The Mountain Dew

About The Mountain Dew

We get how you feel about Mountain Dew, because we feel the same way. Now you can enjoy that flavor (sort of) in a dedicated Depth Charge Cocktail known as the Mountain Dew. Although this recipe is called a Mountain Dew because of the color and the fact the primary base is soda, it still does have a very sweet taste and is reminiscent of a soda type drink.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Melon Liqueur

• 1 oz. Vodka

• Fill Lemon Lime Soda

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Depth Charge

• Strength: Mild

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Sweet

Method:

Prepare highball or pint glass with 1 oz. Vodka and fill with lemon-lime soda. Drop the shot of Melon Liqueur into the glass and chug (responsibly)!

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 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 Night Train

About The Night Train

The Night Train is an after-dinner cocktail that is similar to profile to an Irish Coffee but adds Vodka instead. Complimenting and assisting the vodka addition is the ingredient of Hazelnut Liqueuer. This helps add immense flavor to the cocktail whilst masking the Vodka aftertaste. This cocktail is best enjoyed in cozy company.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Hazelnut Liqueur

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• Fill Hot Coffee

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.0 Stars

• Served: Hot

• Strength: Mild

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Coffee

Method:

Mix ingredients together gently in serving glass.

The Manmosa

About The Manmosa

So you have a dilemma; you hate tomato juice so the Bloody Mary is out but you think the Mimosa is too girly. We can help, try the MANmosa; a kicked up version of the Mimosa that is sure to make people forget about questioning your masculinity. This version of the breakfast traditional features the addition of vodka and beer instead of champagne.

Ingredients:

• 1 Bottle of Blue Moon®

• 2 oz. Vodka

• 8 oz. Orange Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Brunchy

Method:

Split the ingredients into two highball glasses. Gently stir and enjoy breakfast.

The Pimm's Cup

About The Pimm’s Cup

The English Classic itself, the Pimm’s Cup is a crisp and refreshing cocktail that originated across the Pond in the mid 1800s. This recipe is designed as a sipping summer-style cocktail and is a notable libation served at Wimbledon. In the United States, the Pimm’s Cup found a home in New Orleans and surrounding areas as a way to relax and beat the summer heat.

Empire Tip: Try Ginger Ale instead of Lemon-Lime Soda.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Pimm’s No. 1 Cup

• 3 oz. Lemon Lime Soda

• Cucumber Slice (for garnish)

• Strawberry (for garnish)

• Orange Slices/Wheels (for garnish)

• Mint Sprig (for garnish)

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: On the Rocks

• Strength: Light

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Add all ingredients to highball glass with fresh ice. Top with Pimm’s No. 1 Cup for visual effect, stir to serve. Add optional garnishes to increase subtle flavors.

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 Snakebite

About The Snakebite

The Snakebite is the flavorful marriage of Hard Cider and Lager Style Beer. This combination renders a drink reminiscent of the sweetness of hard cider with the heavier content of a lager. This recipe hails from England (Most beer cocktails seem to) and has remained a casual favorite amongst pub-goers worldwide.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Hard Cider

• 1 part Lager

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Spirit Forward

Method:

Combine ingredients in a pint glass.

The Pirate's Death

About The Pirate’s Death

Time to walk the plank. Meet the Pirate’s Death Depth Charge! This cocktail involves dropping a shot of Spiced Rum (the Pirate) into a glass of Blue Curacao mixed with Lemon Lime Soda (the Ocean). Technically, if you’re gonna use any spiced rum for this only the Captain will do, but then again maybe the Captain shouldn’t walk the plank into the wild blue ocean.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Spiced Rum

• 1 oz. Blue Curacao

• Fill Lemon Lime Soda

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:  Medium

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Pour the Spiced Rum into a shot glass. Fill a pint glass with Lemon Lime Soda and Blue Curacao and then stir gently. Drop the shot glass of Spiced Rum into the pint glass (shot glass too!). Drink the contents quickly, yet responsibly.

The Purple Hooter Shooter

About The Purple Hooter

This super simple recipe is a must know for all you aspiring bartenders out there. This super simple recipe is easy to make and involves a relatively unused flavor profile. This recipe is easy to make and take, meaning your guests and customers will consistently come back for more. We recommend using a flavorless vodka in order to prevent the flavor profile from being harshly adjusted.

Ingredients:

• 1 part Vodka

• 1 part Raspberry Liqueur

• Splash of Lemon LIme Soda

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:       Straight

• Strength:    Mild

• Difficulty:    Simple

• Flavor:         Raspberry

Method:

Pour ingredients into a stainless steel shaker over ice. Shake until ice cold. Strain into a large shot glass, and serve.

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.

Review: Asylum 13

First off, from myself, and everyone at Empire Mixology, we hope you and your families are staying safe, and healthy during this crazy time. 

Why we all are in quarantine, and many of our favorite cigar shops may be closed (this is why our humidors should all be full, am I right?), it is a perfect time to sit on the porch and relax with one of your favorite cigars. My cigar of choice this week is Asylum 13. This cigar is wrapped in a dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper.  Asylum 13 is a medium-full bodied cigar that packs a punch of flavor. The Asylum 13 offers a rich earthy undertone combined with a cocoa coffee bean flavor. 

Even though the asylum 13 is categorized as a medium- full-bodied cigar, in my opinion it tends to lean more towards a full bodied cigar due to its dark Nicaraguan Habano wrapper, and its aged Cuban seed long fillers. This cigar comes in an array of sizes, and shapes, and is a must try! 

Shapes: Gordo, Lancero/Panatela , Robusto
Binder: Nicaraguan 
Filler: Nicaraguan 
Notes: Coffee, Cocoa

Let us know by sharing what cigars and drinks you all are making while being at stuck at home.

Remember we are all in this together! As we practice social distancing remember Empire Mixology is only one click or swipe away from getting full access to tips tricks and ideas for your next drink or cigar.  Let your drinks be full, and your humidors be fuller. Stay healthy my friends.

Credits:
https://www.cigarsinternational.com/p/asylum-13-cigars/1412140/ 
https://kohnhed.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/as2.jpg?w=700

The Toasted Almond

About The Toasted Almond

Introducing your new favorite dessert cocktail. The Toasted Almond is an offshoot of the White Russian designed to deliver an easy flavor and smooth finish. Implementing Coffee Liqueur and Amaretto, along with milk or cream; the Toasted Almond is a constant hit for coffee hour or just leisurely drinking.

Empire Tip: Add a shot of vodka to this recipe to make the Roasted Toasted Almond.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 oz. Amaretto Liqueur

• 1 1/2 oz. Coffee Liqueur

• 2 oz. Milk

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into old fashioned glass with fresh ice.

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 Black and Tan

About The Black and Tan

Meet the pre-1900 English Special known as the Black & Tan. A simple and long lasting recipe that is still popular today throughout the world. Although modern companies manufacture pre-mixed Black & Tans, there’s still nothing quite like making it yourself. The blend of flavors and densities makes a one of kind flavor profile. Note: If you go to Ireland, call it a Half and Half. (Black & Tan is a politically incorrect/offensive term in Ireland).

Ingredients:

• 1 part Pale Ale

• 1 part Stout

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Earthy

Method:

Pour Pale Ale into the pint glass until half full (or half empty, your opinion), then layer the stout on top of the ale.