Empress Old Fashioned



Empress Old Fashioned

This Empress Old Fashioned keeps the classic spirit-forward structure of the traditional cocktail but adds a stunning lavender-purple hue and gentle floral botanicals from Empress 1908 Gin. Smooth, lightly sweet, and visually captivating—this drink is perfect for evenings when you want something refined and modern.


✨ Ingredients (1 Cocktail)

For the Cocktail

  • 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin

  • ½ oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water), adjust to taste

  • 2–3 dashes orange bitters

  • 1–2 dashes Aromatic bitters (Angostura-style), optional for depth

  • 1 large clear ice cube or several small cubes

For Garnish

  • Orange peel (wide strip, fresh)

  • Lemon peel (optional, for added brightness)

  • Edible flowers or lavender sprig (optional, elegant finish)


✨ Instructions

1. Prepare Your Glass

  1. Use a chilled Old Fashioned glass or short rocks glass.

  2. Add the large clear ice cube to keep the drink cold without diluting too quickly.


2. Build the Cocktail

  1. In a mixing glass, combine:

    • 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin

    • ½ oz simple syrup

    • 2–3 dashes orange bitters

    • (Optional) 1–2 dashes aromatic bitters

  2. Add ice and stir for 20–25 seconds until well chilled.

    • Over-stirring will dilute; under-stirring will make it boozy and warm.


3. Strain and Serve

  1. Strain the chilled mixture into your prepared glass with the large ice cube.

  2. Express a strip of orange peel over the top:

    • Hold the peel over the drink and squeeze gently to release fragrant oils.

  3. Rub the peel lightly around the rim of the glass, then drop it into the drink.

  4. Optional: add a lemon peel twist or garnish with a small edible flower/lavender sprig for an elegant touch.





✨ Flavor Notes

  • Empress 1908 Gin brings a soft juniper base, grapefruit, tea botanicals, and its signature butterfly pea flower color.

  • The bitters and syrup balance the floral notes and give the cocktail a smooth, lightly sweet, aromatic profile.

  • Color will stay a deep indigo-violet unless lemon peel or citrus juice is added (which shifts it toward pink).


✨ Tips for the Perfect Empress Old Fashioned

  • Use clear ice: enhances presentation and melts more slowly.

  • Adjust sweetness:

    • ¼ oz syrup for a drier drink

    • Up to ¾ oz for a smoother, sweeter sip

  • Bitters selection matters:

    • Orange bitters highlight citrus botanicals

    • Aromatic bitters add warmth and complexity

    • Lavender or hibiscus bitters create a floral version

  • Avoid shaking: this drink should be silky, not cloudy.


✨ Variations

➤ Empress Earl Grey Old Fashioned

  • Swap simple syrup for Earl Grey tea syrup

  • Add a dash of lavender bitters

  • Garnish with expressed lemon peel

➤ Spiced Empress Old Fashioned

  • Use spice syrup (cinnamon, clove, star anise)

  • Add 1 dash Angostura bitters

  • Garnish with orange peel + star anise pod

➤ Floral Garden Empress Old Fashioned

  • Use honey-lavender syrup

  • Add rose or hibiscus bitters

  • Garnish with edible flowers

➤ Citrus-Forward Empress Old Fashioned

  • Add 1 barspoon of orange liqueur (Cointreau or Grand Marnier)

  • Use orange + grapefruit peel for garnish


✨ Serving Suggestions

Serve during:

  • Elegant dinner parties

  • Romantic evenings

  • Sunset cocktails

  • Holiday gatherings

  • Gin-tasting nights

Pairs beautifully with:

  • Cheese boards

  • Smoked salmon

  • Dark chocolate

  • Light citrus desserts

OTHER RECIPES



EMPRESS 1908

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Empress 1908 Gin
  • .75 oz Pisco
  • .25 oz simple syrup
  • 3 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • 3 dashes Peychauds Bitters

Instructions

Stir together on ice. 

Garnish with a Lemon twist. 

Cool. Enjoy the  Empress Old Fashioned recipes. !!!

 Empress Old Fashioned Video :





CRAB MEAT COCKTAIL


CRAB MEAT COCKTAIL RECIPE

A chilled crab meat cocktail is a timeless starter—light, refreshing, and beautifully seasoned. This expanded version includes a flavorful homemade cocktail sauce, preparation tips, serving ideas, and variations.


