Recipes
Cocktails to Try if You’re Not a Gin Fan
These sips are bound to turn you into a gin lover!
Not a fan of gin? Think again! We often say that acquiring the love for this spirit starts with finding the perfect cocktail, so we’re here to share with you a few recipes that we think will change your mind. Are you more of a vodka fan? Might you overall require just a little more convincing? Read on to discover the gin cocktails that are calling for your name!
Jump to the category ahead!
For the Vodka Lover
Salty Dog – @bridannerphoto
The mix of a spirit and grapefruit juice makes for an easy, yet delicious sipper; and the pop of salt here really awakens the senses! As an offshoot of the greyhound, if you’re used to having yours with vodka, try it with gin. We especially love how the Salty Dog plays off the grapefruit in our Empress Indigo Gin!
Blooming Mule
Who doesn’t love a Moscow Mule? Refreshing and bold, it’s no wonder they’re such a crowdpleaser! The minimal spec makes it very simple to swap out the base spirit to incorporate unique layers of complexity, such as our Empress Elderflower Rose Gin for a floral take. Give this recipe a shot if you want a mule that’s truly remarkable!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 3 oz Ginger Beer
- Lime Wheel & Fresh Mint Leaves, for garnish
METHOD
In a collins glass, build the gin, lime juice and ginger beer over ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and sprig of mint.
Cucumber Lemon Drop
Was the lemon drop your first cocktail love? We’re levelling up one of the most iconic sips by doubling down on the crisp and fresh palate with the botanicals of our Empress Cucumber Lemon Gin. With an extra burst of citrusy and vegetal notes, this may very well become your new favourite!
For the Tequila Lover
Cherry Blossom Gin-arita – @foodie_renee
It’s hard not to love a well-crafted margarita. Zesty from lime, a little sweet with orange liqueur, and that unforgettable pop from the salt rim; with so much deliciousness, it doesn’t take long to finish a glass! @foodie_renee took a queue from the classic and added her own spin with elegant florals from our Elderflower Rose expression and a cherry blossom syrup. Coupled with its beautifully blushing hue, this margarita riff is a delight to behold!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1 oz Orange Liqueur
- ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ½ oz Cherry Blossom Syrup
- Lime wedge & Pink Salt, to rim glass
- Cherry Blossoms, to garnish
METHOD
Prepare the glass by running a lime wedge around the rim, then dipping it in pink salt to coat. In a shaker, combine Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, orange liqueur, lime juice, cherry blossom syrup, and a handful of ice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into glass over fresh ice. Top with a cherry blossom. Enjoy!
Paloma Pamplemousse
If not a margarita, then the paloma is often a go-to for tequila aficionados alike. In our version, we mix vibrant citrus along with whispers of chili heat and smoke as a nod to the beauty of spicy agave cocktails!
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ¾ oz Pamplemousse Liqueur
- ½ oz Mezcal
- ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- Grapefruit Soda (to top)
- Salt, Sugar, & Cayenne (for rim)
- Grapefruit Slice
METHOD
Rim a cocktail glass with salt, sugar and cayenne. Shake all ingredients on ice except grapefruit soda, and strain into the cocktail glass over fresh ice. Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with a grapefruit slice.
For the Rum Lover
Victoria Mai Tai – @carneliancooks
This Mai Tai twist shows us how split-bases with spirits (here with Empress Indigo Gin in the lead with a touch of rum as a supporting role) can create so much unique dimension in a cocktail! Pairing our botanical recipe with nutty tahini orgeat, lush nigori sake, and tart lime; the tasting experience rings familiar and acts as a rum lover’s gateway into gin.
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ½ oz Light Rum
- ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ¾ oz Nigori Sake
- 1 oz Tahini Orgeat
- ½ oz Banana Cream Liqueur
- Black Sesame Seeds, Mint & Orchid, to garnish
METHOD
In a small bowl combine 1 oz of orgeat and 1 oz of tahini to create the tahini orgeat mixture. Whisk until smooth. In a cocktail shaker, add all ingredients except Empress Indigo Gin. Shake with ice to chill. Strain into a glass over crushed ice. Top with an Empress Indigo Gin float. Garnish with black sesame seeds, a mint sprig, and orchid. Enjoy!
Royal Holiday
Enjoy a getaway in a glass with the Royal Holiday in hand! Packed with bright flavours of orange and pineapple, this cocktail made for beach-side sipping evokes the name perfectly. You can somewhat think of it as a mashup of the Royal Hawaiian and Painkiller with the tropical influence!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1 oz Orange Juice
- ½ oz Pineapple Juice
- ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ¼ oz Orgeat
- Pineapple Slice and Fronds, for garnish
METHOD
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with pineapple fronds & slice.
For the General Skeptic
Collins
Bubbly cocktails are always a hit, and what’s a better example than a Collins? The tang and refreshment of lemon and soda make it approachable in a way that’s almost like sipping on fizzy lemonade. Play around with all the expressions from our lineup to discover your favourite variation!
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Gin of choice*
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- Soda Water, to top
- To garnish:
- Lemon Slice (for all)
- Lavender Sprigs (for Empress Elderflower Rose Gin)
- Cucumber Ribbon (for Empress Cucumber Lemon Gin)
METHOD
Shake on ice (except for soda), strain into ice-filled Collins glass, top with soda water. Garnish accordingly and enjoy!
*With Empress Elderflower Rose Gin, add ½ oz to the shaker and leave 1 oz to float on top before garnishing.
Lavender Haze
Speaking of lemonade, here’s another excellent pick if you’re all about that vibe! Lavender and lemon are one of our favourite combinations, and they’re especially divine in this endlessly sippable dream.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Lavender Honey Syrup*
- 2 oz Homestyle 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, 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 voilà! It can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Sweet as Can Be Lychee Martini – @thesocialsipper
Here’s a bit of a mixology hack – if you want to make a cocktail that’ll satisfy most people’s tastebuds, make lychee one of the hero ingredients and build from there. The soft fruity sweetness complements the botanical profile of gin (especially the florals here) splendidly while making the overall drink oh-so easy to enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 2 Lychees, muddled (plus more for garnish)
- ½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1½ oz Lychee Syrup, from can
- Pinch of Sea Salt
- Edible Flowers, for garnish
METHOD
Start by adding the lime juice and lychee pieces to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into cocktail glass and garnish.
Cucumber Gimlet 75 – @theweekendmixologist
A crisp French 75 with a kiss of elderflower – what can be better than that? Encapsulating the essence of a garden in full bloom, this glass of elegance is lengthened to perfection with champagne for effervescence that makes each sip that much more refined!
INGREDIENTS
- 1½ oz Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- ½ oz Elderflower Syrup
- ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 Dashes Orange Bitters
- Champagne, to top
- Cucumber Slice & Edible Flower, for garnish
METHOD
Add all ingredients except champagne to a shaking tin and then add ice. Shake well and double strain into a coupe. Top with champagne and garnish with cucumber and a flower. Enjoy!
With so many different types of cocktails one can make with gin, we’d say it’s just a matter of finding the perfect match for you! After all, given the diversity within this category of spirits, there’s certainly something out there waiting for you to enjoy.
For more cocktail inspiration, be sure to check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
