5 Blue-Hued Cocktails to try this Winter

Kick your winter blues with these delicious aqua-coloured cocktails!

From our signature indigo to violet-hued creations like the Empress & Tonic, Empress 1908 Gin is known for its dazzling spectrum of colourful cocktails. But Empress 1908 has another secret to behold… welcome to the blue side!

In the same way acidic ingredients, like citrus juice or tonic water, transform our gin to a soft lavender or pink, alkaline additions create a spectacular turquoise! Read on to explore our favourite blue-hued creations, and discover the ingredients that create this stunning effect.

Let’s get started with a winter escape to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy. Drawing from their memories of stunning blue grottos and turquoise waters, our friends @cooking_with_wine bring us this refreshing & simple sip!

blue grotto

Ingredients:

• ½ Large Cucumber
• 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
• 1½ tsp Simple Syrup
• 1 tbsp Minced Fresh Ginger

METHOD:

Finely grate the cucumber into a bowl. Once grated, strain the pulp and juice through a cheesecloth or a clean tea towel and wring the cucumber juice from the pulp. Add 1½ oz of cucumber juice, Empress 1908 Gin, simple syrup, and minced ginger to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, then pour straight up through a fine mesh cocktail strainer into a Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a cucumber wheel.

Our next blue-hued recipe is traditional, with a twist! @twolovesstudio puts an Empress 1908 spin on the classic ‘Alexander’. With warming flavours perfect for battling the winter chill, it’s a must-try before spring rolls around!

empress alexander

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ oz Empress 1908 Gin⁠
• ½ oz Creme De Cacao White⁠
• 1 oz Half and Half*⁠
• 3 dashes of Chocolate Bitters ⁠
• Freshly Grated Nutmeg

METHOD:

In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the gin, creme de cacao white, half and half and the bitters. Shake for 10 seconds. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Lightly grate fresh nutmeg over the top to serve. Add a seasonal garnish like a star anise if you fancy!⁠

*to make this dairy free, use a nut milk of your choice. My recommendation is hazelnut to play off the nuttiness and enhance the hints of chocolate.⁠

Next up, we bring you perhaps the simplest of all cocktails— our unique take on a seasonal gin & soda!

With muddled berries of your choice, a splash of your favourite soda, and the option for adding citrus, the Winterberry Soda leaves plenty of room for your imagination.

winterberry soda

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
• Soda Water (of your choice)*
• Blackberries, muddled (optional)
• Blackberries, to garnish

METHOD:

First, muddle 2-3 blackberries in the bottom of a copa glass (optional; please note this may affect the colour). Build remaining ingredients in the glass over ice, adding the gin first, followed by the soda water. Garnish with fresh blackberries.

*Note: If the soda water contains citrus of any kind, the recipe may result in a more lavender-hued cocktail.

Simple, light and perfect for sipping no matter the season, the cooling Cucumber Blue features delicious garden herbs, refreshing cucumber and a splash of sparkling water. As you’re planting your cocktail gardens this coming spring, be sure to keep this one in mind!

cucumber blue

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
• 3 oz Soda Water
• Cucumber Slices
• Fresh Basil
• Fresh Mint

Method:

Muddle cucumber, basil, and mint in the bottom of a chilled rocks glass. Add ice and Empress 1908. Top with soda water. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and basil.

Finally— dessert! @cooking_with_wine is back and bringing us another soft blue cocktail creation. This one is best enjoyed by the fire, watching snow fall outside. The Great 1908 Blizzard will get you through even the chilliest cold snap!

the great 1908 blizzard

Ingredients:

• 1½ oz Empress 1908 Gin
• 1½ oz White Chocolate Liqueur
• ¼ oz Luxardo Maraschino
• ⅛ tsp Vanilla Extract
• White Chocolate Shavings (for garnish)
• 1 Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (for garnish)

METHOD:

Shake all ingredients except chocolate shavings in a shaker with ice. Pour into a chilled martini glass (use a strainer if needed to remove ice chunks as you pour). Grate some white chocolate right over the top of the glass, add a Luxardo cherry (optional) and serve!

For more inspiration check out our favourite winter recipes, or visit our signature cocktails page. The countdown to spring is officially on!

Sip responsibly!