✨ Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Crab Cocktail:

  • 1 lb (450 g) fresh lump crab meat, picked over for shells

  • 1 small celery stalk, finely minced

  • 2 tbsp red onion or shallot, finely minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

  • 1 tsp lemon zest

  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

  • 1–2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (optional, for flavor richness)

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • A few dashes hot sauce (optional, to taste)

For the Classic Cocktail Sauce:

  • 1 cup ketchup

  • 3–4 tbsp prepared horseradish (adjust heat level)

  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tsp hot sauce (such as Tabasco)

  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika or regular paprika

  • Pinch of salt

Optional Garnishes:

  • Lemon wedges

  • Fresh dill or extra parsley

  • Chopped chives

  • Paprika dusting

  • Baby lettuce, shredded


✨ Instructions

1. Prepare the Cocktail Sauce

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together:

    • ketchup

    • horseradish

    • Worcestershire

    • hot sauce

    • lemon juice

    • paprika

    • a pinch of salt

  2. Adjust flavor:

    • More horseradish for heat

    • More lemon for brightness

    • More ketchup for sweetness

  3. Chill the sauce for at least 20 minutes to deepen the flavors.


2. Prepare the Crab Mixture

  1. Carefully pick through the crab to remove any remaining shells or cartilage.

  2. In a mixing bowl, combine:

    • crab meat

    • minced celery

    • red onion/shallot

    • parsley

    • lemon zest

  3. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil (or melted butter).

  4. Season lightly with salt, pepper, and optional hot sauce.

  5. Toss gently to avoid breaking the delicate crab lumps.

  6. Chill for 15–20 minutes.


3. Assemble the Crab Cocktails

  1. Use chilled cocktail glasses, parfait glasses, or small serving bowls.

  2. Add a spoonful of cocktail sauce at the base (optional).

  3. Fill each glass with the chilled crab mixture.

  4. Top with an extra spoonful of cocktail sauce.

  5. Garnish with lemon wedges, fresh herbs, and a light sprinkle of paprika.





✨ Serving Suggestions

  • Serve immediately while well-chilled.

  • Pair with:

    • buttered toast points

    • crackers

    • thinly sliced baguette

    • crisp lettuce cups

Perfect for:

  • holiday dinners

  • seafood nights

  • brunch buffets

  • cocktail parties


✨ Variations

➤ West Coast Style

  • Add diced avocado

  • Mix in lime juice instead of lemon

  • Add a spoon of chipotle mayo

➤ Mediterranean Style

  • Add diced cucumber, tomatoes, olives

  • Dress with olive oil, oregano, and lemon

➤ Asian-Inspired

  • Mix crab with sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and green onion

  • Serve with a spicy chili-lime dipping sauce

➤ Spicy Cajun Cocktail

  • Add Cajun seasoning, extra hot sauce, and chopped sweet peppers


✨ Chef Tips

  • Use the best crab available—lump or jumbo lump gives the most luxurious texture.

  • Keep everything cold for maximum freshness and flavor.

  • Don’t overmix or the crab will shred.

  • Make ahead: You can mix the sauce and prep ingredients a day in advance; combine with crab just before serving.


OTHER RECIPES




COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup whipped cream
  • 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
  • 1 cup crab meat
  • 2 scallions or chives, chopped

COCKTAIL INSTRUCTIONS


Beat one cup of mayonnaise into one cup of whipped cream, add half a cup of tomato ketchup. 
Add chopped scallions or chives. 
Mix with a large cup of crab meat or imitation crab meat.
Chill on ice and serve in cocktail glasses....a great cocktail recipe....

CRAB MEAT COCKTAIL Video:



STRAWBERRY KIWI COCKTAIL


STRAWBERRY KIWI COCKTAIL

Strawberry Kiwi Cocktail

Ingredients

For the fruit base:

  • 4–5 fresh strawberries, hulled

  • 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced

  • ½–1 oz simple syrup (adjust to sweetness)

For the cocktail:

  • 2 oz vodka (or rum/tequila for variations)

  • 1 oz fresh lime juice

  • Ice

  • Sparkling water, lemon-lime soda, or tonic (optional topper)

Garnish:
Sliced strawberry, kiwi wheel, or mint


Instructions

  1. Muddle the fruit
    In a shaker, muddle the strawberries, kiwi, and simple syrup until juicy and well mashed.

  2. Add the spirits
    Add vodka and lime juice, then fill the shaker with ice.

  3. Shake well
    Shake vigorously until chilled.

  4. Strain
    Double strain into a chilled glass filled with fresh ice.
    (If you like pulp, you can single strain.)

  5. Top (optional)
    Add a splash of sparkling water, soda, or tonic for a lighter drink.

  6. Garnish
    Add a kiwi slice, strawberry, or mint sprig.


Variations

  • Frozen Strawberry Kiwi Cocktail:
    Blend all ingredients with a cup of ice.

