Being a newcomer to the whiskey scene can seem like a daunting venture, but the truth is that the bourbon style of whiskey is a very accessible way to enter the whiskey world. Bourbons can have a myriad of flavor variations and strengths that create a lot of options for newcomers. Our Empire Staff took the time to analyze the market and come up with a list of the Top 5 Beginner Bourbons for you to try in 2022.
First published in 1948 by David Embury’s The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, the Army & Navy is a classically styled cocktail that presents a floral and fragrant taste. This cocktail is reputed to be named after the rivalry between West Point and the Naval Academy in college sports.
2 oz. London Dry Gin
½ oz. Orgeat Syrup
½ oz. Lemon Juice
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Garnish with a Lemon Twist
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: Up
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Medium
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Meet the Empire Signature, the Brain Buster cocktail. This cocktail creates a powerful combination of flavors and blends them into a palatable cocktail that is sure to please. This cocktail will leave your head spinning and brain busted. Drinker beware, this cocktail packs a serious punch.
1 oz. Absinthe
1 oz. Rye Whiskey
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
Dash of Angostura Bitters
Dash of Lemon Juice
Lemon Twist for garnish.
Rating: 4 Stars
Served: Up
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Combine all ingredients with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Also known as the Hemingway Champagne, the Death in the Afternoon is a powerful and decadent cocktail that crosses Champagne with Absinthe. Said to be invented in Left Bank, Paris by Hemingway himself along with a few sailors; this recipe first appeared in the 1930s in Hemingway’s books. The goal of the cocktail is to mix the spirits enough that the mixture becomes opalescent and milky.
"Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly." -Ernest Hemingway
1 oz. Absinthe
Fill Champagne
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Pour 1 oz. Absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add chilled Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness.
This British cocktail hails from the British Army in the late 1800s. The Gunfire is traditionally served to the lower ranks of soldiers before an attack as a form of liquid courage. The cocktail is also drunk in celebration as well and on holidays. This simple cocktail is made by adding a shot of rum to a cup of black tea.
8 oz. Black Tea
1 oz. Rum
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: Hot
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Tea
Pour the tea into a cup. Pour the rum in and stir.
To be fair, there’s a few different versions of the Incredible Hulk depending on which region of the country you’re from. The most widely accepted version is used combining Hennessey© and Hypnotiq© to create a very strong and flavorful cocktail that is green in color. Named after the famous green brutish superhero, this cocktail lives up the strong aspect of the name and is a sipping drink served cold.
1 part Cognac
1 part Hypnotiq ©
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: On the Rocks
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Stir together and pour over ice.
The Crown Royal | Coming 2 America limited-edition pack is designed by Oscar-winning Costume Designer, Ruth E. Carter and features a bottle of Crown Royal Fine De Luxe Blended Canadian Whisky outfitted in a unique purple + gold stitched bag that ties back to the royal roots of Crown Royal. In addition, each bottle comes in a collector's edition Coming 2 America packaging. Crown Royal has a deep admiration for Ruth's work, which transcends culture through fashion and film, and her ability to utilize costume design to share stories and experiences.
Meet the Storm’s Warning! This offshoot of typical island Hurricane style drinks is the brainchild of our Lead Mixologist. Switching up our usual ingredients for more regional favorites such as Guava Juice lends a more authentic flavor palette to this beverage. Make sure to serve cold and garnish accordingly.
1½ oz. Gold Rum
¾ oz. Apple Brandy
½ oz. Triple Sec
3 oz. Guava Juice
¾ oz. Lime Juice
Lime Wheel, Cherry, Mint for garnish.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Served: On the Rocks
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Fruity
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and shake until chilled. Pour into Hurricane glass and garnish accordingly.
A custom creation from our Lead Mixologist, the King cocktail is a throwback recipe with a modern flavor twist. The grenadine brings out the inherent fruitiness of the rye spirit, while the rum and brandy keep the flavor bold. Try these flavors out and feel like you’re sipping on the throne with the King cocktail.
1 oz. Silver Rum
½ oz. Rye Whiskey
½ oz. Brandy
½ oz. Grenadine
½ oz. Lemon Juice
Lemon Twist
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Sweet
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.
This recipe is a simple and festive libation that will help spread holiday cheer. A light and refreshing cocktail sweetened by the cranberry juice, the frozen berry will act as an ice cube of sorts and will help to keep your drink chilled.
3 oz. Champagne/Sparkling Wine
1 oz. Cranberry Juice
1 Frozen Cranberry
1 Lime Wedge for Garnish
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Add frozen cranberry to the fluted glass. Add cranberry juice and sparkling wine. Squeeze lime gently on top and garnish.
The world famous brunch/hangover cocktail in all its glory; the Bloody Mary. The origins of this famous cocktail are shrouded in various claims. The first version which was just vodka and tomato juice originated in the New York Bar in Paris, France in the 1920s; but it wasn’t until the 1930s in New York City when the more modernized version became popular at the St. Regis Hotel. There are 1,001 versions of this cocktail so be a true mixologist and experiment until you find your perfect recipe!
1 oz. Vodka
3 Cups Tomato Juice
⅓ Cup Pickle Juice
3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
3 Tbsp. Lime Juice
1½ Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tbsp. Horseradish
¾ tsp. Tabasco Sauce
¾ tsp. Celery Salt
½ tsp. Coarse Black Pepper
¼ tsp. Garlic Powder
Celery Stalk, Pickle Spear, Olive, Lemon Wedge for Garnish
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: On the Rocks
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Complex
Flavor: A Garden
In a blender combine the tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, pickle juice, and hot sauce and blend until smooth. Add pepper and salt and then chill, preferably for two hours.
