September 11, 2023
Review RecipeEmpress Gin Cocktail

Table of Contents
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.

Empress Gin Cocktail Ingredients

This Empress gin cocktail has a beautiful balance between sweet and tart flavors, making it a delight to the taste buds.
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
Substitutions and Additions
LIME JUICE: This is a wonderful twist on a traditional gin and tonic cocktail.
You can certainly make this easy cocktail using fresh lime juice, but you will only need one ounce of the fresh lime juice and one ounce of the simple syrup in place of the pink grapefruit juice, as the lime juice is more tart than the grapefruit juice.
You will need to note that the bottom layer of your drink will not have the beautiful light pink color that the ruby red grapefruit adds.
How To Make This Empress Gin Cocktail Recipe
This beautifully layered cocktail will come together in three quick steps following our directions below. The ingredients get added one at a time to create pretty layers before serving the drink to your guests.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
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.
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.
PRO TIP:
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.
How To Serve
Empress gin cocktails are a great way to keep you refreshed on a summer day or evening.
It is best 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!
Our gummy bear drink and our rainbow cocktail are two more drink recipes that are sure to delight with their beautiful colors.
MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES
Storage
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 grown-up drink must be served fresh.

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
We used a 10-ounce highball glass for this drink, but any fun 10-ounce cocktail glass would also work fine.
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.
Any brand of this indigo gin you can find will be perfect for this recipe.
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Empress Gin Cocktail
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.
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