The Dark 'n' Stormy

About The Dark ‘n’ Stormy

Meet the Dark ‘n’ Stormy, a trademarked cocktail belonging to Gosling Brothers Ltd. This recipe was invented in Bermuda, shortly following WWI. Originally this cockatil used Gosling Black Seal Rum and Barritt’s Ginger Beer, however after the partnership ended Gosling Brothers created their own Ginger Beer. Technically, the ingredients listed below reflect Gosling Brothers products, but to keep in parity with our other recipes we simply list as ginger beer and dark rum. (Can you tell we wrote this to avoid litigation?)

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Dark Rum

• 3½ oz. Ginger Beer

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: On the Rocks

• Strength: Mild

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Fill glass with ice, add Dark Rum and top with ginger beer. (Reverse for photogenic effect). Garnish with lime wedge.

The Vesper

About The Vesper

Created in 1953 in the book Casino Royale, James Bond orders this cocktail to his exact specifications. We at Empire use the IBA Official Cocktail recipe in contrast to Bond’s preference for a stronger count of each spirit and we also stir our spirit only drinks, not shake. This cocktail is a variant of the Martini that offers a more aromatic taste but with a slightly harsher finish.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Vodka

• ¼ oz. Lillet Blanc

• 1 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. Stir and strain into cocktail glass.

Empire Tip: Despite James Bond’s prefernce, stir this, not shake.

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 Tequila Sunrise

About The Tequila Sunrise

Originally hailing from Phoenix, Arizona in the 1930s/1940s, the Tequila Sunrise became modernized and exploded in popularity in San Francisco, California in the early 1970s. The recipe became an instant hit and was featured heavily on brands such as Jose Cuervo and was even named the favorite of the Rolling Stones during their 1972 tour.

This IBA Contemporary Classic is an easy to make and refreshing cocktail to enjoy year around. the complimenting flavors blend together to create a smooth and sweet finish.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Tequila

• ½ oz. Grenadine

• 4 oz. Orange Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor:       Orange

Method:

Pour the tequila and orange juice into glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Stir gently to create the sunrise effect. Garnish and serve.

The Cosmopolitan

About The Cosmopolitan

One of the trendiest cocktails listed on the IBA Official Cocktail list, this perennial A-Lister cocktail has been a staple of major metropolitan bar and club scenes for over two decades. Arising to heavy prominence in the 1990s, the recipe has survived largely unchanged. Cocktail and mixology historians cannot come to a consensus on the founding of this recipe, although an early version of the recipe appears in the 1930s using slightly altered ingredients that would have been more available at the time. Our resident Master Mixologist credits the drink to the East Coast in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

World reknown Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff popularized the use of citrus vodka in the 1990s which has been accepted as the IBA Official recipe, however our team prefers to use unflavored vodka for the recipe as that is how most modern bars serve the Cosmopolitan.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• ¾ oz. Triple Sec

• ½ oz. Fresh Lime Juice

• 1½ oz. Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Shake all ingredients in cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a large cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon slice/twist.

The Kir

About The Kir

 The Kir is a French cocktail that hails from the 19th century. Formerly known as the Blanc-Cassis, the drink was renamed after Mayor Kir of Dijon, Burgundy who would serve this cocktail at his receptions for visiting delegations after World War II. Part of the reason why this cocktail become so popular was that during World War II, the German military removed a large amount of red wine from the country, leaving large reserves of white wine behind. This cocktail was used as a way to use what was available and in excess.  

Ingredients:

• 5 oz. White Wine

• 1 oz. Crème de Cassis

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 3.5 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Add the crème de cassis to the bottom of the glass and add the white wine above it.

The Irish Coffee

About The Irish Coffee

The Irish Coffee has a bit of a muddled history. Since the mid-1800s the French would serve a cocktail known as a Gloria, which was any mixture of coffee and spirits. So it’s not off-base to say the Irish Coffee is just a Whiskey Gloria, however when’s the last time you’ve heard of a Gloria cocktail? The modern Irish Coffee is mostly agreed to have originated in County Limerick, Ireland. In the mid 1950s, the cocktail began appearing in the United States on the West Coast and its popularity took off from there. A staple of after-dinner cocktail menus everywhere, the Irish Coffee and its iterations have survived and continue to thrive.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Irish Whiskey

• 1 oz. Cream

• 4 oz. Hot Coffee

• 1 tsp Brown Sugar

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.0 Stars

• Served: Hot

• Strength: Mild

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Coffee

Method:

Heat the coffee, whiskey, and sugar but do not bring to a boil. Pour into glass and top with cream.

