Ordering at the bar can be intimidating, especially when you don’t have a go-to cocktail. And you might wonder what would be the preferred libation for your favorite female power player and trailblazer.

Well, EBONY set out to channel three leading ladies, Eartha Kitt,  Ella Fitzgerald and Ruby Dee, by crafting original cocktails inspired by their all-around awesomeness. For assistance, we turned to two fab women mixologists: Kashima Peters, owner of Atlanta’s The Social Hostess, and Ariel Neal, owner of the Chicago-based Leira Knows Cocktails & Events.

“As women, people sometimes think, Just put a cherry in it and some simple syrup,’ but we are so much more than that,” Peters says. Neal agrees: “Why go get something ordinary or average?”

These cocktails are chock-full of cool, character and greatness.

DISTINCTIVELY PURR-FECT
inspired by EARTHA KITT
INGREDIENTS

¾ ounce lime juice

½ ounce sage syrup*

1 ounce fresh apple cider

2 ounces High West Silver Whiskey Western Oat

1 ounce egg whites (for cold preparation only)

Whipped cream for garnish (for hot preparation only)

Pumpkin pie spice for garnish

Sage leaf for garnish

Apple slice for garnish

This cocktail can be served hot or cold. For cold preparation, shake first four ingredients with egg whites in shaker without ice until mixture becomes frothy, about 30 seconds. Add ice; continue shaking for another 30 seconds or until chilled. Strain into a stemless martini glass. Garnish with pumpkin pie spice, sage leaf and apple slice. For warm preparation, add first four ingredients; warm in saucepan or microwave. Pour into a mug; top with whipped cream; garnish with pumpkin pie spice, sage leaf and apple slice.

*For sage syrup, mix together 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water and 5 sage leaves in saucepan; heat to a boil until sugar dissolves. Chill syrup until ready to use.

UNAPOLOGETICALLY SAGED
inspired by ELLA FITZGERALD
INGREDIENTS

6 rosemary sprigs

2 ounces whisky

1 ounce brewed black tea, chilled

¼ ounce  fresh lemon juice

1 ounce honey syrup*

Lemon twist for garnish

Muddle rosemary in shaker. Pour in whisky, tea, juice and syrup. Fill shaker with ice, cover and shake about 6 times until ingredients are well combined.  Strain into pilsner glass over fresh ice. Garnish with lemon twist.

*For honey syrup, mix together equal parts honey and hot water until honey is well dissolved. Chill syrup until ready to use.

THE UNCUT RUBY
inspired by RUBY DEE
INGREDIENTS

¾ ounce lime juice

¾ ounce agave basil syrup*

1 ounce roasted red pepper purée

½ ounce St-Germain elderflower liqueur

2 ounce Bacardi dark rum

Raw sugar, Tajin and Old Bay seasoning for rimming

Rosemary for garnish

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a glass, rimmed with equal parts sugar, Tajin and Old Bay. Garnish with rosemary.

*For agave basil syrup, mix together 1 cup agave, ½ cup water and 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves in saucepan; heat to a boil. Chill syrup until ready to use.