The Distillery
A Look Back on 2023
Let’s recap the best this year had to offer!
It’s almost time for the great countdown! 2023 was incredible for Empress 1908 and we wanted to take a moment to review some of our favourite highlights. From a new addition to our gin family to seeing so many delicious creations, there’s a lot to reminisce!
Jump to the category ahead!
- Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- Wedding Celebrations
- Favourite Gin Holidays!
- Events with Empress
- Lavender Haze
- Elevating Our Cocktails at Home Together
1. Launching Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
Of course we needed to start here! We set out to capture the essence of the gardens of our hometown in Victoria, British Columbia where the flowers bloom nearly year-round. The result: a spirit with delicate notes of florals, citrus, and spice for a sip that’s just as elegant and tasty as our Empress Indigo expression. Click here to find availability near you!
2. Wedding Celebrations
What better way to make such an important moment even more special than by sharing a beautiful cocktail with your spouse-to-be? We teamed up with a few of our creator friends this year who made their own romantic signature sips in anticipation of their big day!
If you’re planning your own wedding, read our tips on creating your matrimonial cocktails in the articles below:
3. We Celebrated Our Favourite Holidays Together!
It should come as no surprise that our favourite days of the year are National Gin & Tonic Day and World Gin Day. They’re the perfect times to celebrate Empress 1908 and enjoy some delicious cocktail creations! We saw so many amazing delights on Instagram, which is always such a joy. Check out what our mixologist friends created this year:
4. Events with Empress
Many of you saw us out in the wild! We were ecstatic to be sponsors at the most wonderful events like New York Fashion Week, Art Basel, and the Rare Beauty Gala. With so many featured booths, cocktails were definitely enjoyed by many.
Be sure to keep an eye out for us in the coming year and share with us on Instagram at @empress1908gin – we always love seeing our fans out there!
5. Lavender Haze
You definitely didn’t miss this if you’re a Swiftie! We were so thrilled to be featured in Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour as part of the signature cocktail, the Lavender Haze, that was served before select shows. Check out Empress 1908’s version of the recipe below:
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Lavender Honey Syrup*
- 2 oz Homemade Lemonade
- Lavender Sprig, for garnish
Method
Fill a stemless wine glass with crushed ice. Shake lemonade and syrup on ice and strain into the glass. Layer Empress 1908 Indigo Gin on top and add more crushed ice. Garnish with a lavender sprig.
*To make lavender honey syrup, simply combine ¾ cup honey with 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once combined, add 2 tbsp dried culinary-grade lavender buds. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. Cool, strain and keep sealed in a container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Khadija Horton/Christopher Polk/Getty Images
6. Learning How to Elevate Our Homemade Cocktails Together
This has always been what Empress 1908 is about. To us, crafting cocktails is a beautiful artistic medium to spread our creative wings. Whether you learned from us how to level up the presentation of your serves or how to get even more experimental with mixing flavours, we saw you all making lots of delightful sippable experiences!
Looking for some techniques to add to your mixology belt? Take a look at our blog articles below!
Before you go, we’d like to raise a toast to welcome 2024 with open arms and to thank you for all the support throughout 2023. We always appreciate seeing you enjoy and mix with our spirits on Instagram, which we certainly hope you keep sharing with us. Cheers and we can’t wait to continue spreading the Empress 1908 love with you all in the new year!
For more cocktail inspiration, you know where to look: check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
