This Rose Limoncello Gin cocktail features the famous Canadian Empress 1908 Indigo gin, Limoncello, and rose syrup. Sweet, fresh, and floral, this summer cocktail is a must for all lovers of botanical flavours.

Jump to Recipe

Hello, folks! How are you doing? I hope you’re having a great weekend, whether you’re doing something fun or just taking it easy. Regardless, there is always a place for a cocktail (or two). Also, given that both Canada Day and Fourth of July are approaching, I bet you are looking for fun cocktail recipes.

And this Rose Limoncello Gin cocktail perfectly fits the bill. It’s floral, it’s fruity, it’s light, it’s both sweet and tart. In other words, it’s perfect for this summer! (On a side note, can you believe it’s already the end of June?!)

What Is Empress Gin 1908

Empress 1908 Indigo Gin is liquor (disclaimer: not sponsored) produced in British Columbia, Canada. It has a pleasant and complex botanical flavour, including the one coming from Juniper berries, black tea, grapefruit peel, and rose petals. The flavour profile is both earthy and fresh, citrusy, and floral.

It also includes Butterfly pea blossoms that give this gin its distinct indigo colour and which changes its shade depending on the pairing. The hues (i.e., different shades of purple and pink, ranging from light lavender to vibrant fuchsia) vary depending on the pairing ingredients. It works particularly well when mixing with citrus juices and liquors. And it pairs wonderfully with botanical flavours like lavender and rose, too.

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.

There are other flavours produced by the same distillery company such as elderflower and rose, cucumber and lemon, and oaken gin, but unfortunately, they are not available here in Nova Scotia.

Ingredients for Rose Limoncello Empress 1908 Gin Cocktail

Ingredients you will need for this Rose Limoncello Gin cocktail:

Empress 1908 Indigo Gin – works as the base spirit. Empress 1908 Inigo Gin is a spirit distilled in British Columbia, Canada. It contains Butterfly pea blossom that gives Empress 1908 its distinct indigo hue. This deep indigo hue changes to bright lavender, soft pink, or fuchsia, depending on the pairing. Besides Butterfly pea blossom tea, the gin’s distinct flavour profile includes other botanicals such as black tea, juniper berries, grapefruit peel, and rose petals. Indigo gin has a pleasant herbal earthy aroma with a hint of citrus. Any other gin in place of Empress 1908 Indigo works well in this cocktail – with the major difference being the purple hues.
Limoncello – also works as both a modifier and sweetener. It also makes the flavour profile more complex, adding sweetness, tartness, and even a subtle bitterness.
Rose Syrup works as a modifier and sweetener. It also gives the cocktail a beautiful and dramatic colour. If fresh rose petals are not available to make this syrup, dried roses could be an option, although they tend to be less fragrant. And if you don’t have dried rose petals either, you can make a simple sugar syrup infused with a few drops of rose water (not essence). Furthermore, you can completely avoid the syrup part and simply add a few drops of rose water. This option will be perfect for those who prefer less sweet cocktails (Limoncello is already quite sweet.)
Lemon juice – balances out the sweetness of Limoncello and rose syrup, as well as modifies the colour of Empress 1908 Indigo gin.
Ice cubes – for chilling. And you can also serve this cocktail on rocks if you prefer a lighter version. If serving on the rocks, you can also increase the amount of gin, so the melting ice will not affect the flavour too much.
Garnish of your choice for a pretty presentation, optional. I used lemon wedges and fresh mint.

Rose Limoncello Gin Cocktail (with Empress 1908 Indigo Gin)

More Empress 1908 Indigo Gin Cocktails

Looking for more Empress 1908 Indigo Gin cocktail inspirations? Look no further!

More Rose Infused Cocktails

And be sure to check more rose-infused cocktail inspirations:

I hope you like this Rose Limoncello Gin cocktail, and you will try it. If you try it, please let me know in the comment section of this post below, send me an Instagram message, or share your photos by adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!