For over a century, the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia has dazzled travelers from all over the world with its grandeur and class, views of the Inner Harbor, and it's world famous afternoon tea service. The hotel carefully curates an exclusive selection of tea leaves for the perfect cup of tea each season. For local Victoria distillers, this care and dedication is particularly what inspired the Empress 1908 gin, taking the same detailed approach to pairing the perfect botanicals with the hotels tea for an exceptional experience. A delicious gin to boot, we could never forget about the deeply mesmerizing indigo color! The last ingredient to the gin is Butterfly Pea Blossom, not only giving it it's striking color but imparts a slight earthy tone to balance to the dominant citrus and delicate spice notes from the other botanicals in the recipe. It's color can change to a deep fuchsia, soft pink, or brilliant blue depending on the mixers you put with it and with different densities of ingredients, you can layer it to make masterful cocktail recipes with endless potential for creativity! 

We were so excited to get our hands on this product to begin making our own masterpieces, here are our favorites we tried for ourselves! 

Empress 1908 Vesper

A new spin on the legendary James Bond cocktail. It looks intimidating, but you won't be disappointed. *This recipe calls for more ounces per ingredient, so you could make two drinks or be extra daring for one big one!

- 3 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 2 oz Vodka - we suggest Nikka Vodka
- 3/4 oz Lillet Blanc Aperitif
- Lemon Peel

Mix ingredients into a beaker or shaker cup with ice. Stir for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel. 

Empress 75

One of my all time favorite cocktails, the French 75, but prettier. Which I actually didn't even think was possible. 

- 1 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1/2 oz Lemon juice
- 1/2 oz Simple syrup
- Sparkling Wine
- Lemon Peel

Mix ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a champagne flute and top off with sparkling wine. Garnish with lemon peel.

Orange You Glad

Ok, we didn't actually get to making this one yet, but I wanted to show the gorgeous layers that you can create. As soon as Dry January is over, I plan on making these for any brunch I ever have in the future. Think of this as an adult Orange Creamsicle. You're welcome.

- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin.
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice.
- 1 oz Orange Juice.
- 1/2 oz Vanilla-Infused Simple Syrup-- 1/2 cup equal parts water a sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Soda water
- Orange Slice

Mix orange juice, lemon juice, and vanilla simple syrup into a shaker with ice, shake well. Strain into a tall cocktail glass with ice. Layer Empress 1908 Gin on top, garnish with Orange Slice. Optional add soda water. *Recommended to stir before enjoying*

Send us your recipes and you could be featured on our Instagram! 

Email pictures and instructions to erin@primawine.com