Empress 1908 Gin
Empress 1908 Gin is a Canadian gin whose botanicals include black tea and butterfly pea blossom, which turns the gin indigo, and other colors in gin cocktails.
We’ve all heard of pink gin, but indigo gin? And a gin that turns colour when mixed with tonic? I must admit my first wary reaction was that this had to be a gimmick, but I was definitely keen to try it.
And let me say up front that this is no gimmick, though it is fun. When my wife and I first tasted it mixed with tonic, we both agreed it was the best gin and tonic we’ve had in months, and we had to invite a gin-loving friend round for a taste – and a look at what happens when you pour in the tonic. The friend also agreed: ‘That’s one of the best gin and tonics I’ve ever had!’
Who Makes Empress 1908 Gin?
Empress 1908 Gin is made by Victoria Distillers, a Canadian distillery based by the waterfront in Sidney, British Columbia. It’s about a half-hour north of Victoria on Vancouver Island, and a beautiful spot. If you’re in the vicinity, call in for a tour and a tasting. Their other spirits include brandy, vodka, hemp vodka, chocolate liqueur, and a gin aged in oak barrels.
How is Empress 1908 Gin Made?
The gin is made in small batches in the distillery’s copper pot stills. One of the two unusual botanicals is the black tea that is served at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria. The hotel is apparently famous for its tea and its afternoon tea service. They use a blend of teas from Assam, Kenya, South India, Ceylon, and China, and the blend is specially made for the hotel.
The hotel was founded in 1908, hence the name of the gin. It’s a fair bet that they have quite a few bottles of the gin lined up behind the bar – and very striking they’ll look.
The other unusual botanical is butterfly pea blossom, an exotic flower that you can also make tea with (and they do, at the Empress Hotel) and which is the most vivid blue you’ve ever seen. The gin isn’t quite that blue, it’s more of a pale shade, but it comes in an attractive and solid bottle, and is 42.5% ABV (85 proof), so is just slightly stronger than the average gin.
The other botanicals are juniper, grapefruit peel, coriander seeds, cinnamon bark, rose petal, and ginger root. That isn’t a lot compared to many gins, but as we found when we tasted it, less is definitely more.
Tasting Empress 1908 Gin
The gin makes preparing a cocktail cool. On the first occasion you don’t know what to expect, and it’s surprising to see the drink slowly change colour as you pour in the mixer. The signature cocktail is an Empress and Tonic, and here the colour changes to a kind of very pale purple, or fuschia. We popped in the recommended grapefruit slice, for a gorgeous-looking and delicious drink.
With other mixers the colour might change to bright lavender or soft pink, so it’s a great excuse to make lots of gin cocktails. I’ve got a Q Grapefruit Tonic lined up next, and I’m curious to see what happens.
Not that you need any excuse to make cocktails with this gin. As I’ve already said, it’s one of the best G&Ts I’ve had in ages. It’s smooth as silk, light on the juniper but with strong citrus notes thanks to the grapefruit peel in the botanicals, and the slice of grapefruit as a garnish. If you sip it or smell it neat, you also pick up the floral hints from the rose petal, and a dash of spice from the cinnamon and ginger.
I’d say this is a gin made for cocktails, though, and thankfully there are lots of gin cocktail ideas on the website, a few of which I’ve printed below.
Empress 1908 Gin Awards
Don’t just take my word for it. Check out just some of the many awards the gin has won over the last few years:
Storing Empress 1908 Gin
The distillers say that the gin will slowly lose its blue tinge so they recommend you store it in a dark place, or consume it within a year of purchase. Consuming it is going to be easy, but storing it hard as it’s the kind of bottle you’ll want to have out on display – maybe just bring it out when you have guests coming round. And you’ll be wanting to have friends round, like we did, to show them what happens when you mix this gin with tonic, and to share in the taste of this outstanding gin.
Empress 1908 Gin Cocktails
EMPRESS & TONIC
Description: A match made in heaven – and it also happens to be our signature drink! Tart, refreshing, and effortlessly delicious, the Empress and Tonic is an elevated take on a classic favorite.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3 oz Premium Tonic Water
- 1 Grapefruit Slide
Method: Build on ice in a rocks glass. Garnish with a grapefruit
EMPRESS 75
Description: A cocktail made for celebration, the Empress 75 is sparkling, effervescent, and deliciously sippable. Think of it as a graduated mimosa.
Ingredients:
- 11⁄2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3⁄4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1⁄2 oz Simple Syrup
- Sparkling Wine & a Lemon Twist
Method: Shake on ice, fine strain into a chilled flute, top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.
EMPRESS MARTINI
Description: Regal, dry, and fit for royalty. The Empress Martini is a spirit-forward, crisp classic bound to satisfy any cocktail connoisseur.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1⁄2 oz Lillet Blanc
- Grapefruit Twist
Method: Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
ROYAL HAWAIIAN
Description: Tall, tropical, and tasty. If you’ve ever wanted a sip of sunshine, the Royal Hawaiian is as close as you’ll get.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz Unsweetened Pineapple Juice
- 1⁄2 oz Press Lemon Juice
- 1⁄2 oz Orgeat Syrup & a Pineapple Slice
Method: Shake all ingredients except gin with ice. Strain into a collins glass with crushed ice, layer gin on top. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
EMPRESS LAVENDER LEMONADE
Description: Your favorite childhood treat, reimagined. The freshness of homestyle lemonade sings alongside the lightly floral lavender honey, keeping you coming back for more.
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz Lavender Honey Syrup
- 2 oz Lemonade Lavender Sprig
Method: Fill a stemless wine glass with crushed ice. Shake lemonade and syrup on ice and strain into the glass. Layer Empress 1908 Gin on top and add more crushed ice. Garnish with a lavender sprig.
EMPRESS NEGRONI
Description: A modern take on the Italian classic, the Empress Negroni is just the right amount of dry, bitter, citrusy, and sweet.
Ingredients:
- 1 1⁄2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3⁄4 oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
- 3⁄4 oz Dry Vermouth
- Grapefruit Twist
Method: Stir over ice. Strain intro a rocks glass onto a large ice cube/sphere. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
CUCUMBER BLUE
Description: Simple and refreshing, light and herbal, this cooling cocktail might just be your new summer drink.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- Soda Water
- Cucumber
- Mint
- Basil
Method: Muddle cucumber, basil, and mint in the bottom of a chilled rocks glass. Add ice and Empress 1908. Top with soda water. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and basil.
THEODORA
Description: For lovers of all things floral, the Theodora cocktail is calling your name! Lavender, rose and honey make this fragrant sip perfect for the spring season. Created in the Victoria Distillers cocktail lounge.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3⁄4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3⁄4 oz Lavender Honey Syrup
- ¼ oz Rose Water
- Lavender Sprig
Method: Rinse a chilled coupe glass with rose water. Shake the gin, lemon and syrup on ice, and strain into the coupe. Garnish with a sprig of lavender or edible flower.
BEE’S KNEES
Description: A timeless classic, the Bee’s Knees is delightfully sweet with the delicate richness of honey.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3⁄4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1⁄2 oz Honey Syrup
- Lemon Twist
Method: Shake ingredients on ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Buying Empress 1908 Gin
You can find out more about the gin on the Empress 1908 Gin website, where you can buy the gin online. You can also buy it at other online outlets, including Drizly. It has a recommended price of $39.99, which is a bargain for such a special gin.
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