The Texas Tea

About The Texas Tea

Would you look at that, yet another variant of the Long Island Iced Tea! Meet it’s Southern cousin the Texas Tea! Adding a shot of Bourbon changes the flavor profile of this cocktail to be a bit bolder. The color also darkens slightly versus the OG Tea. Truth be told, the Empire Mixology Official Long Island Iced Tea is quite similar to this recipe due to the secret ingredient we use. (Check it out if you haven’t already!)

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1¼ oz. Rum

• ¾ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Bourbon Whiskey

• 4½ oz. Sour Mix

• Splash of Coca Cola

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Spirit

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 Martinez

About The Martinez

The Martinez is a classic cocktail that is widely regarded as the direct precursor to the Martini. It serves as the basis for many modern cocktails, and several different versions of the original exist. These are generally distinguished by the accompaniment of either Maraschino or Curacao, as well as differences in gin or bitters. The exact origin is unclear but it is widely agreed that it appeared before the 1900s.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• 1½ oz. Sweet Vermouth

• 1 Barspoon Maraschino Liqueur

• 2 Dashes of Orange Bitters

• Lemon Zest for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Stirred over ice, strained into a chilled glass, garnished, and served up.

The Lemon Drop

About The Lemon Drop

This San Francisco born cocktail originated in the 1970s and is both available in the martini style and shot form. This cocktail is a great balance of sweet and sour and is light, crisp, and refreshing. Highly recommended as a summertime cocktail, the Lemon Drop is a perfect sipping cocktail. Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended to enhance the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Lemon Vodka

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Citrus

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with sugar rim around the glass.

The Clover Club

About The Clover Club

The Clover Club dates back to the pre-Prohibition era in Philadelphia. The cocktail itself is named after the Gentlemen’s Club of the same name and first appeared in print around the year 1917. The cocktail has somewhat fallen out of favor due to its use of a raw egg white which has all but vanished from the mainstream cocktail scene today.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Raspberry Syrup

• 1 Egg White

• Lemon Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Dry shake ingredients to emulsify, add ice, shake and served straight up.

The John Collins

About The John Collins

Debuting in 1869’s Steward and Barkeeper's Manual . Some cocktail historians also pinpoint popular cocktails similar in composition in New York City a decade earlier. The Tom Collins variation appeared a few decades later and used Old Tom style Gin (hence the name change). The John Collins is a true classic in the world of mixology.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• Fill Carbonated Water

• Dash of Angostura Bitters

• Lemon Wedge and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour all ingredients directly into highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently. Garnish. Add a dash of Angostura bitters.

The Southside

About The Southside

The origins of the Southside are up to debate, some credit the origins to the South Shore of Long Island, NY to a club bearing the same name; whereas others attribute the cocktail to the South Side of Chicago and the gang of Al Capone.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. London Dry Gin

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 Drop of Egg White (optional)

• 5-6 Mint Leaves

• Orange Zest and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       3.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Shake well with ice and double-strain into a chilled cocktail glass

The Long Beach Iced Tea

About The Long Beach Iced Tea

Meet the floral and visually pleasant cousin of the Long Island Iced Tea (quite a big family isn’t it?). Taking away the sour mix and cola and bringing in cranberry juice with fresher lemon juice and simple syrup, the palette on this cocktail is a bit more bitter and hides the bite of alcohol through this method. Although it may be pretty it does still pack that all-to-familiar Long Island Punch!

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1¼ oz. Rum

• ¾ oz. Gin

• ¾ oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• Fill Cranberry Juice

• Lime Wheels and Mint for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Cranberry

Method:

Build ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice, except for the cranberry juice. Gently shake a few times to chill ingredients. Pour with ice into highball or pint glass. Fill cranberry juice and stir gently. Garnish with mint and lime wheels.

The Mai Tai

About The Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is perhaps the most famous Tiki cocktail and was invented in 1944. Trader Vic’s is credited with inventing the drink although friendly rival Don the Beachcomber claimed to invent a very different iteration of the drink in 1933. The name was allegedly taken from maita'i, the Tahitian word for "good" or "excellence." The Mai Tai was immensely popular in the Tiki Culture phase of the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Silver Rum

• ½ oz. Dark Rum

• ¾ oz. Orange Curacao

• ¾ oz. Lime Juice

• ½ oz. Orgeat Syrup

• Crushed Ice

• Spearmint & Lime Wedge for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Shake all ingredients except dark rum with ice. Strain into glass. Float Dark Rum over the top of the cocktail. Garnish and serve with straw.

The Old Cuban

About The Old Cuban

The Mojito connects with the French 75 in this old school throwback cocktail. This recipe hails from New York in the SoHo neighborhood. This modern cocktail is appetizing and pairs well with any sort of food. This cocktail is designed to be made with passion and requires patience; it’s not meant for speed.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Aged Rum

• 2 oz. Champagne/Prosecco

• 1 oz. Simple Syrup

• ¾ oz. Lime Juice

• 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

• 6-8 Mint Leaves

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Medium

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Minty

Method:

Pour all ingredients except the wine into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled elegant cocktail glass. Top up with the sparkling wine and garnish with mint sprigs

The Fall White Sangria

About The Fall White Sangria

Just in time for the upcoming fall season, meet the Fall White Sangria. This crisp and refreshing recipe is simple and flavorful. The crisp blending of fruits in this sangria make for a cool and refreshing flavor without the heavy-bodied feeling of a red sangria. This recipe is sure to become one of your favorites as we delve deeper into the fall season.

