Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail with Empress 1908

This Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail is a soft, dessert-style drink that combines floral rose notes with warm vanilla and smooth gin. Lightly sweet, gently aromatic, and visually striking, it leans more toward an after-dinner cocktail than a classic aperitif, making it perfect when you want something elegant, comforting, and just a little indulgent.

Hello folks – how are you doing? I hope this week has been treating you well so far, and you are ready to enjoy weekend. Hopefully, it is not going to be awfully hot and humid. I am not a huge fan of days like that. I can tolerate up to 25 degrees C (with most comfortable being 18-20 degrees C), but anything above is unbearable hot to me.

But summer is here, and so are refreshing drinks here on my blog.

While alcoholic drinks are not an ideal remedy to stay cool in the heat summer, and should be limited or even avoided for people with certain health conditions, I do not mind enjoying a refreshing cocktail after the dinner. After all, most of my summer cocktails you will find on the Havoc in the Kitchen are relatively light and fruity.

What is Empress 1908?

Empress 1908 is gin (disclaimer: not sponsored) produced in British Columbia, Canada. It has a pleasant and subtle botanical flavour, including the one coming from Juniper berries. It also includes Butterfly pea blossoms that give this gin its distinct indigo color and which changes its shade depending on the pairing. The hues (i.e., different purple and pink hues from light lavender to vibrant fuchsia) vary depending on the pairing ingredients. It works particularly well when mixing with citrus juices and liquors.

If you have never had this gin, I encourage you to give it a try. If not available, as an alternative, you can use any other gin with a delicate botanical flavour instead.

Why You’ll Love This Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail

• Dessert-style and indulgent. Vanilla adds warmth and depth, turning a rose gin cocktail into a soft, after-dinner drink.
• Floral but balanced. Rose remains delicate and aromatic without overpowering the glass.
• Smooth and elegant. Gin provides structure while keeping the cocktail light and refined.
• Visually beautiful. The gentle blush tone makes it especially appealing for entertaining.
• Distinct from classic rose gin cocktails. A clear vanilla-forward variation rather than a generic floral drink.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail

This Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail uses a small number of ingredients, each playing a clear role in creating its soft, dessert-style character.

• Empress 1908 gin: A smooth, floral-forward gin that provides structure and a delicate botanical base, while also contributing to the cocktail’s beautiful blush tone.
• Limoncello: Adds gentle citrus sweetness and brightness, balancing the floral and vanilla notes without overpowering them.
• Rose syrup: Brings the signature floral aroma and sweetness; adjust the amount depending on how pronounced you want the rose flavour.
• Fresh lemon juice: A small splash sharpens the flavours and prevents the cocktail from tasting overly sweet.
• Vanilla bean: Fresh vanilla seeds add warmth and depth, giving the drink its dessert-like quality.
• Lemon slices: Used for garnish, they enhance aroma and reinforce the citrus notes.
• Fresh mint: Optional but recommended for a light, refreshing contrast to the floral elements.
• Ice cubes: Essential for chilling and achieving the right balance and dilution.

If you do not have rose syrup or no rose petals are available, I think you can use a little of rose water instead along with a tad of simple syrup or honey. While I have not tested this method, I believe it would work just fine.

More Empress 1908 Gin Cocktails

• nLavender Rose Empress 1908
• Vanilla Empress 1908 Cocktail
• Empress Lavender Lemonade
• Lavender Empress 1908 Cocktail
• Empress 1908 Gin & Tonic

More Rose-Infused Recipes

• Strawberry Rose Milkshake (With Rose Petal Jam)
• Strawberry Rose Trifle (With Rose Jam)
• Rose Jelly (Fresh Rose Petal Jelly)
• Rose Jam Goat Cheese (With Rose Petal Jam)

I hope you like this Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail (With Empress 1908 Indigo Gin), and you will give it a try soon. If you make it, let me know in this post or send me an Instagram message or share you photos adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers to the weekend!

Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

This Vanilla Rose Gin Cocktail blends floral rose, smooth vanilla, and Empress 1908 gin into a softly sweet, dessert-style cocktail.

Course: CocktailsCuisine: Author’s RecipesDifficulty: Easy

5.0 from 2 votes

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Servings

2

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

• 1 oz. (30 ml) Empress 1908 gin

• 1 oz. (30 ml) Limoncello

• 1/2 to 1 oz. (15-30 ml) rose syrup

• a little of fresh lemon juice – adjust to desired sourness

• 1/4 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped

• few lemon slices, for garnish

• fresh mint, for garnish

• a handful of ice cubes

Directions

• In the shaker, combine the Empress 1908 Gin, Limoncello, rose syrup, vanilla seeds, lemon juice, and ice and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Try and adjust the flavour by adding more gin, syrup, or lemon juice if desired. Filter if desired or serve with the ice (serving with ice will make the drink lighter as the ice melts). Garnish as desired (e.g., mint, lemon) and enjoy!