The Margarita

About The Margarita

This 1930s cocktail hails from the land of tequila itself, Mexico. A common staple of the summer season, the Margarita like the Martini, has evolved over the years and many variants have been invented since its inception. At Empire Mixology we typically do not use sour mix in our Classic Margarita recipe, although some do find the taste more enjoyable. Arguments can go all day regarding when and where it was founded exactly; whether or not salt is necessary, or if you have to use Cointreau© or not; but the important part is that we all enjoy a cool and refreshing Margarita once the warm weather days arrive.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Tequila

• 1.5 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• Salt (for rim of glass)

• 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.

Empire Tip: The Margarita has become a base cocktail recipe in similar vein to the Martini or Daiquiri, try experimenting with our recipe and see what you can figure out!

The Bellini

About The Bellini

Hailing from Venice, Italy; the Bellini is a simple, light, and elegant cocktail perfect for a quiet evening or a formal event. Founded by Giuseppe Cipriani, founder of Harry’s Bar in Venice, the Bellini became a worldwide sensation after a Frenchman started using white peaches for the purée. There are many multiple versions of this recipe, but we prefer to show you the original to its purest form. Give the Bellini a chance, it may even replace the modern love affair of the Mimosa. Both serve as perfect breakfast drinks, or as an after-dinner cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Prosecco (or Champagne)

• 1 part Peach Purée

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Pour peach purée into chilled flute, add sparkling wine. Stir gently.

Empire Tip: Traditionally, the IBA Official version of this recipe calls for white peaches as the fruit of choice.

The Martini

About The Martini

Once called the greatest American invention of all time, the actual origins of this cocktail are shrouded in mystery; credited to both Italy and San Francisco, CA. The Martini became the signature cocktail of the United States during prohibition and has endured as a true symbol of elegance and class. The Martini is an essential in every bartender’s toolkit and no self-respecting mixologist may use the title without mastering this cocktail. Also, note the Martini is made with GIN not vodka, and is STIRRED, and not shaken.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 oz. Gin

• .5 oz. Dry Vermouth

• 1 Cocktail Olive/Lemon Twist

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit

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 Monkey Gland

About The Monkey Gland

Yeah what’s with the name right? It’s a long story about plastic surgery and monkey testicles so we’re just not going to go there. This cocktail is an IBA Classic; and probably the oddest titled one on the list. hailing from Paris, France at Harry’s New York Bar This cocktail can hit you hard with its powerful recipe and the addition of Absinthe. Have fun ordering this one at the bar and not sounding like a weirdo.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Gin

• 1.5 Orange Juice

• Dash of Absinthe

• Dash of Grenadine

• Sugar to preference/taste.

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:  Strong

• Difficulty: Complex

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Add all ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled and strain into a martini glass.

The Porto Flip

About The Porto Flip

Say hello to the long forgotten and formerly extremely popular Porto Flip Cocktail. First officially referenced in the mid 1800s, this recipe was almost completely lost after the turn of the century. Although the ingredients may make you cringe this cocktail is actually fairly sweet and creamy with a strong spirit flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz brandy

• 3/4 oz port wine

• 1/4 oz simple syrup

• 1 whole egg

• Nutmeg (for garnish)

• Ice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Put all ingredients (yes, even the egg yolk) into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake very well. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg and enjoy? Maybe?

The Daiquiri

About The Daquiri

Considered one of the six basic drinks and a foundation of mixology, the Daiquiri is refreshing and tangy as it combines perfect proportions of sweet, sour, and spirit. Rising to popularity in the 1940s during World War II, the original founding of this cocktail can be traced to Cuba during the Spanish-American War. President John F. Kennedy also included this cocktail as one of his personal favorites.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• 1 oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 Lime Wheel

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:  Strong

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into martini glass and garnish with lime wedge.

The Black Russian

About The Black Russian

The IBA Classic Black Russian that isn’t Russian at all is a 1949 classic from the Hotel Metropole in Brussels, Belgium. Named after the color of the drink and the fact vodka is the primary ingredient, the Black Russian has numerous variations and cousin recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Vodka

• .5 oz. Coffee Liqueur

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Pour all ingredients into a rocks glass with fresh ice. Stir gently and enjoy!

The Manhattan

About The Manhattan

The Manhattan; one of the core drinks in mixology. Every bartender whether enthusiast or professional should know how to make this classic concoction. The true way of making a Manhattan is with RYE whiskey and not BOURBON. In fact, bourbon only became a substitution in the Prohibition Era when Rye was in hard supply. The drink is also typically garnished with a maraschino cherry and not a lemon twist.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Rye Whiskey

• 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth

• Dash Angostura Bitters

• 1 Maraschino Cherry

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:     Neat

• Strength:  Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir with ice until chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and garnished with a maraschino cherry.

Empire Tip: You can modernize the classic recipe by using bourbon rather than rye and use a lemon twist for garnish.

The Planter's Punch

About The Planter’s Punch

This is one of the older IBA Classic Cocktails on the list, with it first being mentioned in 1878 in London. The cocktail itself is disputed to have originated from Charleston, SC or Jamaica. This is a sweet summertime punch that hides its potent alcohol content well. Although rarely ordered at a bar anymore, this is classic and essential recipe to know.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Dark Rum

• 1 oz. Orange Juice

• 1 oz. Pineapple Juice

• 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice

• 1/2 oz. Grenadine

• 1/2 oz. Simple Sugar Syrup

• 3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

• Cocktail Cherry & Pineapple Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Pour all ingredients, except the bitters, into shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Pour into large glass, filled with ice. Add Angostura bitters as a floater and do not stir. Garnish with cocktail cherry and pineapple.