Empress Gin Cocktail (Magical Color Changing Cocktail)

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!

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. 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.

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.

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.

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!

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

More recipes you'll love!

Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST

Recipe