Guides
4 Easy Tips to Add Fall Vibes to Your Sips
Autumn is here in full swing and we couldn’t be happier!
As the air becomes a bit more chilly and the leaves transform from bright green to a vivid melange of gold, orange, and red; our mood now turns to optimal coziness! It should come as no surprise, then, that you can find us giving our cocktails a splash of fall flair to celebrate the season. If you’re looking to capture that magic in a glass, follow along as we take you through a few of our go-to methods for making the most of autumn’s beauty!
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1. Play with Spices
Fall calls for comforting flavours, and what better kind is there than warm spices? We especially like to do this by creating simple riffs on classics with spice-infused syrups as well as garnishes for soothing aromatics. A few of our favourites are cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger; but choose what inspires you the most!
Shake up a twist on a summer fave with @thegandmkitchen’s Spiced Blackberry Bramble!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1½ oz Spiced Blackberry Syrup*
- Cinnamon Stick & Star Anise, for garnish
Method
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, then strain into a glass over crushed ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and star anise. Enjoy!
*To make the spiced blackberry syrup, combine 2 cups blackberries, 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, 3 cinnamon sticks, and 1 tsp allspice in a small pot. Simmer until the sugar dissolves and the blackberries soften. Let cool, and strain before using.
2. Add Hearty Herbs
We’re always big fans of how the freshness of herbs complements the botanical recipes of our gin lineup. For fall, though, we’re thinking more about the likes of sage, rosemary, and thyme, as they offer a robust earthiness that is inimitable by other ingredients. Like with spices, we frequently leverage these in syrups or garnishes, though you can also just toss in a few leaves or sprigs to a cocktail directly before shaking or stirring.
The savouriness of sage makes the Autumn Bee’s Knees a delightful seasonal sip!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Honey Syrup
- 3-5 Sage Leaves
- Crack of Black Pepper
- Honeycomb, for garnish
Method
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a piece of honeycomb. Cheers!
3. Make it Warm and Toasty!
When the temperature drops, we’ll sometimes crank up the heat of our drinks! From spiked ciders to hot toddies, they’re the perfect accompaniment to an autumn night in while curled up with whatever pastime strikes your fancy. The heat encourages us to slow down and appreciate the beauty around us, whether it’s the flavours of the cocktail or the vibrant hues of the fallen leaves.
Get ready for autumn hosting by making a batch of the Harvest Moon Mulled Cider by @mustloveherbs (makes 6 servings)
Ingredients
- ⅓ -½ cup Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 6 cups Apple Cider
- ¼ cup Star Anise
- 1 Orange, sliced into rounds plus more for garnish
- 1 Large Apple, sliced to preference
- 3 Large Rosemary Sprigs, plus more for garnish
- 4 Cinnamon Sticks, plus more for garnish
- Whipped Cream, to top
- Honey and Coarse Ground Sugar, to rim
- Edible Glitter (optional)
Method
Place all item into a heavy bottom pot and allow to simmer on low for 30 minutes or until desired infusion of flavour is achieved. Serve in honey and sugar rimmed mugs. Top with whipped cream. Garnish with an orange slice, sprig of rosemary, and cinnamon stick.
4. Throw in Some Seasonal Produce
It’s no secret that this is one of our favourite parts of any season! Obviously, indulging in produce at their peak quality is always a delight, and the fruits and veggies you find now are no exception. We especially love the versatility they offer, shining in cocktails that are refreshing and light as well as those that are bold and rich. While we gravitate towards staples like orchard fruits, figs, and even gourds like pumpkin; we also enjoy shopping for what’s new and local to spark ideas!
Every season has its own charm that we love incorporating into our cocktails! In our book, fall especially shines with hearty flavours that add a lingering warmth we tend to crave this time of year. If you felt inspired by this list, be sure to share what you mix with us on Instagram at @empress1908gin – we always love seeing the drinks you’re shaking up!
For more cocktail ideas, you know where to look – head on over to our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!
