Picnic-Perfect Cocktails

Join us for an Empress 1908 Gin Picnic!

There’s nothing better than getting outside with your favourite lunchtime snacks— except perhaps adding a cocktail! To pair with a selection of delicious local fare and the ultimate al fresco set up, we asked eight friends to create the perfect picnic drink, featuring Empress 1908 Gin! 

From the refreshing & bubbly to the classic & fruity, the following recipes are sure to highlight whatever you’re serving. Prepare your next outdoor feast and bring along one of the delicious drinks below! 

1. SUMMER BLOSSOM GIMLET: 

@emilylaurae’s stunning Summer Blossom Gimlet is the perfect floral twist on a beloved summer classic. The touch of orange blossom water can be swapped for rose water if that’s your flowery fancy! Multiply this recipe by your number of guests, and batch it in a bottle for your next backyard picnic. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin 
• 1 oz Honey Syrup* 
• 1 oz Lime Juice 
• ½ tsp Orange Blossom Water 
• Lime Twist 

METHOD:

Shake ingredients on ice until well chilled. Fine strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime twist. Enjoy!

*To make the honey syrup: Simmer equal parts honey and water in a small saucepan on medium heat until combined. Cool, and keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. 

2. EMPRESS SUMMER BOOTLEG: 

@schmidthappensmn brings us a Minneapolis classic with the Empress Summer Bootleg! Try your hand at making a batch of the bootleg mix at home— it’s a fresh, delicious and versatile ingredient to keep behind your home bar! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
• 1 oz Bootleg Mix* 
• 2 oz Club Soda 
• Blackberries & Fresh Lime Leaves 

*BOOTLEG MIX INGREDIENTS:

• ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice 
• 2 tbsp Agave Nectar 
• 2 tbsp Fresh Mint Leaves 
• 1 tbsp Fresh Thyme Leaves 

METHOD:

To make the bootleg mix, combine ingredients in a blender and blend until herbs are broken into small pieces. When you’re ready to make a cocktail, add 1 oz bootleg mix to the bottom of a shaker and muddle with fresh blackberries. Add gin, ice, and shake to combine. Strain into a cocktail glass with fresh ice and top with club soda. Garnish with blackberries and fresh mint!

3. GRAPEFRUIT EASTSIDE:

This perfectly pink picnic sip by @thesocialsipper is one of our new favourites! Fresh flavours of cucumber, lime, grapefruit and mint make the Grapefruit Eastside a summer staple. Bring it along to your next outdoor happy hour with the recipe below! (Serves 2) 

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 oz Empress 1908 Gin 
• ½ cup Cubed Cucumber 
• 8-10 Mint Leaves 
• 1½ oz Simple Syrup 
• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice 
• 1 oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice 
• Cucumber Slices, Grapefruit, Mint 

METHOD:

Add cucumber, mint leaves and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice and muddle. Add lime juice, grapefruit juice, gin and ice and shake until chilled. Strain into 2 glasses over ice. If desired, garnish with cucumber slices, grapefruit and mint.

4. PURPLE SUNSHINE:

Finally, serves up some summer sun with @queenbeemixology’s ‘Purple Sunshine’ cocktail. Layered, lovely and packed full of tropical flavour, this showstopping sip will be the life of any picnic! 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ oz Empress 1908 Gin 
• ½ oz Pineapple Liqueur 
• ½ oz Coconut Liqueur 
• ½ oz Triple Sec
• ½ oz Lemon Juice 
• Pineapple 

METHOD:

Add all ingredient to a mixing glass and swirl to mix. ⁠⁠Fill highball glass with crushed or pebbled ice and pour contents over top.⁠⁠ Top with more ice and use a bar spoon to float gin. ⁠⁠Garnish with a pineapple.⁠⁠ 

Find more picnic-perfect cocktails by @join_jules, @bee.the.love, @mrs.barnes and @mustloveherbs in our latest Instagram Guide, or by visiting the hashtag #EmpressGinPicnic! 

Sip responsibly!