The Cuba Libre

About The Cuba Libre

 Is it technically just a rum and coke? Well sort of. The cocktail is very simple and inexpensive, but it does remain as one the world’s most popular cocktails. The cocktail comes from post Spanish-American War Cuba and its name is from the motto of the Cuban Independence movement of the time. Typically at Empire Mixology we don’t like to push specific brands in our cocktails, but this classic recipe technically calls for Bacardi Superior Silver Rum and Coca Cola. Note a Cuba Libre is not made with Spiced Rum, more commonly known as a Captain and Coke.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Silver Rum (Bacardi Superior)

• Fill Coca Cola

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 5.0 Stars

• Served: On the Rocks

• Strength: Light

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Sweet

Method:

Build ingredients with ice in a highball glass. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

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 Moscow Mule

About The Moscow Mule

Meet one of our favorites; the IBA Classic: Moscow Mule. Despite the name, the Moscow Mule did not originate from Moscow or Russia. The recipe was actually created in New York City in the early 1940s. The original recipe calls for Smirnoff Vodka as the crucial ingredient; the Russian styled vodka giving the namesake to this recipe. This drink enjoyed great popularity on the West Coast throughout the mid 1900s and helped propel Smirnoff into the limelight as a brand.

The copper mug has always been the primary serving vessel for the beverage and continues to this day. There is controversy about the copper mug from a recent FDA article stating the copper in the mug slowly poisons the drinker; however this is both true and untrue. A solid copper mug will release toxins into the drink at a very small level. Most modern copper mugs have a stainless steel lining on the interior of the mug rendering the cocktail completely safe.

This is one of our favorite cocktails, hands down. This refreshing recipe is perfect at any time during the day or as a perfect complement to any meal. Try out our recipe for yourself and see what you think.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• Fill Ginger Beer

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks – Copper Mug

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Refreshing

Method:

Add the vodka and lime juice to a mule mug or Collins glass filled with fresh ice and a lime wedge. Top with Ginger Beer and mound crushed ice over the top of the drink. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

The Sex on the Beach

About The Sex on the Beach

The IBA Contemporary Classic, the Sex on the Beach. This cocktail has been going strong for decades as a summer classic and cult favorite. Despite the provocative name, this cocktail is surprisingly smooth and sweet as the juices combine to eliminate the sharp bite of vodka. Easily enjoyed during a hot summer day or a night out with friends, this versatile recipe is an essential to keep in your toolkit and should be able to be ordered anywhere you go. We’ve also thrown in a shot-version recipe just for fun!

Ingredients:

For Cocktail Version:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• ½ oz. Peach Schnapps

• Equal parts Orange Juice & Cranberry Juice

For Shot Version:

• 1 part Vodka

• ½ part Peach Schnapps

• Splash of Orange Juice

• Splash of Cranberry Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       5.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:    Medium

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:        Sweet

Method:

Build all ingredients in highball glass with fresh ice. Pour vodka and schnapps first, then orange juice and then cranberry juice. Garnish with choice of orange slice or lemon with maraschino cherries.

For the shot version, shake ingredients lightly in shaker with ice and then strain into shot glass.

The Stinger

About The Stinger

You may not be familiar this one, but back in its heyday the Stinger was a popular evening beverage. Famous drinkers include Cary Grant and your idol and mine; James Bond. The Stinger used to be known as an evening drink or even as a hangover cure (yuck!). The Stinger is a fairly powerful cocktail that is typically drank slowly to avoid it, well, stinging you.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Cognac

• 1/2 oz. White Crème de Menthe

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Pour ingredients into mixing glass with ice and stir gently. Strain into martini glass or into rocks glass with ice if preferable.

The Gin Fizz

About The Gin Fizz

The New Orleans original has been in fashion since the 1800s, with its peak during the early to mid 1900s before it became an international sensation. Mostly seen now as a retro-classic cocktail, the Gin Fizz remains a pillar of modern mixology and can be changed to suit the individual drinker by substituting gin with whiskey or rum.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• 1.5 oz. Lemon Juice

• 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

• Top Club Soda

• 1 Lemon Slice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:  Medium

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, except the Club Soda. Strain into highball glass with fresh ice. Top with Club Soda and garnish with a lemon slice.

The Whiskey Sour

About The Whiskey Sour

The 1800s created a lot of cocktails that are considered classic, the Whiskey Sour is one of them. Unlike other drinks such as the Old Fashioned, this recipe has withstood the test of time and has never fallen too out of favor. The sweet and sour taste of this drink is pleasing to the palate and makes for a perfect evening drink.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Bourbon Whiskey

• 1 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

• 1/2 oz. Gomme Syrup

• Dash of egg white (optional)

• 1 Lemon Wedge for garnish

• 1 Maraschino Cherry for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Pour ingredients into cocktail shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with lemon wedge and maraschino cherry.

