Friends of Empress 1908
Give the Perfect Gift with Empress 1908 and Papyrus!
Share the holiday magic with these holiday card and cocktail pairings!
There’s nothing quite as special as the act of thoughtful gift-giving to your loved ones. From handwriting a carefully-selected greeting card to shaking cocktails that tell a memorable story, it’s the perfect time to show them that they’re on your mind.
This season, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Papyrus to create a series of stunning pairings featuring their latest designs and our favourite festive sips! From sparkly and elegant to fun and quirky, you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for that special someone.
Jump to the perfect gift pairing below!
- Joyful Christmas Wishes
- Christmas Tree with Holiday Ornaments
- Ring in the New Year
- Joy and Peace
- Vintage Floral
- You Spice Up My Holiday Season
- Joyful Wishes
Joyful Christmas Wishes
Paired with ‘Mister Snowman’
Let’s start off with a white Christmas! Iridescent and evocative of the gentle fall of snowflakes on a crisp winter day, Joyful Christmas Wishes is the perfect match for those who dream of their own winter wonderland. Pair this with Mister Snowman that captures the same snowy magic in a glass with rich coconut and warming spices.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Coconut Milk
- ¾ oz Clove Syrup
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Coconut Shavings
- Whole Cloves, for garnish
METHOD
Add ingredients to a shaker with ice, and shake vigorously to combine. Strain into a chilled rocks glass with ice. Garnish with coconut shavings and whole cloves.
Christmas Tree with Holiday Ornaments
Paired with ‘Roses and Poinsettias’
For the shimmering and glimmering yuletide vibes, gift this elaborately ornamented Christmas tree card for those who celebrate with elegance. To complement this bejeweled delight, serve up the Roses and Poinsettias, a holiday bouquet of a cocktail that tastes as vibrant as the glow of the tree.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1½ oz Cranberry Juice
- ¾ oz Orange Liqueur
- Top with Sparkling Wine
- Rosemary Sprig
- Cranberries (optional)
METHOD
Add all ingredients except wine to a mixing glass over ice and stir briefly. Strain into a champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with rosemary sprig.
Ring in the New Year
Paired with ‘Empress Alexander’ by @twolovesstudio
Meet your loved ones as the clock strikes midnight with this dazzling card and cocktail combination. The ‘Ring in the New Year’ greeting card is the perfect gift to toast to the turning season, while raising a glass to the year past with the decadent Empress Alexander.
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ½ oz White Crème de Cacao
- 1 oz Half-and-Half
- 3 dashes Chocolate Bitters
- Freshly Grated Nutmeg
- Star Anise (optional)
METHOD
Add the Empress Indigo Gin, crème de cacao, half and half, and bitters to a cocktail shaker, with ice. Shake until cold. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Lightly grate fresh nutmeg over the top to serve. Garnish with whole star anise, if desired.
Joy and Peace
Paired with ‘Pear Rosemary Spritz’ by @bitesizedstudio
Impress at your next holiday bash with the ornate ‘Joy and Peace’ card and delicious Pear Rosemary Spritz! This multi-coloured Christmas tree design adorned with quilling for extra dimension is a must— especially for those hosts with the most or guests of honour who appreciate an extra special touch.
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ¾ oz Elderflower Liqueur
- 1½ oz Pear Juice
- 2 sprigs Rosemary
- Prosecco, to top
- Pear Slices
METHOD
Muddle one rosemary sprig in a cocktail shaker. Add Empress Indigo Gin, elderflower liqueur, and pear juice to the shaker with ice. Shake, and strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice. Top with prosecco and garnish with rosemary and pear slices.
Vintage Floral
Paired with ‘Pomegranate Spritz’ by @marissamakes__
Glamour knows no bounds with this elegant duo. From the deep ruby hue and effervescent bubbles of the Pomegranate Spritz, to the gold detailing and vintage florals of this dazzling boxed card set, this pairing is ideal for the glitziest of celebrations.
*To make the syrup, combine equal parts sugar and water (1 cup of each should do) to a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and add the juice of one satsuma orange. Stir, cool, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
You Spice Up My Holiday Season
Paired with ‘Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy’ by @emilylaurae
Is there anything cozier than sharing a hot drink by the fire, or building gingerbread houses with your special someone? Capture that holiday nostalgia by gifting this whimsical card, complete with felt detailing of this adorable gingerbread couple! Add some extra warmth with the Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy and you’ll have yourselves a very toasty holiday season.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 2 tsp Honey
- 1½ cup Hot Water
- 1 oz Cranberry Juice
- ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 oz Spiced Tea
- Cinnamon Stick and/or Star Anise
- Spritz of Orange Juice
- Fresh Cranberries and Orange
- Aromatic Herbs
METHOD
Add honey, hot water, spiced tea bag, cinnamon stick and star anise in a mug and allow the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes. Remove the tea bag and stir to combine. Next, add the cranberry juice, vermouth, Empress 1908 Indigo Gin and orange juice to your mug, stirring to combine. Garnish with your choice of holiday aromatics, from warm spices to vibrant fruits and herbs!
Joyful Wishes
For those who want to sip them all!
It’s never easy to pick just one. Embrace the diversity of all the cocktails with this card to spread joyful wishes! Featuring a thoughtful inscribed message and a plethora of ornaments to go with each of our sippable delights, this one reminds us of why we carry on the tradition of gift-giving this time of year.
We pick beautiful cards and write our season’s greetings to let our loved ones know know we’re thinking about them and their valued presence. We mix delicious and stunning cocktails to create that hospitality for them to relax and enjoy the moment. So think about the people on your mind who you’d like to share the merriment with and gift the featured pairing that would suit them best! Wish them the happiest of holidays on behalf of Empress 1908 and Papyrus.
For more cocktail inspiration, check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