Ingredients: (makes a pitcher)

• 1 750mL Bottle of Pinot Grigio (or your preference)

• 2 oz. Brandy

• 8 oz. Lemon Lime Soda

• 1 Sliced Asian Pear

• 1 Sliced Fuji Apple

• 1 Cinnamon Stick

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Stir all ingredients in a pitcher with cut up and peeled fruits. Refrigerate and serve after six hours.

The Bramble

About The Bramble

This English IBA Cocktail hails from London and was invented in the 1980s. The name of the drink comes from the fact that blackberry bushes are called brambles. The Bramble was invented as a springtime cocktail ans is best enjoyed with “red fruits” such as blackberries, cranberries, and raspberries as something to snack on.

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Blackberry Liqueur

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• Crushed Ice

• Blackberry & Lemon Wheel for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Sweet

Method:

Fill glass with crushed ice. Build gin, lemon juice and simple syrup over. Stir, and then pour blackberry liqueur over in a circular fashion to create marbling effect. Garnish with two blackberries and lemon slice.

The Casino

About The Casino

This 1917 cocktail is an IBA Official Cocktail and is a very flavorful and strong drink. This classic has fallen out of popularity but still retains a unique flavor pattern and can be found in upscale lounges and not ironically, casinos!

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Maraschino Liqueur

• ½ oz. Fresh Lemon Juice

• 2 Dashes Orange Bitters

• Lemon Twist and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and a maraschino cherry. Serve without a straw.

The Russian Spring Punch

About The Russian Spring Punch

The Russian Spring Punch was created in London, England by Dick Bradsell in the 1980s. He claims not to remember which bar he was working at at the time, but tells the story of how he created the recipe for personal friends wishing to hold a cocktail party while minimizing the amount of money they had to spend on alcohol. Participants were provided with the vodka, cassis, simple syrup and lemon juice, and were asked to bring their own sparkling wine.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Vodka

• 1½ oz. Creme de Cassis

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• 1 oz. Lemon Juice

• Fill Sparkling Wine

• Garnish with Blackberries or Lemon Slice.

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Strong

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Spirit Forward

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker except the sparkling wine, shake well with ice, strain into chilled tall tumbler glass filled with ice and top up with sparkling wine.

The Banana Boat

About The Banana Boat

The Banana Boat is a Non-Alcoholic Pina Colada with the taste of banana. This dessert mocktail is very sweet and should be blended to properly incorporate all the flavors together. We recommend serving this cocktail in a margarita glass or highball. If being served to children we recommend limiting to one or two servings, as the acidic pineapple and base milk may upset some tummys.

Ingredients:

• 1 Banana

• 3 parts Milk

• 1 part Coconut Cream

• 1 part Pineapple Juice

Cocktail Profile

• Rating: 4.5 Stars

• Served: Frozen

• Strength: Non-Alcoholic

• Difficulty: Simple

• Flavor: Sweet Banana

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth and then present.

The Singapore Sling

About The Singapore Sling

The concept of a “Gin Sling” hails from the 1700s but the first appearance of the Singapore Sling can be dated to the 1930s in print, but was likely invented sometime around 1915 in Singapore. The cocktail has been made many different ways and for a long time had a vastly oversimplified recipe that was largely reminiscent of the Gin and Juice of the time. The Singapore Sling has been seen as a Mark of Mastery in recent times in a number of mixology schools.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Gin

• ½ oz. Cherry Liqueur

• ¼ oz. Triple Sec

• ¼ oz. Bénédictine

• ½ oz. Lime Juice

• ½ oz. Grenadine

• 4 oz. Pineapple Juice

• Dash of Angostura Bitters

• Pineapple Wedge & Maraschino Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.0 Stars

• Served:      Neat

• Strength:   Light

• Difficulty:  Simple

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into highball glass. Garnish with pineapple and cocktail cherry.

The Hurricane

About The Hurricane

Another creation from the Big Easy, this cousin of the Daiquiri was crafted in a New Orleans Speakeasy in the 1940s. The owner of the speakeasy Pat O’Brien needed to find a way to sell all of the less-popular rum that his distributors forced him to buy before he could buy the popular spirits. He concocted a mixture of rums with passion fruit syrup and lemon juice; and then poured it into a hurricane shaped glass. The drink caught on and has been a mainstay of tropical drink menus across the world. The Bahamanian version of the cocktail uses different ingredients such as coffee liqueur, Irish cream, and Grand Marnier.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Silver Rum

• 2 oz. Dark Rum

• 1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

• 1 oz. Orange Juice

• ½ oz. Passion Fruit Syrup

• ½ oz. Simple Syrup

• Dash of Grenadine

• Orange Wheel & Cherry for Garnish

Cocktail Profile

• Rating:       4.5 Stars

• Served:      On the Rocks

• Strength:   Mild

• Difficulty:  Medium

• Flavor:       Tropical

Method:

Shake ingredients with ice, then pour into the glass and serve over ice. Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.