Even though it's been around for a few years now, it's only recently that I've experienced Empress Gin 1908 from Victoria Distillers in Canada. The gin (here), unlike most clear gin spirits has an indigo blue hue. This unique and unexpected spirit colour happened quite by accident during production of a test recipe. The addition of Southeast Asian Butterfly Pea Flowers created a molecular reaction that changed the colour of the gin from clear to indigo blue. The addition of the Butterfly Pea Flower, originally added for it's earthy flavour, just happened to be the best mistake the distillers have ever made.
Despite the creation of indigo hued Empress Gin 1908 being an accident, it is now the top sale of the distillery. With production soaring, it has been so widely sought after (thank you great marketing!) that other distillers are trying their hand at making indigo coloured gins as well. For the Empress Gin though, not only is the indigo colour a novelty, but the gin also changes colour based on the pH level of any additional liquid added. Going back to high school science, that means that the more acidic the mixers are, the more pink the gin turns. Add enough mix and your drink looks like an amazing tropical sunset. The Empress Gin truly is like magic in a glass - everyone who tries it for the first time is left surprised and smiling.
This week was both Mother's Day and my Mom's birthday. Seeing as my Mom is a huge Gin & Tonic fan, I decided to surprise her with a cocktail fitting for not just one, but two special occasions. For her G&T, the addition of tonic water (Fever Tree Premium India Tonic Water) adjusted the pH of the cocktail, turning the drink a beautiful shade of pinky/purple. My Mom, along with our other guest (socially distanced outside at the moment) were amazed.
Not only is this gin unique in it's original indigo colour, or in it's ability to change colour depending what it is mixed with, but it is also very very tasty. Empress Gin 1908 is a quality gin that does not disappoint (this is not an #ad, I just really like the product).
If you are having guests over, are event planning or just want to make a Gin & Tonic lover smile, I highly recommend purchasing Empress Gin 1908 to be your next star of the bar. You won't regret it, not only is it stunning, it's amazingly easy on the host! Win, win.
Take care and happy sipping,
Krista xo
Empress Gin & Tonic
makes 1 drink
Ingredients
2 oz Empress Gin 1908
4 oz Fever Tree Premium India Tonic Water (you can adjust this quantity to taste)
violas, to garnish (violas are edible flowers)
Method
Pour gin into a Nick & Nora or coupe glass, with 1-2 ice cubes (slow melt cubes preferred). Add viola to top of ice. In a separate glass (I used clear glass mini creamers with a spout) pour tonic. Serve both glasses (the coupe and the creamer glass) to your guests. Sit back and watch as they add the tonic water to their cocktail and get excited!
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