When serving add an ounce of vodka and garnish appropriately.
This 2005 cocktail hails from New York City and the Milk & Honey Bar. It’s name is an obvious takeaway from the drug Penicillin due to some of the medicinal qualities of its ingredients. The cocktail has drawn comparisons to the Hot Toddy as a “medicinal” cocktail. The Islay Style Scotch Whisky is supposed to be Lagavulin Scotch. Islay Scotch has a smokier profile and has more of a peat taste.
2 oz. Blended Scotch Whisky
¼ oz. Islay Style Scotch Whisky
¾ oz. Lemon Juice
¾ oz. Honey Syrup
2-3 Quarter-Sized Ginger Slices
Candied Ginger for Garnish
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: On the Rocks
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Herbal
Muddle fresh ginger in a shaker and add the remaining ingredients, except for the Islay Scotch whiskey. Fill the shaker with ice and shake. Double-strain into a chilled old fashioned glass with ice. Float the Islay whiskey on top.
The Fernandito, also known as the Fernet con Coca became an IBA Official Cocktail in 2020 after being Argentina’s favorite cocktail since the 1980s. Fernet-Branca© is a brand of Italian Bitters where 75% of its global output is sent to Argentina. Popular in college towns, this easygoing cocktail is simple to make and very flavorful.
1½ oz. Fernet-Branca©
Fill Cola
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: On the Rocks
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spiced
Fill a double old-fashioned glass with ice. Pour in the Fernet-Branca©, fill the glass with cola. Stir gently.
A dessert in a martini glass. The Chocolate Martini is a decadent cocktail that combines vodka & chocolate to create an excellent after-dinner option. This cocktail may not be as versatile as the Appletini and Cosmopolitan, but it some ways (especially in flavor) outdoes them completely.
½ oz. Vodka
1½ oz. Chocolate Liqueur
1½ oz. Creme de Cacao
2½ Heavy Cream
Chocolate Syrup for Garnish
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Chocolate
Shake ingredients with ice until very well chilled. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Drizzle chocolate syrup in glass for garnish.
Although the origin of the drink is unknown, one account says it came about around 1918 in the region of Alentejo in Portugal, with a popular recipe made with lemon, garlic, and honey, indicated for patients with the Spanish flu. The modern cocktail is still used as a remedy for the common cold. The Caipirinha is known as the national cocktail of Brazil.
1½ oz. Cachaça
2 tsp. Sugar
Half of a Lime cut into 4 Wedges
Rating: 4 Stars
Served: On the Rocks
Strength: Medium
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Lime
Place lime and sugar into old fashioned glass and muddle (mash the two ingredients together using a muddler or a wooden spoon). Fill the glass with ice and add the Cachaça.
The Vieux Carré is named for the French Quarter of New Orleans. The cocktail traces its origins to the 1930s but officially appeared in print in 1937. It is a rich in flavor cocktail that employs the use of decadent ingredients. Raise a toast to New Orleans!
1 oz. Rye Whiskey
1 oz. Cognac
1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
1 Barspoon Bénédictine©
2 Dashes of Peychaud’s Bitters
Orange Zest and Maraschino Cherry for Garnish
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Pour all ingredients into a mixing glass with ice cubes. Stir well. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with orange zest and a maraschino cherry.
This cocktail debuted in the 1980s but was not properly introduced on drink menus until 1996 in the SoHo neighborhood of New York City. The key ingredient in this cocktail is Chambord©, which is a French liqueur created in France since the late 1600s.
1½ oz. Vodka
½ oz. Raspberry Liqueur (Chambord©)
½ oz. Pineapple Juice
Lemon Peel for Garnish
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Sweet
Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Squeeze oil from lemon peel onto the drink.
The Paradise cocktail is the O.G. Gin and Juice cocktail made famous again by rapper Snoop Dogg. The cocktail originated in 1930 and was invented by famous mixologist Harry Craddock. The recipe has remained largely unchanged with the exception of variations on the amount of “juice” and brandy.
1¼ oz. Gin
¾ oz. Apricot Brandy
½ oz. Orange Juice
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Mild
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Fruity
Shake together over ice. Strain into cocktail glass and serve chilled.
Also known as the Aperol Spritz, also called just Spritz, is an Italian wine-based cocktail, commonly served as an aperitif in Northeast Italy. It consists of prosecco, Aperol and soda water. The original recipe has supposedly remained unchanged over time but it wasn't until the 1950s that Aperol Spritz became a popular alternative to the usual Venetian mix of white wine and soda.
3 oz. Prosecco
2 oz. Aperol
Splash of Soda Water
Orange Wheel for Garnish
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Served: On the Rocks
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Build all ingredients into a wine glass filled with ice. Stir gently.
The Naked and Famous is a new era cocktail that has been added to the list of IBA Official Cocktails. Although I typically discourage intensely specific cocktails due to their inability to replicate accurately, the Naked and Famous is a throwback to a bygone era of cocktails and has the flavor profile to back it up.
¾ oz. Mezcal
¾ oz. Aperol
¾ oz. Yellow Chartreuse
¾ oz. Lime Juice
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Served: Neat
Strength: Strong
Difficulty: Simple
Flavor: Spirit Forward
Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
