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    Make It Skinny Please » Recipes » Cocktails » Empress Gin Cocktail (Magical Color Changing Cocktail)

    Published: Oct 12, 2022 · Modified: Oct 30, 2022 by Toni Dash · 11 Comments

    Empress Gin Cocktail (Magical Color Changing Cocktail)

    Weight Watchers Points5
    Calories: 113kcal
    Carbs: 4g
    Protein: 0g
    Fats: 0g
    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    empress gin cocktail with dry ice and lime.

    Empress 1908 gin makes a magical cocktails with its natural indigo hue; but that's just the start. Gin lovers will flip when tonic water is added transforming the color before their eyes! This color-changing gin is makes a perfect cocktail any time of the year and is perfect for Halloween!

    empress gin cocktail with dry ice and lime.

    Watching the dark indigo color of this perfect gin change to bright lavender is a show stopping event making it ideal for celebrations. The signature color is a wow factor by itself but it's the color transforming behavior of this unique gin (and its unique flavor profile) that make it a favorite.

    We decided to dress it up for Halloween with some spooky dry ice but this great cocktail is a simple cocktail a gin lover can enjoy any time of the year.

    Jump to:
    • What makes it skinny?
    • Recipe Ingredients Notes
    • What is Empress 1908 gin?
    • How to make this Empress Gin Cocktail
    • Expert Tip
    • Halloween dry ice option
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • More recipes you'll love!
    • Recipe

    What makes it skinny?

    • Most hard liquor is similar in calories. Empress gin is about 70 calories per ounce, so 105 calories for a cocktail. That's comparable to other gin brands.
    • The real calorie savings is in the tonic water. Using reduced calorie tonic water saves about more than half the calories. By comparison regular tonic water is around 10 calories per ounce. We used Fever Tree Refreshingly Light Premium Indian Tonic Water which is 4.5 calories per ounce. It has a great flavor that enhances Empress gin cocktail recipes too!

    Recipe Ingredients Notes

    empress gin cocktail ingredients.
    • Empress gin. For this recipe Empress 1908 gin must be used. The unique botanical composition is what creates the color change! Regular gin will not do this. You'll use 1.5 ounces per cocktail
    • Tonic water. For two cocktails you'll use 6 ounces tonic water. It's best to pour the tonic in with the drinker there to see the wonder of the color change OR serve it on the side and allow them to pour it in.
    • Ice cubes
    • Lime slices. To garnish the cocktails if desired.
    empress gin cocktail with ice.

    What is Empress 1908 gin?

    This gin is crafted in small batches by Victoria Distillers in Canada. This inspiration behind it stems from the tea blends served daily for afternoon tea by the legendary Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia (which opened in 1908).

    Gin is a liquor made from juniper berries (they give it the distinct classic gin flavor) along with other botanicals which create a unique flavor. Butterfly pea blossom gives Empress 1908 a beautiful and unusual indigo blue color (most gin is clear). They also give the gin an earthy flavor.

    There are eight natural botanicals including the butterfly pea flowers (including black tea from the Empress Hotel, grapefruit peel, coriander seed, cinnamon bark, rose petal and ginger root) and no artificial colors in the gin but the wow factor is a little secret: it changes color with the right mixer.

    When mixing the gin with a citric acid (tonic water or lemon juice) the gin turns from blue to a lavender color. It's magical to behold and will thrill guest when watching cocktails be mixed.

    This favorite gin makes beautiful drinks out of such easy cocktails thanks to the beautiful indigo color. These purple cocktails are so much fun to serve. Keep some of this exquisite gin in your cocktail bar to whip up other gin cocktails any time!

    How to make this Empress Gin Cocktail

    Add the gin to two highball glasses with ice.

    empress gin cocktail pouring gin into glass with ice.

    Slowly pour over the tonic water (make sure everyone is watching) or serve it on the side for individuals to add their own. Garnish with a slice of lime.

    empress gin cocktail adding tonic water to change color.

    For a Halloween version

    1. (Optional) Carefully add a small piece of dry ice (1 inch or smaller). he drink will begin to smoke for about 5 minutes. When the smoking has stopped completely, the drink is ready to enjoy. Note: dry ice will cause the tonic to bubble quite a bit so fill your glass no more than ½ way full before adding the dry ice.

    Expert Tip

    Do not mix the cocktail until ready to serve so guests can watch the color change!

    empress gin cocktail with dry ice.

    Halloween dry ice option

    When dry ice is added to liquid it begins to smoke creating an eerie fog effect. There are some tips to know before using it. Review this Dry Ice Guide before using.

