61 Imperial

The 61 Imperial is a vibrant, multi-layered long drink, a sweet highball packed with a surprising punch. It’s built for those seeking a fun, tropical escape in a glass, often found at poolside bars or during a lively night out. Its bright blue color and fruity profile make it an instant crowd-pleaser for guests who prefer their cocktails sweet and easy to drink, despite the underlying strength.

61 Imperial

4.60 from 27 votes

Calories: 280kcal

Prep Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Instructions

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In a tall chimney glass or hurricane glass. fill with cubed ice; add all liquor except the blue curacao. Add the Juice - PineJuice - Apple Juice. stir well. and float the blue curacao on top. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry. and ser

Estimated Nutrition:

Calories: 280kcal (14%)Carbohydrates: 27g (9%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mg (3%)Potassium: 146mg (4%)Sugar: 26g (29%)Vitamin A: 100IU (2%)Vitamin C: 19mg (23%)Iron: 0.7mg (4%)

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Where it came from

The 61 Imperial doesn’t have a clear historical record, suggesting it’s more of a modern, perhaps resort-born, creation. Its use of multiple spirits, fruit juice, and a vibrant liqueur points to a style popular from the 1980s onwards, especially in vacation destinations where strong, sweet, and visually appealing drinks are in high demand. It’s the kind of drink you’d find on a laminated menu at a beachside bar.

This drink fits loosely into the ‘resort highball’ or ‘tropical long drink’ category. It shares DNA with drinks like a Blue Hawaiian for its color and tropical vibe, or a Long Island Iced Tea due to the multiple base spirits. What sets the 61 Imperial apart is the potent Overproof Rum and distinct banana note, which gives it a unique, boozy sweetness.

You’d typically find or serve a 61 Imperial at a casual beach bar, a cruise ship lounge, or a lively club where the focus is on fun, visually striking drinks. It’s a party starter, not a contemplative sipper, best enjoyed in a setting that matches its vibrant, carefree energy.

What it tastes like

On the first sip, the 61 Imperial hits with a sweet, ripe banana flavor from the creme de bananes, quickly followed by the crisp, tart notes of apple juice. The blue curacao adds a citrus tang and a hint of orange, while the trio of rums and vodka provide a warming, boozy backbone that lingers through the finish. It’s a sweet, fruit-forward experience with a noticeable alcoholic kick.

Don’t let the fruit juice fool you, this drink carries a serious kick. With about 1.075 ounces of pure alcohol across 7 ounces of liquid, the 61 Imperial clocks in around 15% ABV. That’s equivalent to roughly 1.8 standard drinks, meaning it’s significantly stronger than a typical beer and about twice the alcohol content of many spirit-forward cocktails like an Old Fashioned, despite its long, refreshing presentation.

The technique

Building the 61 Imperial is straightforward. Grab your tall chimney or hurricane glass and fill it with cubed ice. Add your white rum, vodka, OP rum, creme de bananes, and apple juice directly into the glass. Give it a good stir to combine everything and chill the mixture thoroughly. Finally, carefully float the blue curacao on top for that striking layered effect, then garnish and serve.

The most important technique here is the float of the blue curacao. Pouring it slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the drink’s surface allows it to layer on top, creating a vibrant blue cap that makes the drink visually pop. Rushing this step will mix the curacao in, losing the distinctive color separation that makes the 61 Imperial so appealing.

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Ingredient Spotlight

The bottles that make or break this drink.

OP Rum

Use: Look for a high-quality Overproof Rum like Wray & Nephew, Lemon Hart 151, or Bacardi 151 (if you can find it). These rums bring a powerful, often ester-rich, backbone to the drink.
Skip: Don’t substitute with a standard 40% ABV white rum. You’ll lose the potent kick and much of the character that the Overproof rum contributes, resulting in a much weaker, less impactful drink.
Why: The Overproof Rum is the engine of the 61 Imperial. It provides a significant alcoholic punch and a distinct flavor profile that cuts through the sweetness and fruit, preventing the drink from becoming cloyingly mild.

