Guides
Our Favourite Festive Flavours for Winter Cocktails
Add a touch of holiday magic to your Empress 1908 sips this season!
The holiday cocktail creations continue in full swing! Let’s not waste any more time — light up some inspo for your own yuletide festivities with our favourite seasonal flavours. Trust us when we say that all of these pair perfectly with both our Empress Indigo and Elderflower Rose expressions!
Ready to get mixing? Jump to the category!
Cranberries! ❤️
Is there a fruit that screams “Christmas” more than cranberries? We love how their tart, yet rich burst of flavour exudes the wintery spirit! It also plays incredibly with the botanicals in both Empress Indigo and Elderflower Rose Gin. By accenting the spiced and herbal notes while contrasting the sharpness from juniper, this flavour pairing is a classic for good reason!
Berry & Bright
Add this to your celebratory sip with this sparkling delight by @rosemaryfairy!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, chilled
- 2 oz Sweetened Cranberry Juice
- Prosecco or Tonic Water, to top
- Edible Cocktail Glitter
- Cranberries & Fresh Rosemary, to garnish
METHOD
To a champagne flute, add a small scoop of edible glitter, cranberry juice, and chilled Empress 1908 Indigo Gin. Top with Prosecco (or tonic water). Garnish with cranberries and a sprig of fresh rosemary. Enjoy!
Spices! 🍂
There’s nothing as cozy as warm baking spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, and clove. Their soothing, yet robust aromatics add a toasty quality that’s simply irresistible— especially when you need to beat the chill in the air. The best part, they’re incredibly versatile; excelling as the star of the show or a subtle flavour undertone!
Spiced Chai Sour
Enjoy the spice medley from Chai in this sour by @foodie_renee!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 2 oz Chai Concentrate (or cooled strong Chai)
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 Egg White
- ½ oz Grenadine Syrup
METHOD
Add the chai, gin, lemon juice, syrup and egg white to a cocktail shaker and dry shake (without ice). Add ice and shake again until well-chilled. Double strain into your glass & enjoy!
Hearty Herbs! 🌿
Think of options like rosemary, thyme, and sage. They’re fresh, yet wholesome and add complexity that perfectly complements gin. We’re big fans of how fresh herbs add a slightly savoury edge to cocktails for a dynamic tasting experience!
Holly Jolly Gin Punch
This recipe by @join_jules uses rosemary to add a wonderful herbal accent to this fruity sip! Serves 8-10.
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ cups Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1 cup Cranberry Juice
- ¾ cup Pomegranate Juice
- ½ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ cup Rosemary Syrup
- ¾ cup Orange Liqueur
- Bottle of Prosecco (optional)
- Tonic Water, to top
METHOD
In a large punch bowl with ice, mix together all the ingredients. Serve into individual glasses, and top with tonic water or sparkling water! Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary & enjoy!
Oranges! 🍊
It is peak citrus season after all! We adore oranges for their balance of bright juiciness and zesty sweetness. This beloved winter fruit is comforting in itself, but also lifts other traditional holiday notes, resulting in a cocktail bursting with festive taste!
Christmas Orange Soda
Let’s take it easy here with this spiced and citrusy highball!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ½ oz Cinnamon Syrup
- 3½ oz Premium Orange Soda
- Orange Slice & Star Anise, for garnish
METHOD
Add all ingredients to a Collins glass filled with ice and top with orange soda. Garnish with orange slice and star anise.
Chocolate! 🍫
Who doesn’t like waking up on Christmas morning to a stocking full of chocolate? The holidays are a time to treat yourself and it’s hard to think of anything more fun and indulging than a touch of chocolate in your cocktails. Whether you go opt for something sweet and creamy for decadence or dry and cacao-forward with earthier notes, you can’t go wrong with this seasonal treat!
Ruby Alexander
Looking for an after-dinner sip? Try our twist on the classic Alexander!
INGREDIENTS
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1 oz White Créme de Cacao
- ½ oz Ruby Port
- 1 oz Half-and-Half
- Grated Chocolate & Cinnamon, for garnish
METHOD
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake until cold. Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Lightly grate chocolate and cinnamon over top to serve. Enjoy!
Peppermint! 🎄
Last but not least, let’s take a note from a holiday icon: candy canes! Sweet and cooling, it’s a fun flavour to play with if you want to try something new in your festive creations.
Pink Peppermint Sour
Wondering how to incorporate it? Make a peppermint syrup and add it to this sour for some Yuletide cheer!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Candy Cane Syrup*
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- Crushed Candy Canes
METHOD
Use thick simple syrup or honey to rim a cocktail glass with crushed candy canes. Shake ingredients on ice. Strain into the cocktail glass, and enjoy!
*To make the syrup, crush 3-4 large candy canes into pieces. Add to a small saucepan over medium heat with 1 cup water and ½ cup granulated sugar. Simmer until sugar dissolves and candy canes melt completely. Remove from heat and refrigerate in a sealed container.
We hope this provided some inspiration for your very own holiday cocktail creations! The best part of this selection is the versatility. It’s a breeze to get creative with how you combine and play with these flavours: try chocolate with orange or peppermint, cranberries and herbs, or anything else that strikes your fancy! Be sure to share your creations with us on Instagram @empress1908gin with the hashtag #EmpressGin.
For more cocktail inspiration, check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