Empire Tip: The egg white ingredient is often skipped due to food allergies.

The Between The Sheets

About The Between The Sheets

The cousin of the Sidecar, the IBA Classic Between the Sheets is a product of Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France. There’s also claims it was invented in French brothels or rival hotels. This is a spirit forward cocktail that exudes class and a taste for vintage drinks. Order this at your local bar to impress the mixologist and the friends in your company.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Silver Rum

• 1 oz. Cognac

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• .5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:  Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

The Old Fashioned

About The Old Fashioned

One of the foundation recipes for any mixologist, the Old Fashioned is a time tested cocktail that is presently enjoying a revival thanks to the hit show Mad Men. First mentioned in the early 1800s, the true origin of this drink is shrouded in mystery with some sources pointing to the late 1870s as a possible inception date. Any self-respecting bartender/mixologist should master this recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Rye Whiskey

• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

• 1 Sugar Cube

• few dashes of Plain Water

• 1 Orange Rind

• 1 Orange Wheel for Garnish

• 1 Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

In an Old Fashioned glass add sugar cube, bitters, orange rind, and water. Muddle until well mixed and sugar mostly dissolved. Remove the orange rind and add Rye and ice. Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.

Empire Tip: Bourbon is commonly accepted as a substitute for Rye, and numerous recipes also call for Gin instead of Whiskey.

The Aviation

About The Aviation

This blast from the past hails from the Hotel Wallick in New York City. The following recipe is NOT the original recipe; it is the accepted IBA Classic recipe as recorded in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. The original recipe calls for Crème de Violette, however the ingredient is often overlooked or substituted for Crème de Cassis.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz gin

• 1/2 oz maraschino liqueur

• 1/4 oz crème de violette

• 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice

• Maraschino cherry (for garnish)

• Ice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Add all ingredients to an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake until well chilled. Strain into cocktail glass and garnish with cherry.

The Sazerac

About The Sazerac

The IBA Classic from the Big Easy makes a claim to be the oldest known American cocktail, with possible pre-Civil War origins. Although it can be a little tricky to make, this cocktail is typically a showcase drink for accomplished mixologists and is typically not in favor in the current bar scene. The Sazerac was named as the official cocktail of New Orleans in 2008.

Ingredients:

• .5 oz. Absinthe

• 2 oz. Cognac

• .5 oz. Simple Syrup

• 2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

• 1 Lemon Twist for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Complex

• Flavor:       Spirit

Method:

Rinse a chilled Old Fashioned glass with Absinthe, then fill with crushed ice. In a mixing glass (separate from the Old Fashioned glass), add all other ingredients and fill with ice. Stir until well chilled. Discard ice and excess absinthe in the Old Fashioned glass, and strain ingredients into glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

The Rusty Nail

About The Rusty Nail

You might think the Rusty Nail hails from Scotland; the world capital of scotch whisky, but the truth is no one really knows where this drink truly hails from. Some attribute the cocktail’s origin to Thailand, where this drink exploded in popularity. However, the NYC bartender scene is also given the same claim. This is a powerful drink not for the faint of heart, and is a popular suggestion for any scotch drinker.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Scotch Whisky

• 2/3 oz. Drambuie

• Lemon Twist for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor:       Strong

Method:

Pour all ingredients into old fashioned glass with ice. Gently stir and garnish with a lemon twist.

The Mojito

About The Mojito

The Mojito is yet another IBA Classic Cocktail originating from Havana, Cuba and is a distinct mixology icon. A long favored summer drink in Europe and all season favorite in the Caribbean and lower US states, the Mojito reached mainstream popularity in the 1930s thanks to celebrities such as Errol Flynn, Ernest Hemingway, and Brigitte Bardot.

The minty-lime flavor of the Mojito is easily substituted or added to in modern mixology; making the Mojito one of the most versatile cocktails in mixology today.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz. Light Rum

• 1 oz. Lime Juice

• 2 tsp. Fine Sugar (to taste)

• 2 Sprigs of Mint

• Soda Water

• Fresh Mint Leaves (for garnish)

• 4 Lime Wedges (for garnish)

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:  Medium

• Difficulty: Medium

• Flavor:       Mint

Method:

Add a few mint leaves, lime juice, one lime wedge, and sugar to a highball or desired glass. Muddle ingredients until most of the sugar has dissolved and the juices and oils from the mint and lime have been released. Fill the glass with ice, mint spring, and lime wedges, then pour rum over the ice and fill with soda water. Garnish with additional mint spring and lime wedge.