Recipes
4 Low-ABV Cocktails to Try for Damp January
Keep it light on Gin-uary with these recipes!
With the start of a new year comes the opportunity to take a bit of a personal refresh— cue ‘Damp’ January! Whether you’re looking to cut back on consumption or just keen to try something new, we’ve got you covered. Scroll on to explore four delicious recipes with a lower ABV!
JUMP to the recipes ahead!
1. Coconut Strawberry Gin Cooler – 4.2%
Let’s kick things off with the most decadent! @healthylittlepeach brings us this mouthwatering mix of tropical and fruity goodness for a treat that’s too heavenly to resist. Garnished with a popsicle, this one’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 2 oz Coconut Water
- 2 oz Pineapple Juice
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Coconut Syrup
- 1½ oz Strawberry Purée*
- Coconut Cream Popsicle & Edible Flower, to garnish
Method
To a cocktail shaker, add Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, strawberry purée, coconut water, lime juice, coconut syrup, and pineapple juice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds. Pour the cocktail over pebble or crushed ice and add in a coconut cream popsicle. Garnish with an edible flower and enjoy!
*To make the strawberry purée, add 7 strawberries and 1 tbsp powdered swerve or powdered sugar to a blender. Blend on high for 15-30 seconds or until everything is combined.
2. Sir Earl – 9.7%
You probably know how much we love tea by now, and this tipple by @mrs.barnes is no exception. Pairing our Empress Indigo Gin with an Earl Grey syrup and juicy citrus, the complexity is simply to die for!
Ingredients
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 tbsp Earl Grey Syrup*
- 1 tbsp Fresh Orange Juice
- Soda Water, to top
- Orange Twist, for garnish
Method
Shake gin, orange juice and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass (or teacup) over fresh ice. Top with soda water and garnish with an orange twist.
*Combine ½ cup of sugar with a ½ cup water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. When the sugar dissolves, remove from heat, drop in two Earl Grey tea bags, cover, and steep for five minutes. Remove the tea bags and pour into a container and refrigerate for up to a week.
3. Strawberry Basil Smash – 6.3%
Up for a little sunshine this season? @takestwoeggs has just what you need with this fruity and herbal delight that tastes just as vibrant as it looks. With this crowdpleasing palate, there’s a reason strawberries and basil are a forever fave!
Ingredients
- 1 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 2 oz Strawberry Purée
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ¾ oz Simple Syrup
- Club Soda, to top
- Strawberry and Chamomile, for garnish
Method
Start by making the strawberry purée by blending ¼ cup of sliced strawberries and 2 basil leaves together. Mix the purée with the lime juice, Empress Indigo Gin, and simple syrup. Pour into a glass, add crushed ice, and top with soda.
4. Cucumber Basil G&T – 8.5%
To wrap things up, @foodie_renee brings us this rejuvenating take on the G&T boasting crisp cucumber, fragrant basil, and citrus. Bursting with freshness, one sip will bring you right to cocktail paradise! Recipe serves 3.
Ingredients
- 3 oz Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- 2 oz Cucumber Basil Juice*
- 1½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- Tonic Water, to top
- Cucumber Ribbon, for garnish
Method
In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients with ice and shake vigorously for a few seconds. Fill cocktail glass with ice and add tonic water, leaving room for the base cocktail. Pour the mixture over the top and garnish with a cucumber ribbon. Enjoy!
*To make the juice, purée 2 Persian cucumbers, 10 basil leaves, a dash of lemon juice, and ½ cup ice water in a food processor until very smooth. Strain into a pitcher.
The elevated cocktail experience doesn’t have to mean high in alcohol. With a bit of creativity to add complexity to your sips, there’s no compromise on flavour needed when looking to enjoy cocktails more mindfully. They may even become a new favourite that you’ll add to your regular rotation! We hope you share your reshakes with us on Instagram at @empress1908gin – we’d love to see what you’re mixing up nowadays.
For more cocktail inspiration, you know where to look – be sure to head on over to our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