  • Rum version:
    Use white rum for a tropical twist.

  • Tequila version:
    Excellent as a fruity margarita-style drink.

  • Mocktail version:
    Skip the alcohol, add extra muddled fruit, and top with sparkling water.


OTHER SOURCES



INGREDIENTS
  • 1 part Welch's Strawberry Rasberry concentrate (in cans)
  • 1 part Absolut vodka
  • 2 parts Mountain Dew
  • 1 part Malibu Rum
  • 1 teaspoon sugar

INSTRUCTIONS
In a cocktail shaker, shake well over crushed ice. 
Strain mixture into a chilled glass filled with whole ice cubes. Enjoy !
VIDEO:



JACK ROSE COCKTAIL


JACK ROSE COCKTAIL

Jack Rose Cocktail

Ingredients

  • 2 oz applejack (or apple brandy)

  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice (or lime juice, traditional in some early recipes)

  • ½–¾ oz grenadine (homemade or high-quality preferred)

  • Ice

  • Lemon twist or cherry, for garnish (optional)


Instructions

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.

  2. Add applejack, lemon (or lime) juice, and grenadine.

  3. Shake vigorously until well chilled.

  4. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with a lemon twist or a maraschino cherry.


Tips & Variations

  • Sweeter cocktail? Increase grenadine to ¾ oz.

  • Tarter version? Use lime juice instead of lemon.

  • Homemade grenadine (pomegranate juice + sugar) makes a big difference in color and flavor.

  • For a deeper apple character, use bonded applejack (100 proof).


OTHER SOURCES

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 jigger domestic Applejack
  • the juice of 1/2 lemon or lime
  • 2 dashes grenadine syrup

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice and shake well.

Pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or rosemary or a twist of lemon.

VIDEO:


INCOME TAX COCKTAIL


INCOME TAX COCKTAIL

Here’s a classic and elegant Income Tax Cocktail — a vintage gin-based drink that’s smooth, aromatic, and just a little bit bitter, perfect for sipping after a long day (perhaps even tax day!). πŸΈπŸ’Ό


πŸ’° INCOME TAX COCKTAIL

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin

  • ¾ oz fresh orange juice

  • ¼ oz sweet vermouth

  • ¼ oz dry vermouth

  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters

  • Orange twist or slice, for garnish


🍸 Instructions:

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.

  2. Add gin, orange juice, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, and bitters.

  3. Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold (about 10–15 seconds).

  4. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.

  5. Garnish with an orange twist or slice for a bright citrus aroma.


🍊 Flavor Profile:

The Income Tax Cocktail balances the botanical sharpness of gin, the citrus sweetness of orange juice, and the smooth complexity of vermouth, with just a touch of bitterness from the Angostura.
It’s often described as a “Bronx Cocktail with bitters.”


πŸ•°️ History:

This cocktail dates back to the Prohibition era (1920s–1930s). Legend says it was named “Income Tax” because of the added bitters — representing the “bitterness” of paying taxes!


πŸ’‘ Tips & Variations:

  • Use London Dry gin for a crisp, classic flavor or Old Tom gin for a softer, slightly sweeter touch.

  • If you like it less tart, reduce the orange juice to ½ oz.

  • Serve it up (no ice) in a coupe glass for a refined presentation.


🧾 Summary (Quick Recipe Card):

Income Tax Cocktail
πŸ₯ƒ 2 oz gin
🍊 ¾ oz orange juice
🍷 ¼ oz sweet vermouth
🍸 ¼ oz dry vermouth
πŸ§‚ 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Shake with ice → strain → garnish with orange twist.

OTHER RECIPES


INGREDIENTS
  • 1 dash Angostura Bitters
  • juice of 1/2 orange
  • 1/2 French or Italian dry Vermouth (or 1/4 each)
  • 1/2 Dry Gin

INSTRUCTIONS
Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with cracked ice and shake. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass.

VIDEO: