix

• Fill Lemon Lime Soda (or lemonade)

• Lemons and Cherries for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: On the Rocks

• Strength: Mild

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Lemon

Method:

Shake Whiskey, Triple Sec, and Sour Mix with ice and strain into ice-filled glass. Top with the lemonade or lemon-lime soda. Garnish with lemon slices and cherries.

The American Grog

About The American Grog

Ah Grog, is there anything so ingrained in pirate culture as you (and rum)? A quick history lesson on the Age of Exploration with this recipe; during this time period there was no electricity or seabound filtration techniques so things like beer and wine spoiled quickly on long voyages. Water would turn stale and grow algae and thus become undrinkable. British Admiral Edward Vernon ordered his crew to mix the rum reserves with his water supply to prevent it from spoiling and it worked! This would become the standard practice for sailors in the years to come. His nickname was “Old Grog” due to a Grogside Jacket he wore so the crew named the idea after him.

In this variant, we add a sugar cube and lemon juice because as it turns out; hot watered down rum tastes terrible. I would also recommend adding a few cloves for flavor. The end result is a warming cocktail with a lemon flavor and the sugar helps to soothe and cut the bite of the rum.

“Water, water, every where,/ Nor any drop to drink."

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” c. 1798

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Silver Rum

• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice

• 4 oz. Hot Water

• 1 Sugar Cube

• Lemon Wedge (for Garnish)

• Cloves (for Garnish)

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.0 Stars

• Served: Hot

• Strength: Mild

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Lemon

Method:

Put rum, lemon juice, and sugar cube in glass. Gently muddle sugar cube. Fill with hot water. Stir to dissolve sugar.

The Jack Daniel's Root Beer Float

About The Jack Daniel’s Root Beer Float

The Jack Daniel’s Root Beer Float is a recipe near and dear to me; as it was the first #SundayFunday recipe posted on the original www.EmpireMixology.com many years ago. Ironically, it took me seven tries to get the recipe as perfect as I was looking for. However, after all these years I have since lost my notes on that recipe. It took a few tries to remaster this favorite but here it is in all its glory.

Featuring Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and A&W Root Beer (no better root beer for a float), this delectable delight is sure to wow your friends and guests and keep the orders coming.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

• 6 oz. A&W Root Beer

• 1-2 Scoops Vanilla Ice Cream

• Whipped Cream

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:        5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Scoop Ice Cream into Mug or Mason Jar. Add in 3 oz. Root Beer and Jack Daniel’s. Stir gently. Top with remaining Root Beer and stir again gently. Top with whipped cream.

The Cloud 9

The Cloud 9

The Cloud 9 is one Empire Mixology’s leading Frozen Cocktails. This refreshing recipe calls for a smooth and creamy frozen drink with hints of coconut and banana. The Empire Mixology Cloud 9 is a variant of the original recipe which is a highball containing Blue Curacao and Milk. We figured we could step our game up a bit to make the Cloud 9 an elite class recipe for you and your guests.

Ingredients:

• 1 /2 oz. Coconut Rum

• 1/2 oz. Banana Liqueur

• 3 oz. Blue Curacao

• 3 oz. Milk

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Frozen

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Build ingredients in mixing glass or shaker with ice in blender and blend until smooth. Stir gently and then pour into ice filled highball glass.

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 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 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 Dragonfruit Mojito

About The Dragonfruit Mojito

So it’s been almost two years, so we figured why not update one of our former signature classics. Ladies and gentlemen meet the Dragonfruit Mojito. This beautiful just in time for summer cocktail is as pleasing in flavor as it is in appearance. This exotic cocktail derives its name from its signature ingredient; Dragonfruit aka Pitaya. Combining the looks and name of the dragonfruit with the classic fan favorite Mojito recipe, creates an astounding and unique concoction. The dragonfruit actually absorbs the spirit the longer it sits, and by using the skin of the fruit in the muddling process we’re able to get that perfect pink fade at the bottom. Our Mixologists were excited to recreate one of our oldest and greatest recipes. Try it out and tell us what you think!

Ingredients:

• 1 Dragon Fruit

• 2 Lime Wedges

• 2 Lime Wheels

• 7-8 Mint Leaves

• 2.5 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Simple Syrup

• Lemon-Lime Soda

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Light

• Difficulty:   Complex

• Flavor:       Sweet

Empire Tip: Don’t like all the floating chunks of dragon fruit? Strain the muddled dragon fruit, lime, and mint before pouring into the drinking glass.

Method:

Halve dragon fruit and cut one of the halves into six or seven thin slices. Separate the flesh from the skin of three slices and add into building glass. Cut the exterior skin (leafy part) from the inner skin and add the inner skin into the glass as well.

Add four mint leaves, a lime wedge, and the simple syrup. Muddle.

In the serving glass, use a melon baller on the remaining halve of dragon fruit and add three balls of dragon fruit into the glass along with a lime wheel. Then pour the muddled ingredients from the building glass into the serving glass.

Add crushed ice until glass is 2/3 full. Add a lime wedge, remaining mint leaves, and additional dragon fruit balls until full.

Add 2.5 oz. of Silver Rum or more depending on your preference, and then top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with lime wheel and extra mint if desired and serve with a straw.

The Cidertini

About The Cidertini

Introducing the great fall cocktail. Fall includes some of our favorite flavors like cinnamon, apples, pumpkin and more. So why not celebrate in style with a delicious apple flavored martini? But not just a simple appletini will do, why not give the Cidertini a shot instead.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Caramel Vodka

• 0.5 oz. Apple Brandy

• 3 oz. Apple Cider

• Pinch of Cinnamon

• Apple Slice, Cinnamon Stick, Brown Sugar for garnish.

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:        5 Stars

• Served:      Cocktail Glass

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Medium

• Flavor:        Spiced

Method:

Place all ingredients except cinnamon and garnishes in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled sugar and cinnamon rimmed martini glass. Garnish with a dash of cinnamon, an apple slice, and a cinnamon stick.

The Corona Bomb

About The Corona Bomb

We here at Empire Mixology love Corona, and the classic way to enjoy a Corona Extra Cerveza is with a lime wedge. However, we consider this a bit of an upgrade and a way to add an extra punch to your afternoon. As our first Depth Charge recipe, we hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

Ingredients:

• 1 Corona Extra Cerveza

• 1 oz. Bacardi Limon Rum

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Depth Charge

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor:       Citrus

Method:

Fill a highball with Corona and drop the shot into the highball, chug (responsibly) accordingly.

Alternately, you can avoid the depth charge option by pouring the shot into a bottle of Corona directly and then thumbing the bottle and turning it over.

Empire Tip: Use a lime wedge for garnish and/or as a finish.

The Mike's Full Moon

About The Mike’s Full Moon

We went back to the Mixology Lab to re-create one of our crowd favorites. The Mike’s Full Moon is a beer cocktail combining two of the best out there; Mike’s Hard Lemonade© and Blue Moon Beer®. This cocktail essentially creates a shandy that is light and crisp and packs a great citrus flavor. This is an easy-pleaser recipe. Takes no time to make and can turn even the non-beer drinkers into fans.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Bottle Mike’s Hard Lemonade©

• 1/2 Bottle of Blue Moon®

• 1 Orange Wheel for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:        4 Stars

• Served:        Neat

• Strength:     Light

• Difficulty:   Simple

• Flavor:        Citrus

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a glass and stir gently. Add the orange slice for garnish and enjoy.

Empire Tip: Make sure you garnish with the orange wheel, it’s what helps make this drink so flavorful.