If you’re looking for a classy cocktail that will catch your eye as well as make your taste buds dance, an Empress Gin cocktail is just what you need!
Handcrafted by Victoria Distillers in British Columbia, Canada, Empress Gin is a beautiful, indigo-colored gin that is sure to catch your eye and tingle your senses.
Empress Gin has a striking color and a delicious, all-natural flavor that makes it great whether served straight or in a cocktail.
Marked by its bold juniper and citrusy aroma, it gets its taste from a blend of butterfly pea blossom, Fairmont Empress tea, juniper, grapefruit peel, coriander seed, cinnamon bark, rose petal, and ginger root.
The butterfly pea blossoms not only give it its signature color, but also cause it to transform into other colors. Depending on what it is mixed with, you may end up with a drink that is blue, purple, or even pink!
If you love purple cocktails, check out these 12 Crème De Violette Cocktails.
From gin classics to the unique and fun, here are 13 Empress Gin cocktails to serve up at your next dinner or cocktail party:
- Empress Gin and Tonic
- Empress Gin Sidecar
- Empress Gin Mule
- Lavender Martini
- Amethyst Negroni
- Empress Gin Sour
- Bees Knees
- Lavender Lemonade
- Empress Fizz
- Chamomile Collins
- Empress Berry Smash
- Empress Sunset
- Empress Mai Tai
- Empress French 75
1. Empress Gin and Tonic
Empress Gin is excellent when used in gin and tonics, giving it a fun, bright and fruity twist. This simple cocktail takes less than three minutes to whip up and serve.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- 1 oz lime juice
- 4 oz tonic water
Instructions:
- Fill a short glass with ice.
- Pour in Empress Gin.
- Add in the lime juice.
- Top with tonic water.
2. Summertime Gin Punch
This summer punch is an easy cocktail to serve guests since no shaking or mixing is necessary! Just add all ingredients to a large pitcher with lots of ice and you're ready to entertain!
Ingredients:
- 1 Bottle of Empress Gin
- 12 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 8 oz. honey or simle syrup
- Sparking soda
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a large pitcher with lots of ice and mix.
- Serve with ice and lemon or mint garnish.
3. Empress Gin Sidecar
This delicious twist on the classic sidecar cocktail recipe features Empress Gin instead of cognac. Not only is it delicious, but it is also super easy to make!
Ingredients:
For cocktail:
- 1 ½ oz Empress Gin
- ¾ oz Cointreau or any substitute
- ¾ oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon simple syrup (recipe below)
- Lemon twist garnish
- Sugar for rim (optional)
For simple syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions:
For cocktail:
- Add the gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake until well chilled.
- Strain into the sugar-rimmed glass.
- Garnish with lemon twist and enjoy!
For simple syrup:
- Add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until the sugar has dissolved (just enough until sugar has melted)
- Let cool to room temperature before using.
- Store extra syrup in an airtight container for up to a month in the refrigerator.
4. Empress Gin Mule
This purple Empress Gin cocktail is just as delicious as the classic Moscow mule and a perfect sipping drink for summer.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- ¾ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Ginger beer to top off
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- In a highball glass, add ice, gin, and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Stir to mix.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig (optional).
5. Lavender Martini
This floral Empress Gin cocktail is easy to make and perfect for spring or summer. This one is sure to be a hit among your friends!
Ingredients:
For the cocktail:
- 8 oz Empress Gin
- 8 oz champagne or Prosecco
- 4 oz lemon juice
- 4 drops purple food coloring (optional, to make even more eyecatching!)
For the simple syrup:
- 3 teaspoon dried lavender
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
Instructions:
For the cocktail:
- Add all ingredients EXCEPT for the champagne or Prosecco in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for 10-20 seconds and strain ¾ of the way high. Top with 2 oz of champagne.
- Garnish with lavender sprig and lemon peel and serve chilled!
For the simple syrup:
- Add the water and sugar to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Stir to dissolve the sugar. Turn heat down to low.
- Add dried lavender flowers and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Strain lavender into a heatproof container and let cool.
- Store in the fridge in a sealed container for 7-10 days.
6. Amethyst Negroni
Take this old-fashioned, all-time favorite cocktail to the next level with a splash of Empress Gin!
Ingredients:
- 1 oz Empress Gin
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 1 oz Campari
- Ice
- Lemon or lemon ribbon for garnish
Instructions:
- In a mixing glass, add ice, Empress gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with lemon ribbon, if desired.