    • It will cause the drink to bubble up so do not fill the glass more than halfway with the cocktail if planning to use dry ice.
    • Dry ice will smoke for about 5 minutes then should be removed before drinking the cocktail (if swallowed it can cause burns)
    • Always use caution when handling dry ice. Never touch dry ice– always use insulated gloves and silicone utensils.
    • Never consume dry ice– wait until all drinks have finished smoking before enjoying.
    • Keep dry ice in a well ventilated container and never leave dry ice where it is accessible to children and/or pets.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to make Empress 1908 change colors?

    The secret of the color change is all about pH of what is being added due to a quality of the butterfly pea blossoms (specifically pH reacting anthocyanins) . If an acid is added (fresh lemon juice or tonic water) it will turn a reddish pink color. If a base ingredient like cucumber is added the drink will turn bluer.

    Does either regular tonic water or light tonic water turn the gin cocktail colors?

    Yes! Both have a similar pH which is what makes the gin turn from a beautiful blue hue to purple or pink if adding more tonic.

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    Recipe

    empress gin cocktail with dry ice and lime slice.

    Empress Gin Cocktail (skinny color-changing cocktail)

    Weight Watchers Points5
    Click to track Weight Watchers Points
    This magical cocktail transforms a standard gin and tonic into an event. The combination of Empress 1908 gin and light tonic water creates a spectacular show and has less calories than a classic G & T!
    5 from 76 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Cocktails
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Low Calorie
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 113kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • ice
    • 3 ounces Empress 1908 gin
    • 6 ounces light tonic water
    • lime slices garnish

    Instructions

    • Fill two highball or rocks glasses with ice. Pour in the Empress gin.
    • When ready to serve (the color only changes when the tonic is added) slowly pour in the tonic and watch the cocktail color change!
    • Garnish with lime slices and serve immediately.
    • Halloween option: add a very small piece of dry ice to create a smoking effect. Allow the smoking to stop before consuming and remove any remaining dry ice.
    • NOTE: the dry ice will cause the drink to bubble vigorously so do not fill the glass full before adding the dry ice.

    Video

    Notes

    Refer to this Dry Ice Guide before using dry ice in this or other cocktails.
    Ingredient notes
    Tonic water: there are other low calorie (maybe even no calorie) tonic water options which also could be used. We like the quality and flavor of the Fever-Tree refreshingly light tonic but use what you love!
    Gin: regular gin will not create the color change. There are other gin brands that use butterfly pea flower which would have a color change but we have not tried them.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Sodium: 0.4mg | Potassium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg
    Tried this recipe? Please share it!Mention @MakeItSkinnyPlease or tag #MakeItSkinnyPlease!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutritional Coach and certified Weight Loss Specialist, writer/blogger, photographer, chief recipe developer and creator of Make It Skinny Please. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her slimmed down recipes using real food ingredients bring excitement to the dining table and never taste like 'diet food'. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nancy says

      October 29, 2022 at 9:43 am

      5 stars
      Such a pretty cocktail. Makes me happy just looking at it.

      Reply
    2. Aria says

      October 29, 2022 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious cocktail and the effect of the ingredients changing color is so magical! The hit of our Halloween party last night. Will make again.

      Reply
    3. Beth says

      October 29, 2022 at 8:36 am

      5 stars
      Loving the colour of this cocktail. Perfect for Halloween!

      Reply
    4. Kristine says

      October 29, 2022 at 8:07 am

      5 stars
      We made this cocktail for a party this weekend and it was a huge hit! So festive and fun, and also very yummy! Thanks for such a fun recipe.

      Reply
    5. Gina Abernathy says

      October 29, 2022 at 7:55 am

      5 stars
      This is so cool! I love this!

      Reply
    6. Sheila G says

      October 12, 2022 at 12:01 pm

      5 stars
      These are amazing!! My friends loved these and they are so fun to make!

      Reply
    7. Nikki says

      October 12, 2022 at 9:40 am

      5 stars
      This is a fun and festive drink. Like the dry ice idea.

      Reply
    8. Dana says

      October 12, 2022 at 8:53 am

      5 stars
      This is so beautiful and simple! I love Empress gin so much. It's just gorgeous!

      Reply
    9. Tayler says

      October 12, 2022 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      The color of this cocktail is incredible! Perfect for Halloween too.

      Reply
    10. Jen says

      October 12, 2022 at 8:21 am

      5 stars
      This is a really cool and amazing drink! So festive and perfect for any occasion!

      Reply
    11. Tara says

      October 12, 2022 at 7:29 am

      5 stars
      Such a fun cocktail! I absolutely love that color too.

      Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I'm a Certified Nutrition Coach and NASM certified Weight Loss Specialist. I'm excited to share Classic Recipes made more calorie friendly using real food!

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