Guides
Home Bar Essentials: Must-Have Liqueurs
A gin as delicious as Empress 1908 calls for an equally tasty pairing!
Stocking your home bar with bottles you love takes takes time— and a lot of tasting. If you’re looking for a place to start, read on! We’re sharing four of our favourite liqueurs to pair with Empress 1908 Gin.
Is your preference for a decadent berry? Or for subtle floral flavours? Perhaps you enjoy something bittersweet, instead? No matter your go-to flavour palate, these four bottles are a must-try in your next homemade cocktail!
1. elderflower liqueur
With a subtle floral sweetness signature of elderflower, this liqueur is perhaps our favourite pairing for Empress 1908 Gin. St. Germain is the most well-known elderflower liqueur, with flavour described as ‘as subtle and delicate as it is captivating, evidenced in its sublime notes of peach, pear, and grapefruit, yet none of them exactly‘.
Try it out with delicious recipes like the Garden Gin Sour, Sparkling Elderflower, or Mint To Be.
Find the full Garden Gin Sour recipe here.
2. Luxardo Bitter bianco
A complex, bittersweet liqueur, Luxardo Bitter Bianco is our go-to Campari substitute in the Empress Negroni. With a nearly-clear hue perfect for showcasing our indigo colour, it’s versatility can be showcased in many other recipes, with a palate featuring ‘herbal and citrusy aromas…distinctive gentian and wormwood flavors‘.
Try it out with tasty creations like the Empress Negroni or Gin-ger Drop!
Find the full Ginger Drop recipe here.
3. Luxardo Maraschino
A true classic in the cocktailing world, Luxardo Maraschino is known most famously for its place in the Aviation cocktail. Described by Luxardo, ‘the aroma is typical of marasca cherry distillate with strong alcohol spirit and roasted nuttiness, while the taste results smooth but sharp at the same time with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla and orange marmalade‘. For an extra punch of this delicious flavour, pair it with a Maraschino cherry!
Try this liqueur in recipes like the Empress Aviation or Great 1908 Blizzard!
Find the full Great 1908 Blizzard recipe here.
4. berry liqueur
Often found locally, berry liqueurs boast vibrant, rich palates and often vivid hues to match. Chambord, a French liqueur, combines blackberries, raspberries and blackcurrant in a blend of fruity flavour. ‘Then come the flavors of Madagascan vanilla, honey and Moroccan citrus peel, all coming together to create the velvety smooth liqueur‘.
Try this liqueur in recipes like the Empress Royale or Berry Empress Elixir!
Find the full Berry Empress Elixir recipe here.
For more essential home-bartending tips, be sure to check out our Glassware Guide and Must-Have Bar Tools! And as always, visit our Instagram Page or Cocktail Deck for all the delicious drinkspiration you need.
Sip responsibly!
