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    Home » Drinks & Cocktails

    Published: Sep 6, 2023 by Angela and Mark · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Golden Empress Gin Cocktail

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    As we get ready to say goodbye to summer, and welcome all the flavors of fall, we need something to sip on that perfectly combines summer and fall into one delicious drink! This Golden Empress Gin Cocktail is just that! It is bright and citrusy with hints of anise making it the perfect drink to sip on as the weather changes and the autumn leaves begin to fall.

    Golden Empress Gin Cocktail
    Golden Empress Gin Cocktail

    Sometimes a simple sipping cocktail that is not overly sweet is the absolute best, and this Golden Empress is exactly what we want to sip on. With a botanical-forward flavor profile, this is surprisingly smooth.

    We are big gin-lovers and Empress 1908 Gin is one of our all-time faves! If you are looking for more gin cocktails like this, check out our Spicy Empress Greyhound Cocktail or the Spiced Pomegranate and Rosemary Gin Spritz!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • Golden Empress Gin Cocktail

    Ingredients

    The Golden Empress Gin Cocktail is made with a few simple ingredients: Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Galliano, lemon juice and club soda.

    Golden Empress Gin Cocktail
    This cocktail has only 4 ingredients: Empress 1908 Gin, Galliano, lemon juice and club soda.
    • Empress 1908 Indigo Gin: Empress 1908 Gin is an Indigo-colored gin infused with butterfly pea flower giving it that striking purple-blue color. Butterfly pea flower is one of the 8 botanicals in this gin, and its natural color-changing properties from changes in pH levels contribute to a variety of stunning cocktails.
    • Galliano: Galliano is slightly sweet by itself, but has a very uncommon flavor profile, which comes from the variety of herbs and spices used when made. Anise, star anise, cinnamon, juniper, and vanilla are just a few flavors found in Galliano. We get a lot of star anise and vanilla, making it a perfect pairing with Empress 1908 Gin.
    • Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice balances this cocktail and gives it the bright citrusy flavor.
    • Club Soda: Or carbonated water, smoothes out the drink a bit and makes it a bit bubbly.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    The Golden Empress cocktail could not be easier to make in a few steps:

    • Step 1: Add Empress 1908 Gin, Galliano and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
    • Step 2: Shake vigorously for 30 seconds until chilled.
    • Step 3: Strain into a low ball glass over a large ice cube.
    • Step 4: Top with club soda and enjoy!

    Hint: Use a fine sieve to strain the cocktail as you pour it so that no chunks of ice or lemon seeds end up in the cocktail.

    Substitutions

    • Gin - Empress 1908 Gin makes this cocktail a bit more special, but if you don't have it or can't find it for any reason, you can replace it with your favorite London Dry Gin.
    • Galliano - If you can't find Galliano, you can use Sambuca or Yellow Chartreuse in its place, although this will slightly change the flavor of the final cocktail.

    Variations

    Looking to experiment with the flavor profile of this cocktail? Try this out:

    • Use a different citrus - play around with different citrus flavors in this drink like lime, grapefruit or orange for a fun twist on the Golden Empress Gin Cocktail.

    Equipment

    The following bar equipment is important to have on hand for the Golden Empress:

    • Cocktail Shaker: Invest in a good cocktail shaker so that you can get the perfect shaken drink every time!
    • Jigger: It's important to measure out your ingredients when making cocktails and a jigger allows you to easily do so.
    • Fine Sieve: We use a fine sieve to strain our cocktails.

    Check out more of our favorite Bar Tools HERE!

    Storage

    We recommend making and drinking this cocktail immediately as it is super easy to throw together.

    If you want to make this Golden Empress Gin Cocktail for a crowd, you can batch make this by adding all ingredients together and keeping it in an airtight container in your fridge to serve the same day for a party.

    Top tip

    Serve the Golden Empress Gin Cocktail over large ice cubes to make the golden color of the drink shine!

    FAQ

    What is so special about Empress 1908 Gin?

    Empress 1908 is a hand-crafted, high quality gin that has a unique indigo color. The unique color comes from infusing the gin with butterfly pea flower.

    How does Empress 1908 Gin change color?

    Empress Gin is infused with butterfly pea flower, giving it a beautiful indigo color. Butterfly pea flower has natural color changing properties with changes in pH. Adding acidity to Empress, like lemon juice, changes the color to light purple/pink. Adding a base to Empress, like alkaline water or cucumber juice, changes the color to lighter blues and aqua greens.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Rose Colored Glasses Raspberry Vanilla Gin Cocktail
      Rose Colored Glasses: Raspberry Vanilla Gin Cocktail
    • Empress Frozen Limoncello Gin Spritz
      Frozen Limoncello Gin Spritz Cocktail
    • Sparkling Pomegranate Ranch Water
      Sparkling Pomegranate Ranch Water
    • Blueberry Pie Gimlet
      Blueberry Pie Gimlet

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with this cocktail:

    • Pesto and Pea Bucatini Pasta with Grilled Chicken
      Pesto and Pea Bucatini Pasta with Grilled Chicken
    • Hen of the Woods Mushroom Pasta with Creamy Tarragon Sauce
      Hen of the Woods Pasta with Creamy Tarragon Sauce
    • Spaghetti alla Nerano
      Spaghetti alla Nerano (Cheesy Fried Zucchini Pasta)
    • Homemade Potato Herb Gnocchi
      How to Make Homemade Potato Herb Gnocchi
    Golden Empress Gin Cocktail

    Golden Empress Gin Cocktail

    A bright and golden cocktail combining Empress 1908 Gin, Galliano, lemon juice and club soda for the perfect summer-meets-fall sip!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Total Time 2 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 212 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Cocktail Shaker
    • 1 Jigger
    • 1 Fine sieve

    Ingredients
      

    • 1.75 oz Empress 1908 Gin
    • 1 oz Galliano
    • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 oz club soda
    • 1 whole star anise for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker, add ice and shake for 30 seconds. Pour over a large format ice cube or regular ice cubes and top with the chilled club soda. Garnish with a whole star anise and serve.

    Video

    https://cookingwithwineblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Golden-Empress-Cocktail-Recipe-Video.mp4

    Nutrition

    Calories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.04gSaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 17mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 0.03mg
    Keyword citrus, Empress cocktails, fall drinks, gin cocktails, summer drinks
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Classically trained chef, Mark, and wife and food photographer, Angela, are the cooking duo behind Cooking with Wine! Our goal is to create delicious and approachable recipes that you can make at home. We strive to make every meal special!

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