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Empress Gin Cocktail
With a beautiful signature color, this Empress gin cocktail has all the makings of a stunning and refreshing summer cocktail.
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Table of Contents
- Let’s Dish: About This Recipe
- Empress Gin Cocktail Ingredients
- Purple Gin Cocktail Substitutions And Additions
- How To Make This Empress Gin Cocktail Recipe
- How To Serve an Empress Gin Drink
- Empress Cocktail Storage Tips
- Why Empress Gin Cocktail is the Best
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Recipes You’ll Love
- JUMP TO RECIPE
This stunning Empress gin cocktail is a sweet and tart blend of Empress gin, citrus, tonic water, and simple syrup. Perfect for casual gatherings or special events, this beautiful cocktail will wow your guests with its vibrant rose and indigo color and flavorful combination of ingredients.
Let’s Dish: About This Recipe
Main Ingredients: Empress gin, ruby red grapefruit juice, simple syrup, tonic water, ice, grapefruit slice, mint.
Quick Steps: Add ice to a highball glass, pour grapefruit juice, syrup, tonic water, add gin. Garnish.
Total Time & Yield: 2 minutes, yields 1 serving.
Why This Recipe
- This Empress gin cocktail recipe stands out from others by focusing on fresh flavors and a beautiful color transformation.
- While other recipes often rely on additional ingredients like lavender syrup or Aperol, this version focuses on fresh ruby red grapefruit juice and tonic water, allowing the Empress gin’s natural botanicals to shine.
- The transformation of the gin’s color as it mixes with tonic adds a beautiful touch without needing complicated steps — making this recipe stand out for its balance of ease and elegance.
- It’s. a refreshing, clean drink that avoids the overly sweet profiles found in some other gin-based cocktails.
Empress Gin Cocktail Ingredients
Pure artistry in a glass, this Empress Gin Cocktail has a subtle beauty from the layers of flavors. It might look advanced but it’s incredibly easy to make.
The gin, citrus, tonic water, and simple syrup blend together perfectly to create an invigorating flavor experience.
It’s a crisp mixture that starts off with a light tangy sweetness from the gin and grapefruit juice, then moves into the bubbly fizz of the tonic water.
You’ll need:
- Ice
- ¼ cup of ruby red grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce of simple syrup
- ⅓ cup of tonic water
- 1½ ounces of Empress gin
- Small slice of ruby red grapefruit, garnish
- Sprig of fresh mint, garnish
What’s so special about Empress gin?
Distilled in special copper-pot stills in small batches, Empress 1908 Gin contains eight seasonal botanicals, including exotic butterfly pea flowers.
Discovered in a tea blend served at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. These unique blossoms impart a warm herbal earthiness, soft texture, and deep indigo signature color that is simply beautiful.
Purple Gin Cocktail Substitutions And Additions
If you’re a gin lover, the bright lavender hue and amazing taste is a must-try. Along with pink grapefruit juice, just a few simple ingredients create beautiful drinks. You’re sure to earn a five star rating from anyone who takes a sip.
Here are some suggestions for customizations you make as well:
GIN: Empress gin is slightly different from standard clear gins as it is unique in its beautiful blueish-purple color. It gets its color from the butterfly pea blossom.
This unique gin will change its color to various shades of light purple and pink depending on the mixer that is added. The acid from the tonic water and the citrus you use will affect the color change.
SPARKLING WATER: You could use seltzer water, soda water, or sparkling water instead of tonic water if you prefer. This will slightly alter the taste profile of the drink, however.
EDIBLE FLOWERS: These make a stunning garnish! Here are some suggestions:
- Violas: These small and colorful flowers have a slightly sweet taste and come in a variety of colors, making them a visually appealing garnish.
- Lavender: Lavender adds a fragrant, slightly sweet and floral note. It’s particularly good in cocktails with herbal or floral ingredients like those in Empress Gin.
- Pansies: Pansies come in a variety of colors and have a mild, grassy flavor. They’re perfect for adding a splash of color to your cocktail.
- Calendula: Also known as marigolds, calendula flowers have a slightly spicy, peppery taste and vibrant yellow and orange petals.
- Cornflowers: With their bright blue petals, cornflowers are visually striking and have a slightly sweet-to-spicy flavor.
