Friends of Empress 1908
G&T Day 2025
Discover your new favourite G&T riff made by our creator friends!
On April 9th, we’ll be raising a glass to our all-time favourite cocktail: the gin & tonic! So simple, yet so delish; it’s no wonder there’s a whole day dedicated to this icon.
To celebrate, we partnered with a few of our creator friends to partake in a friendly competition to craft their best Empress & Tonic. Let us be the first to tell you how much everyone brought their A-game! From twists that highlight the beauty of subtlety to the use of innovative ingredients, one of these will surely have your name on it.
Jump to the recipes ahead!
The Butterfly Effect
Starting off strong, @drinksbyevie serves up this extravagant take on the G&T. With luscious texture from a coconut-oil-washed gin and sweet decadence with a foam, the Butterfly Effect is a must-make if you’re looking to wow your guests at a G&T party!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Coconut-Oil-Washed Empress 1908 Indigo Gin*
- ½ oz Yuzu Juice
- 3 oz Tonic Water
- Vanilla Honey Foam**
- Bee Pollen, for garnish
METHOD
Pour the butter-washed gin and yuzu juice into a chilled glass over ice. Stir gently to combine. Top with tonic water and pipe with a layer of salted vanilla honey foam over the top. Finish with a dusting of sifted bee pollen.
*Coconut-wash the gin: Melt 2 tbsp of coconut oil, remove from heat, let it cool slightly, and pour it into a clean jar along with 2 cups of Empress Indigo Gin. Let sit at room temperature for 2 hours, then freeze until the oil solidifies. Strain through a coffee filter and store in a clean bottle.
**Make the foam: Combine 2 oz honey syrup, 1 tsp vanilla bean paste, 1 egg white, a pinch of kosher salt, and ½ oz lemon juice in an iSi canister. Charge with one N₂O cartridge, shake, and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator, charge with another N₂O cartridge, and shake again (alternatively, whip with a hand frother until very thick and fluffy!)
Shan’s E&T
For a more simplified approach, @she_thebartender comes in with an E&T that highlights the beauty of the little details and letting the nuances speak for themselves! A touch of citrusy bittersweetness from a Campari-rinsed glass and botanical-driven aromatics make for a sip that’s understated yet refined.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ¼ oz Campari, to rinse
- 5 oz Light Tonic Water, to top
- Mint Bouquet and Expressed Orange Twist, for garnish
METHOD
Start by swirling the inside of a large white glass with Campari. Fill with ice, add Empress Indigo Gin, and top with tonic. Gently stir to combine and garnish.
Tomato Water Gin & Tonic
For the cocktail adventurer, @thelucasassis has you covered with a sip featuring a very intriguing ingredient: clarified tomato water! Delightfully savoury-sweet with burst of umami, it’s a great way to change up the vibes of the classic.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ¾ oz Clear Tomato Water*
- Tonic Water, to top
- Lemon Twist, Cocktail Onion, Cherry Tomato, and Cornichon; for garnish
METHOD
Build ingredients in a cocktail glass filled with ice and top with tonic water. Garnish with an expressed lemon twist along with a cocktail onion, cherry tomato, and cornichon on a pick.
*To make the tomato water, roughly chop a tomato, remove the core, and add to a blender. Add one barspoon of salt per tomato used and purée. Strain twice with a coffee filter, letting strain while stored in the refrigerator.
The Easiest Cocktail
Last but certainly not least, @driftersjoint highlights the citrus in our botanical recipe with a grapefruit shrub! With a zesty pop from the vinegar along with dreamy aromatics, this G&T is sure to delight the senses.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ¾ oz Grapefruit Shrub*
- Splash of Tonic Water, to top
- Grapefruit Twist, for garnish
METHOD
In a rocks glass filled with ice, add Empress Indigo Gin and the shrub. Top with tonic, garnish with a grapefruit twist, and enjoy!
*To make the grapefruit shrub, combine ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice, ½ cup sugar, ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, and the peel of one whole grapefruit in a bottle. Shake and let sit in the refrigerator overnight. Strain the liquid out the next day.
We hope you celebrate the day with us by mixing yourselves an Empress & Tonic, whether it’s any of these twists or even the tried-and-true original!
For more cocktail inspiration, be sure to check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