Blue Curacao Liqueur

Use: A reputable brand like Bols, Senior & Co., or Giffard will offer the best balance of color, orange flavor, and sweetness. Quality matters for both visual appeal and taste integration.
Skip: Avoid generic, artificially flavored blue syrups or extremely cheap curacaos. They often lack the true bitter orange flavor and can leave an unpleasant aftertaste, compromising the drink’s profile.
Why: Blue Curacao is essential for both the iconic color and the citrus notes it brings. It provides a necessary counterpoint to the sweetness of the banana and apple, adding complexity and visual flair.

Three Variations

Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.

Tropical Imperial

Swap apple for pineapple juice for a more pronounced tropical vibe.: By replacing apple juice with pineapple juice, the drink leans further into a classic tiki profile. The tartness of pineapple complements the banana and rum, creating a sunnier, more vacation-ready flavor.

Red Imperial

Substitute Blue Curacao with grenadine for a ruby-hued alternative.: For a different visual and flavor twist, use grenadine instead of blue curacao. This will give the drink a vibrant red hue and add a sweet, berry-like note that pairs well with the rum and banana.

Spiced Imperial

Replace White Rum with Spiced Rum for added complexity.: Swapping the white rum for a quality spiced rum introduces warm notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This adds another layer of flavor that complements the banana and apple, making it a richer, more aromatic experience.

What if I don't have…

Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.

No OP Rum?

You can use a standard dark rum or aged rum, but be aware the drink will be significantly less potent and the flavor profile will shift. Consider adding an extra half ounce of white rum to compensate for some lost strength.

No Creme De Bananes?

A banana liqueur like 99 Bananas or a banana syrup can work, though the sweetness and ABV will differ. For a more natural banana flavor, muddle a few slices of fresh banana in the glass before adding ice.

No Blue Curacao Liqueur?

An orange liqueur like Triple Sec or Cointreau can provide the orange flavor, but you’ll lose the blue color. For color, a tiny drop of blue food coloring can be used with a clear orange liqueur, but it’s not ideal.

No Apple Juice?

Pineapple juice is a common and effective substitute, pushing the drink towards a more tropical profile. White grape juice could also work for a similar sweetness and body, though with a different flavor.

No tall chimney glass or hurricane glass?

Any large highball glass, pint glass, or even a large wine glass will work in a pinch. The goal is to accommodate the volume and ice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.

What is in a 61 Imperial?

A 61 Imperial contains white rum, vodka, overproof rum, creme de bananes, blue curacao liqueur, and apple juice. It’s typically garnished with a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry.

Is the 61 Imperial a strong drink?

Yes, with three types of spirits, including overproof rum, the 61 Imperial is a potent cocktail. It contains roughly 1.8 standard drinks in a single serving.

What does a 61 Imperial taste like?

It tastes sweet and fruity, with prominent banana and apple flavors, brightened by citrus from the blue curacao. There’s a clear alcoholic warmth from the rum and vodka underlying the fruit.

Why is it called 61 Imperial?

The exact origin of the name ’61 Imperial’ is not widely documented. It’s likely a creative or house name given by a bar or bartender, perhaps referencing a specific year, location, or simply sounding grand.

What’s the best occasion for a 61 Imperial?

This drink is perfect for casual parties, poolside gatherings, beach vacations, or any setting where you want a fun, sweet, and visually striking cocktail with a good kick.

Can I make a less alcoholic version of the 61 Imperial?

To reduce the alcohol, you can decrease the amount of overproof rum or omit the vodka. You could also increase the apple juice slightly, but this will dilute the flavor significantly.

What garnishes work best with a 61 Imperial?

A pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry are classic garnishes that complement the tropical, fruity vibe and add a pop of color.

Is the 61 Imperial a tropical drink?

While not a traditional tiki cocktail, its use of rum, fruit juice, and a vibrant liqueur gives it a strong tropical, resort-style feel.

From the Drink Lab catalogue

Drink Lab has been collecting cocktail recipes since 2013. Some we wrote ourselves, plenty came in from readers, and the rest got passed across a bar somewhere along the way.

Last updated May 8, 2026 · 1 min read