Ingredients
- .75 oz Apricot Brandy
- 1.5 oz Gin
- .5 oz Apple Brandy
Instructions
- Add the apricot brandy, gin, and apple brandy into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously until the mixture is well chilled.
- Strain the cocktail into a cocktail glass.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Empire Cocktail, like many spirit-forward classics, likely emerged in the early to mid 20th century. Its name suggests a certain grandiosity, but its precise origin remains elusive. It belongs to a category of drinks where the quality of the base spirits truly shines, appealing to drinkers who appreciate a strong, unadorned cocktail rather than a fruity concoction.
This cocktail sits comfortably among the spirit-forward shaken drinks, though it lacks the citrus often found in that family. Think of it as a distant cousin to a gin-based Old Fashioned or a variation on a classic brandy cocktail, but with the added chill and slight dilution from shaking. It distinguishes itself by its dual brandy fruit notes without any added sweeteners beyond what’s in the brandies themselves.
You would typically find or serve an Empire Cocktail in a quiet, classic cocktail bar or a well-appointed home bar. It’s a drink for unwinding, not for a rowdy night out. It works well as a pre-dinner drink to stimulate the palate or as a sophisticated nightcap.
What it tastes like
The Empire Cocktail offers an intriguing flavor journey. Upfront, you get the crisp, botanical notes of gin. This quickly gives way to the rich, slightly sweet apricot brandy, which then transitions into the drier, more structured apple brandy. The finish is long, warm, and boozy, with lingering fruit essences and a pleasant juniper spice.
This is a potent drink. Assuming standard strengths of 42% ABV for gin and apple brandy, and 25% for apricot brandy, a 2.75 ounce Empire Cocktail clocks in around 37% ABV. That makes it significantly stronger than a typical 5% ABV beer and more robust than many standard 25-30% ABV cocktails. Treat it with respect.
The technique
Building an Empire Cocktail is straightforward. Combine all your ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker completely with fresh, solid ice. Shake hard for about 15 to 20 seconds, ensuring proper chilling and dilution. Once adequately chilled, double strain the mixture into a pre-chilled cocktail glass to remove any ice shards.
The most important technique here is a proper, vigorous shake. Because this drink contains no citrus or egg white, the shaking serves primarily to chill the drink thoroughly and provide essential dilution. A weak shake will result in a lukewarm, overly boozy drink, lacking the smooth texture a well-chilled cocktail provides.
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Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Apricot Brandy
- Use
- Good quality apricot brandy, like Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Abricot or Rothman & Winter Apricot Liqueur. Look for products with genuine fruit flavor and a balanced sweetness, not cloying.
- Skip
- Avoid overly sweet apricot schnapps or cheap fruit-flavored liqueurs. They often taste artificial and will throw off the drink’s balance, making it syrupy and less refined.
- Why
- Apricot brandy provides the primary fruit sweetness and a unique stone fruit aroma that defines the drink’s character. It softens the gin and bridges the gap to the apple brandy.
Gin
- Use
- A classic London Dry gin works best here, offering a juniper-forward backbone without being overly floral or citrusy. Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Gordon’s are reliable choices.
- Skip
- Highly botanical or New Western style gins can clash with the fruit brandies, creating a muddled flavor profile. Save those for drinks where their unique characteristics can shine.
- Why
- Gin forms the structural base of the Empire Cocktail, providing a dry, aromatic counterpoint to the brandies. Its botanicals add complexity and a refreshing edge to an otherwise rich spirit blend.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink. Same idea, three different jackets.
Empire Sour
- A citrusy twist on the original
- Add .75 oz fresh lemon juice and .5 oz simple syrup to the shaker with the other ingredients. Shake well and strain into a chilled coupe.
Spiced Empire
- A dash of aromatic complexity
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters or a similar aromatic bitter to the shaker before shaking. This introduces a subtle spicy undertone.
Regal Empire
- A darker, richer base spirit
- Substitute a high-quality aged rum or a good bourbon for the gin. This will shift the profile to a richer, caramel-noted drink, while still retaining the fruit brandy character.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try peach brandy or a quality apricot liqueur, adjusting for sweetness. Pear brandy can also work in a pinch for a different fruit profile.
Vodka can provide a neutral base, letting the brandies shine more, but you’ll lose the botanical complexity. A light rum could also offer a different, subtle sweetness.
Substitute with another dry fruit eau-de-vie like pear brandy or even a touch more gin for a drier, less fruity finish.
A mason jar with a tight-fitting lid or any two containers that seal well can be used. Just make sure it’s leak-proof for vigorous shaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Empire Cocktail?
An Empire Cocktail contains .75 oz Apricot Brandy, 1.5 oz Gin, and .5 oz Apple Brandy.
Is the Empire Cocktail strong?
Yes, it’s a spirit-forward drink. At around 37% ABV, it’s considerably stronger than a typical beer and more potent than many standard cocktails.
What does the Empire Cocktail taste like?
It tastes complex and balanced, starting with gin botanicals, transitioning to sweet apricot, and finishing with dry apple brandy notes. It’s boozy with a fruity warmth.
What kind of gin should I use?
A classic London Dry gin is recommended. Its juniper-forward profile provides a good backbone without clashing with the fruit brandies.
Can I make an Empire Cocktail ahead of time?
No, it’s best made fresh. Pre-mixing will lead to a diluted, less vibrant drink, as the chill and dilution from shaking are critical.
What glass should I use?
A chilled cocktail glass or coupe is ideal for serving the Empire Cocktail up.
Is this a sweet drink?
The Empire Cocktail is spirit-forward and balanced, not overtly sweet. The sweetness comes primarily from the fruit brandies, which are tempered by the gin’s dry botanicals.
Can I serve it on the rocks?
While traditionally served up, you can serve it on a large, clear ice cube if you prefer a slower dilution and a slightly colder experience. Be aware it will dilute faster.
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