Friends of Empress 1908

Cheers to Five Years of Empress 1908!

You read that right— we’re turning five!

We can hardly believe Empress 1908 Gin has been out in the world, in restaurants, liquor stores and home bars, for five whole years. That’s five years of delicious cocktails, created with the help of friends like you.

To carry on our birthday tradition, a virtual cocktail party was in order. Check out what our invitees created for the occasion, and join us in a toast to all the tasty sips to come!

1. Empress Strawberry Rhubarb

Name a better summer pairing than strawberry & rhubarb. Marrying two of our favourite warm weather flavours with Empress 1908 Gin, the talented @twolovesstudio helps us celebrate our birthday month in style!

Ingredients
  • 2 fresh strawberries, chopped⁠
  • ½ cup (125ml) Fresh Grapefruit Juice⁠
  • 1½ oz (45ml) Strawberry Rhubarb Syrup* (see below)⁠
  • ½ oz (30ml) Orange Liqueur⁠
  • Soda to top
  • ⁠1½ oz (45ml) Empress 1908 Gin
Method

Build in a cocktail glass over ice, starting with the syrup, followed by the lemon juice, tonic and finally, gin. Garnish with a slice of dragon fruit. Stir gently, and enjoy!

*syrup recipe
  • 400g Frozen Strawberries⁠
  • 200g Fresh Rhubarb, sliced⁠
  • 1 cup Sugar
  • ⁠½ cup Grapefruit Juice
  • ⁠½ cup Water⁠
Method

Add all ingredients to a saucepan and mix. Bring to the boil and simmer for 20 mins stirring occasionally. The syrup will thicken. Allow to cool slightly and strain with a sieve. Store in a jar in the fridge and allow to chill before using.⁠

2. FROZEN LAVENDER 75

Sparkling, elegant, and a little bit extra, @thehobbydrinkchef‘s Frozen Lavender 75 is a birthday dream. Add a few edible gold flakes for an extravagant final touch!

Ingredients
  • 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
  • ¾ oz Lavender Honey Syrup
  • ¾ oz Lemon Juice
  • 2 dashes of Vanilla Extract
  • Sparkling Wine
  • Gold Flakes & Sparkler (optional)
  • Ice Cubes
Method

Add all ingredients except the bubbly to a shaker tin, then, add to a blender with about 8-10 ice cubes. Blend on high for 20 seconds. Pour the champagne into a glass until about 1/3 full, then pour the blended cocktail of top. Garnish with gold flakes for the extra celebration!

3. GG’s Delight

No birthday blues here— except @queenbeemixology‘s stunning ‘GG’s Delight!’ Try this simple sapphire-hued cocktail with the delicious recipe below.

Ingredients
  • 1½ oz Empress 1908 Gin
  • ½ oz Ginger Liqueur⁠
  • 3 Dashes Orange Bitters⁠ ⁠ ⁠⁠
Method

Add all ingredients to a beaker or glass suitable for stirring.⁠ Top with ice and mix until chilled.⁠ Strain into a cocktail glass, either straight up or over fresh ice.⁠

4. PEach blossom 75

Let the celebrations continue! Raise a toast with @moodymixologist‘s Peach Blossom 75, featuring a homemade Peach & Orange Blossom that’s perfect for summer sipping.

Ingredients
  • 1½ oz Empress 1908 Gin
  • ¾ oz Peach & Orange Blossom Syrup*
  • ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • Top with Champagne
  • Lemon Twist
Method

Shake the first three ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Top with chilled champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

*For @moodymixologist’s Peach & Orange Blossom syrup recipe, click here!

5. sparkling blackberry birthday cocktail

Perfect for sipping in the sunshine, the Sparkling Blackberry Birthday Cocktail is rich in flavour and vibrant in hue. Find @emilylaurae‘s delicious recipe below.

Ingredients
  • ½ Cup Fresh Blackberries
  • 1 Tablespoon Blackberry Jam
  • 1 oz Empress 1908 Gin
  • 4 oz Sparkling Wine
  • Blackberry Ice Cubes
Method

To make the blackberry ice cubes, place fresh blackberries into an ice cube tray and cover with water – freeze overnight before using. To start building your cocktail add your blackberry jam and Empress 1908 Gin into a cocktail glass. Stir gently to combine. Top with sparkling wine and add blackberry ice cubes before enjoying!

In need of more birthday drinkspiration? Check out last year’s celebratory sips, and more in our Instagram Guide!

Sip responsibly!

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