HERBS: If edible flowers are not available or not to your liking, try a sprig of fresh herbs like mint leaves or basil. These not only add a lovely aroma but also introduce a fresh, herbal note to the cocktail.
How To Make This Empress Gin Cocktail Recipe
You’ll want to skip the cocktail shaker for this signature cocktail so that the gorgeous layers stay defined until you’re ready to drink. Just follow the easy instructions below and you’ll be sipping tasty cocktails in no time.
STEP ONE: Fill a 10-ounce highball glass with ice.
STEP TWO: Add ruby red grapefruit juice, simple syrup, tonic water, and Empress gin to the glass.
Be sure to pour the Empress gin slowly to keep it from mixing with the other layers too much.
PRO TIP: To slow down the addition of the Empress gin, pour it over the back of a spoon. This will help ensure it doesn’t disturb the other layers of the drink.
STEP THREE: Garnish the rim of the glass with a small slice of ruby red grapefruit and a fresh mint sprig.
How To Serve an Empress Gin Drink
You will want to serve this beautiful Empress gin cocktail while the drink’s layers are still separated. However, you will want to stir gently with a cocktail stirrer or straw before drinking for the best flavor.
These cocktails are a great way to keep you refreshed on a summer day. They’re ideal for a girl’s night in or afternoon tea as well.
These gorgeous cocktails can be served with light appetizers such as hummus, chips and salsa, olives, roasted artichokes, or a cheese plate.
Light salads like a tomato cucumber salad or a Caprese salad are also great accompaniments to this refreshing cocktail.
To add a little bit of sweetness and crunch to your meal, serve it with some fresh berries like strawberries or blueberries!
MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES
Our gummy bear drink and our rainbow cocktail are two more drink recipes that are sure to delight with their beautiful colors.
Empress Cocktail Storage Tips
IN THE FRIDGE: We don’t recommend trying to keep leftovers of this colorful drink as the ice will melt and water down your drink. Serve your gin cocktail immediately.
IN THE FREEZER: This drink must be served fresh.
Why Empress Gin Cocktail is the Best
STUNNING VISUAL APPEAL: The vibrant, natural indigo hue of Empress 1908 Gin creates a visually captivating grown up drink that is as beautiful as it is delicious.
UNIQUE FLAVOR PROFILE: The combination of gin and juice results in a well-balanced and refreshing cocktail with a distinct flavor profile.
EASE OF PREPARATION: This cocktail is incredibly easy to make, making it accessible to both novice and experienced mixologists alike.
When it comes to cocktails, our Empress gin cocktail with its natural indigo hue will be a winner. Not only does it taste delicious with the flavors of citrus and exquisite gin, but it’s also refreshing and perfect for any summer day or evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best glass to use for this simple cocktail?
We used a 10-ounce highball glass for this drink, but any fun 10-ounce cocktail glass would also work fine.
Can I make this drink ahead of time?
This drink is best made when you are ready to enjoy it, as the ice will melt if it sits too long and will dilute and alter the lovely layered effect.
Does it matter what brand of Empress gin I use?
Any brand of this indigo gin you can find will be perfect for this recipe.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Empress Gin Cocktail
With a beautiful signature color, this Empress gin cocktail has all the makings of a stunning and refreshing summer cocktail.
Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings 1
Ingredients
- Ice
- ¼ cup ruby red grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- ⅓ cup tonic water
- 1½ ounces Empress gin
- 1 small slice ruby red grapefruit, garnish
- 1 sprig fresh mint, garnish
Instructions
- Fill a 10-ounce highball glass with ice.
- Add ruby red grapefruit juice, simple syrup, tonic water, and Empress gin to the glass. Be sure to pour the Empress gin slowly to keep it from mixing with the other layer too much.
- Garnish the rim of the glass with a small slice of ruby red grapefruit and a fresh mint sprig.
Notes
- Empress gin is slightly different from standard clear gins as it is unique in its beautiful blueish-purple color. It gets its color from the butterfly pea blossom. This unique gin will change its color to various shades of light purple and pink depending on the mixer that is added. The acid from the tonic water and the citrus you use will affect the color change.
- To slow down the addition of the Empress gin, pour it over the back of a spoon. This will help ensure it doesn’t disturb the other layers of the drink.
- You will want to serve this beautiful Empress gin cocktail while the drink’s layers are still separated. However, you will want to stir gently with a cocktail stirrer or straw before drinking for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg
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