7. Empress Gin Sour
With a sweet blueberry flavor and a breathtaking color, an Empress Gin Sour is sure to be the rave of your next cocktail party.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- ¾ oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ½ oz blueberry liqueur
- 1 egg white
- Ice
- Edible flower petals for garnish
Instructions:
- First, chill a martini glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, add Empress gin, lemon juice, blueberry liqueur, and egg white.
- Shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with edible flower petals.
8. Bees Knees
Put a twist on the classic Bees Knees with some Empress Gin in place of the standard gin. The result is a beautiful bright purple cocktail! It is super easy to make with ingredients you probably already have in your home!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. Empress Gin
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ cup frozen berries (optional)
Instructions:
- In a mixer filled with ice, combine gin, lemon and honey.
- If adding frozen berries, microwave them for 15 seconds, then add half to the mixer.
- In a separate glass, fill with the rest of the frozen berries.
- Strain into a martini or coupe glass, garnish with lemon and enjoy!
9. Lavender Lemonade
If there’s one “spiked” lemonade you want on the menu for your next picnic or cocktail party, it’s this one! This Empress Gin cocktail recipe makes enough to serve a group of four.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz Empress Gin
- 4 oz lavender liqueur
- Ice
- Lemonade (to top off)
- Edible lavender sprig for garnish
Instructions:
- In a rocks or Collins glass, add ice, Empress gin, and lavender liqueur.
- Stir to mix.
- Top off with lemonade.
- Garnish with lavender sprig.
Not drinking? Try this delicious non-alcoholic version.
10. Festive Empress Fizz
This delicious mix of cranberry, ginger beer and Empress Gin is a festive addition to the holiday cocktail menu.
Ingredients:
- 6oz Empress Gin
- 16oz Ginger Beer
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup sugar
- 6-8 thyme springs
- 1 orange
Instructions:
- One hour prior to making the cocktail, start making the Cranberry Orange Syrup.
- Add cranberries, sugar and ¾ cup of water to a medium saucepan.
- Quarter the orange, and add 2 slices to the pan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring often until berries break down and syrup thickens.
- Remove oranges and refrigerate until cool.
- When ready, fill a 32 oz pitcher with ice, gin, ginger beer and prepared cranberry orange syrup.
- Serve in cocktail glasses.
- Garnish with thyme and fresh cranberries if desired.
12. Empress 75
This gorgeous, purple-pink cocktail is an excellent way to wind down after a long week. It’s also a great cocktail to serve alongside your mimosas at brunch!
Ingredients:
- 4 oz champagne
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- 1 ½ oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
Instructions:
13. Empress Blackberry Smash
Made with muddled blackberries, lime juice and simple syrup, this fruity concoction is a delicious and refreshing way to cool off on a hot day.
Ingredients:
For cocktail:
- ¼ cup blackberries
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda to top off
- Mint sprig for garnish
For simple syrup:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions:
For cocktail:
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle blackberries with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, Empress Gin, lime juice, and remaining simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with club soda.
- Garnish with mint sprig.
For simple syrup:
- Add equal parts sugar and water to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until the sugar has dissolved (just enough until sugar has melted)
- Let cool to room temperature before using.
- Store extra syrup in an airtight container for up to a month in the refrigerator.
14. Empress Sunset
This irresistible tropical pink drink is bursting with flavors of lavender and fresh peach. Another great addition to the summer cocktail menu!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- 1 oz Peach Lavender Syrup
- Tonic Water
- Peach Slices (optional)
- Lavender Sprig for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Pour the lavender syrup and Empress Gin into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Fill the glass the rest of the way with tonic water.
- Garnish with lavender and peach slices if desired.
15. Empress Mai Tai
This tropical beachy classic is already a hit as-is, but add Empress Gin to the mix for a head-turning cocktail that will kick your taste buds into overdrive!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Empress Gin
- ½ oz dark rum
- ½ oz orgeat
- Lime juice
- Lime wheel (for garnish)
- Edible flowers (for garnish)
- Shake ingredients on ice.
- Strain into a chilled rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel and edible flowers, if desired.
- 1 oz. Empress Gin
- ½ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Champagne
Instructions:
16. Empress French 75
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Add to a champagne glass with ice and top with chamagne. Serve cold!
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📖 Recipe
14 Empress Gin Cocktails
Equipment
- 1 lowball glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces empress gin
- 2 ounces white grapefruit juice (*see notes)
- 3-4 ounces club soda
- 1 rosemary sprig
- grapefruit slices for garnish
- ice cubes
Instructions
- Add ice to a low ball glass along with the club soda, white grapefruit juice, rosemary and club soda. Mix well. *When pouring the club soda, make sure to leave room for the gin.
- Top with empress gin last pouring slowly so it stays on top.
- Garnish with grapefruit slice and serve cold!
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