Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
Travel Distilled reviews Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin from the Empress 1908 Distillery, makers of Indigo Gin, along with Elderflower Rose Gin cocktails.
I recently reviewed and was impressed by Empress 1908’s Indigo Gin, a bright blue gin which uses butterfly pea blossom. This turns the gin indigo when mixed with tonic, and other colors with other mixers. When I tried it with tonic I described it as one of the best G&Ts I’d had in ages. I shared it with some friends and they definitely agreed.
Empress Elderflower Rose Gin
So when offered the chance to try their new Elderflower Rose Gin, I didn’t need asking twice. Just to recap, the company takes its name from the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, in Canada, which was founded in 1908. It was the hotel’s historic and famous afternoon tea program that inspired the company to explore gin flavors and botanicals.
It was their home city of Victoria which inspired them to produce this recent Elderflower Rose Gin. Victoria is known as the City of Gardens, and despite being so far north those gardens bloom and blossom almost all-year-round. It was these gardens that helped the distillers choose the nine botanicals that go into the new gin, including of course elderflower and rose.
Tasting Empress Elderflower Rose Gin
The gin is a lovely pink-red color, like a dark rosé wine, or a lighter red wine. It’s rich and classy-looking, and created naturally from the red rose petals used.
Botanicals: Juniper, Red Rose Petal, Elderflower, Lavender, Orange Peel, Orris Root, Cinnamon Bark, Coriander Seed and Black Carrot.
I was naturally expecting a very floral gin when I first sniffed and tasted it, and that is initially what you get – a floral/juniper mix. But there’s much more to it, with hints of orangey citrus, some spiciness, and a natural sweetness.
One of the botanicals is black carrot. What? I’d never heard of black carrots so looked them up and they do exist. Consumed in large quantities they may give you flatulence and discolor your skin, but thankfully that doesn’t apply to the minute amounts you’ll get from this gin. Not even when you’re tempted to have seconds, when you discover how more-ish the gin is.
We shared it with a friend who appreciates her gins and this definitely got the thumbs-up, when mixed with a quality Fever Tree tonic. A slice of orange as a garnish is a nice addition, and at 42.5% ABV (85 proof) it has slightly more of an alcoholic kick than your average 40% ABV (80 proof) gin. Another delicious winner from Empress 1908. I’m curious what they’ll come up with next.
Elderflower Rose Gin Cocktails
BLOSSOM & TONIC
Description: Blossoming with subtle floral notes and citrus essence, our vibrant Gin & Tonic can’t be beat!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 3 oz Premium Tonic Water
Method: Fill a copa glass with ice, add Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose
Gin and premium tonic water. Garnish with an orange slice.
EMPRESS NEGRONI ROSA
Description: With a deep ruby hue and balanced flavour profile, our signature Negroni Rosa elevates this bold Italian classic.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ¾ oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
- ¾ oz Dry Vermouth
Method: Stir on ice, and strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large
ice cube or sphere. Garnish with an orange twist.
ROYAL HOLIDAY
Description: Taste the tropics with our Royal Holiday. Bursting with fruit and a familiar sweetness, this creation brings the sunshine to
you!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1 oz Orange Juice
- 0.5 oz Pineapple Juice
- 0.5 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ¼ oz Orgeat
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain over crushed ice in a
rocks glass. Garnish with pineapple fronds & slice.
GARDEN GIMLET
Description: Enjoy the effortless elegance of our Garden Gimlet. Add a sprig of lavender to garnish and take in the aromas of a
flower field in bloom!
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ¾ oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
Method: Shake ingredients on ice. Strain into a chilled coupe or
Nick & Nora glass. Garnish with a lavender sprig for aromatics.
SHADES OF PINK
Description: Reinvent the beloved Tom Collins with Empress Elderflower Rose— sip on layers of bright lemon, a touch of
sweetness and our own unique floral blend!
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Simple Syrup
- Soda Water
Method: Shake ½ oz Empress Elderflower Rose Gin, lemon and
simple syrup on ice. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Top
with soda and float remaining 1 oz gin on top. Garnish with a
lemon wheel and lavender sprig.
EMPRESS ELDERFLOWER SOUR
Description: Delicate, decadent and dressed to impress, the Elderflower Sour brings forth the best of our botanical recipe.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¾ oz Simple Syrup
- 1 oz Egg White (or Aqua Faba)
Method: Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain
to remove ice. Shake again without the ice. Fine strain into a
chilled coupe glass. Garnish with rose petals.
ELDERFLOWER ROSE 75
Description: Sparkling and celebratory, our Elderflower Rose 75 takes a well-loved staple and adds a special floral touch.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup
- Sparkling Wine
Method: Shake on ice, fine strain into a chilled flute, top with
sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Buying Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin
This Canadian gin is also available in the USA, and you can buy it direct from Empress 1908 Gin.
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