1908 Empress Gin (the indigo gin) Martini Recipe

Santa was kind enough this year to bring us two wonderful additions to our home bar this holiday season. Check out the gorgeous bottle of Empress 1908 gin, and two adorable ‘Nick and Nora’ Riedel glasses.

This martini is my go-to, just as the La Louisiane is Brian’s.

The backstory of 1908 Empress Gin

Known for its vivid indigo color and originally created for the Fairmont Empress Hotel‘s tea room and distilled at Victoria Distillers, the gin features notes of citrus, lavender, and juniper (a la a London Dry). According to its website, the gin is handcrafted using eight carefully selected botanicals.

I can’t pretend that my affinity for this spirit isn’t at least partially due to its gorgeous color. The gin’s vivid indigo color is all natural, thanks to its infusion of butterfly pea blossoms post-distillation. It might be a gimmick, but regardless, I hope you (and your cocktail drinking guests) fall in love with my favorite gin.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Empress 1908 gin
• 1/2 oz Cocchi Americano

Instructions

Add Empress Gin and Cocchi Americano to a cocktail glass with ice. Stir and strain. Garnish with a lemon peel (if desired).