The Fuzzy Navel

About The Fuzzy Navel

The Fuzzy Navel is yet another hallmark cocktail of the 1980s and was created by notable mixologist Ray Foley. The cocktail is light in alcohol content and easy on the taste due to its flavor profile of peach and orange. This drink can be made into a “Hairy Navel” by adding a shot of vodka into it.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Peach Schnapps

• 4 parts Orange Juice

• Orange Slice for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Fruity

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice. Stir until well mixed.

The Bee's Knees

About The Bee’s Knees

The Bee’s Knees hails from the Ritz in Paris in the year 1921. The namesake comes from the Prohibition Era where the term “That’s the Bee’s Knees” meant something was great and/or amazing. Frank Meier, the original head bartender at the Ritz is credited with this creation. There are quite a few variations to this recipe, however, the recipe listed below is the IBA Official recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Lemon Juice

• ¾ oz. Honey

• Lemon Wheel for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Gin but Sweet

Method:

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled large cocktail glass

The Horse's Neck

About The Horse’s Neck

Remarkably similar to cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Rye & Ginger; the Horse’s Neck is a cocktail from the late 19th century. Originally a non-alcoholic drink, the addition of originally bourbon was named the Horse’s Neck with a Kick. Brandy later became the premier spirit of choice for this recipe and with the non-alcoholic version falling out of its namesake, the cocktail simply became known as the Horse’s Neck. The addition of bitters is optional, however we highly recommend it, as it strongly diversifies the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Brandy

• 4 oz. Ginger Ale

• Few Dashes of Angostura Bitters

• Lemon Twist for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build Brandy and Ginger Ale in highball/lowball glass with fresh ice. Stir gently. Gently add a few dashes of Angostura Bitters if desired. Garnish with lemon twist.

The French Connection

About The French Connection

The classic French Connection cocktail is the marriage of the famous French Spirit Cognac, and the Italian Liqueur known as Amaretto. Named after the 1971 neo-noir film The French Connection starring Gene Hackman. It can be served on the rocks in a lowball glass or neat in a Brandy Snifter. For www.empiremixology.com purposes we chose the latter, although the lowball version is equally as good.

Ingredients:

• 2 parts Cognac

• 2 parts Amaretto

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks or Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build ingredients in serving glass with ice (if in lowball glass). 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 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 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 Gin Rickey

About The Gin Rickey

This cocktail hails from Washington D.C. in the late 19th century. It was created by Joe Rickey, a resident of the District who first called for a Bourbon Rickey. The beverage later exploded in popularity and was even featured in the F. Scott Fitzgerald great novel “The Great Gatsby.” The Gin Rickey became the most popular and enduring variation and remains part of his namesake.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• Fill Soda Water

• Lime Wheels for garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Lime

Method:

Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lime wheel.

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 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 Seven & Seven

About The Seven & Seven

The Seven & Seven is a simple recipe that can be also called “The Highball.” This simple two-step recipe involves using Seagram’s 7 Whiskey and 7-Up; hence the name Seven & Seven/7&7. This cocktail is easy to make and refreshign with a light and crisp taste.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Rye Whiskey

• Fill Lemon-Lime Soda

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Build all ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with lemon wedge.

The Woo Woo

About The Woo Woo

The Woo Woo is a variant of the grandaddy of Island Cocktails; the Cape Codder. A Woo Woo adds to the traditional recipe by adding in Peach Schnapps to make a fruity and smooth flavor. This recipe is a great spring/summer cocktail that is perfect for a warm sunny day. A variant of the Woo Woo is the Georgia Peach, which substitutes Silver Rum for the Vodka.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Vodka

• 1 oz. Peach Schnapps

• 3 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 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 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 Dive Bomber

About The Dive Bomber

Adding to our repertoire of Depth Charge cocktails, we introduce the Dive Bomber. The Dive Bomber delivers a sweet shot of schnapps & amaretto into a smooth lager styled beer. Remember to chug responsibly.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 oz. Root Beer Schnapps

• 1/3 oz. Amaretto

• 1 bottle of Lager-style Beer

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 3.5 Stars

• Served: Neat

• Strength: Medium

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Sweet

Method:

Mix amaretto and schnapps in a shot glass and then drop into a pint glass of beer. Chug (responsibly!).

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.