Gin Daisy

A Gin Daisy is a classic summer gin cocktail made with gin, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, a sweetener, and sparkling soda. This Empress 1908 Gin Daisy combines London Dry gin, Empress 1908 Gin, grenadine, and club soda to create a refreshing pink gin cocktail that’s elegant, bubbly, and surprisingly easy to make.

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Hey, folks – I hope you are doing well!

Today I’m sharing a colourful modern twist on the classic Gin Daisy. Despite the name, Daisy completely ignored this cocktail (she’s much more interested in supervising photo shoots than taste-testing drinks!) :)

By combining London Dry gin with Empress 1908 Gin, this version keeps the cocktail crisp and refreshing while adding a gorgeous blush-pink colour and a subtle floral touch. So, let’s dive into this gin Daisy cocktail!

Why You’ll Love This Summer Gin Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin

This Gin Daisy recipe takes everything people love about the classic cocktail and gives it a colourful modern twist. It’s simple enough for beginners, impressive enough for guests, and refreshing enough to become one of your favourite summer drinks.

• Beautiful blush colour. Equal parts London Dry and Empress 1908 Gin create an elegant pink gin cocktail with a subtle colour gradient.
• Bright citrus flavour. Fresh lemon juice and orange liqueur such as triple sec or Cointreau keep every sip crisp, vibrant, and refreshing.
• Classic with a modern twist. This Empress 1908 Gin Daisy stays true to the traditional Daisy formula while adding a distinctive botanical character.
• Naturally balanced. Grenadine provides gentle sweetness and a subtle fruity note without overpowering the gin.
• Light and bubbly. Club soda transforms the drink into a sparkling gin cocktail that’s perfect for warm afternoons.
• Quick to prepare. This easy Gin Daisy recipe comes together in only a few minutes using simple ingredients.
• Perfect for entertaining. Whether you’re hosting brunch, relaxing on the deck, or mixing drinks for friends, this refreshing summer gin cocktail always looks impressive.

What Is a Gin Daisy?

The Gin Daisy is one of the oldest classic gin cocktails, yet it’s surprisingly overlooked today. While drinks like the Martini, Negroni, Tom Collins, and Gin Fizz tend to receive most of the attention, the Gin Daisy has quietly remained a favourite for well over a century thanks to its bright citrus flavour, gentle sweetness, and refreshing sparkling finish.

Unlike stronger spirit-forward cocktails, a Gin Daisy is light, approachable, and incredibly refreshing. Fresh lemon juice gives the drink its lively acidity, the sweetener balances the citrus, and club soda creates the crisp finish that makes this one of the most enjoyable sparkling gin cocktails for spring and summer.

If you’re searching for an easy Gin Daisy recipe or wondering what makes this classic cocktail so special, the answer is its beautiful simplicity. With only a handful of ingredients, you can create a refreshing gin cocktail that’s elegant enough for entertaining yet easy enough to enjoy any day of the week.

A Brief History of the Daisy Cocktail

The Daisy family of cocktails dates back to the late nineteenth century, making it one of the oldest recognised cocktail styles. Long before modern craft cocktails became fashionable, bartenders were already combining spirits, fresh citrus juice, sweeteners, and sparkling water to create lighter, more refreshing drinks.

Despite its name, the cocktail isn’t flavoured with daisies. Most historians believe “Daisy” comes from the Old English word dægeseage (“day’s eye”), which later became the name of the flower itself.

Originally, Daisies were made with many different spirits, including brandy, whiskey, rum, tequila, and gin. One ingredient appeared particularly often in historical recipes—grenadine. Long before brightly coloured commercial versions became common, grenadine added subtle fruit flavour, gentle sweetness, and an attractive rosy hue, making it a natural fit for what we’d now call a gin cocktail with grenadine.

Over time, the Gin Daisy became one of the best-known members of the Daisy family and helped inspire numerous sparkling gin cocktails that followed, including drinks many people still enjoy today.

What Makes a Cocktail a Daisy?

Although recipes vary slightly from one bartender to another, every traditional Daisy follows the same basic structure. Understanding these elements makes it easier to recognise the cocktail and experiment with your own variations.

Every classic Gin Daisy includes:

• A base spirit. Gin is the traditional choice, although whiskey, rum, tequila, and brandy versions are equally authentic.
• Orange liqueur. Triple sec, curaçao, or Cointreau contribute depth and complement the citrus.
• Fresh citrus juice. Lemon juice provides the bright acidity that gives a Gin Daisy its refreshing character.
• A sweetener. Traditionally this is often grenadine, although simple syrup, honey syrup, and other fruit syrups also work well depending on the flavour profile you’re after.
• Sparkling soda. Club soda lightens the cocktail, creating the lively finish that separates a Daisy from richer drinks like a Gin Sour.
• Balance. More than anything else, a Gin Daisy is about harmony between botanicals, citrus, sweetness, and bubbles.

This Empress 1908 Gin Daisy follows that classic formula while introducing one modern twist. Instead of relying entirely on Empress Gin, I use equal parts London Dry and Empress 1908 Gin. The result is a refreshing pink gin cocktail with balanced botanicals, vibrant citrus flavour, and just enough floral character to make it distinctive without overwhelming the drink.

How This Gin Daisy Is Different from The Classic Cocktail?

While this recipe stays true to the classic Gin Daisy, I made a few small changes that give it its own personality. The result is a refreshing gin cocktail that’s colourful, balanced, and perfect for anyone looking for a modern take on this historic drink.

• A two-gin blend. Instead of using only one gin, I combine equal parts London Dry gin and Empress 1908 Gin. The London Dry provides crisp juniper notes, while the Empress contributes a gorgeous blush-pink hue and delicate floral botanicals.
• Triple sec for citrus depth. Rather than relying solely on lemon juice and sweetener, this Gin Daisy with Triple Sec gains extra layers of bright orange flavour that complement the botanicals beautifully.
• Grenadine instead of plain syrup. A touch of grenadine adds gentle sweetness, subtle pomegranate flavour, and the rosy colour traditionally associated with many classic Daisy cocktails.
• Light and sparkling. Club soda gives this sparkling gin cocktail a refreshing finish, making it lighter than a Gin Sour while remaining wonderfully flavourful.
• Balanced flavour. Fresh lemon juice keeps the cocktail bright and lively, while the two gins, orange liqueur, and grenadine create a drink that’s citrusy, botanical, lightly fruity, and never overly sweet.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Gin Daisy

It only takes a handful of ingredients to make this refreshing summer gin cocktail with orange liqueur.

• London Dry gin. Provides the classic juniper-forward backbone that keeps the cocktail crisp and balanced.
• Empress 1908 Gin. Adds subtle floral botanicals and creates the beautiful pink colour that makes this Empress Gin cocktail so eye-catching.
• Triple sec. A quality orange liqueur adds bright citrus flavour and ties the ingredients together. Cointreau also works beautifully.
• Fresh lemon juice. Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the brightest flavour.
• Grenadine. Adds sweetness, a hint of pomegranate, and the signature rosy hue of this Gin Daisy with grenadine.
• Club soda. Gives the cocktail its light, bubbly finish.
• Ice. Plenty of ice keeps the cocktail crisp and refreshing.
• Lemon wheel or edible flowers (optional). Simple garnishes that make this pink gin cocktail look even more elegant.

Best Gin for a Gin Daisy Cocktail

One of the great things about a Gin Daisy recipe is that it works well with several styles of gin. Each one creates a slightly different flavour profile, allowing you to customise the cocktail to your own taste.

• London Dry gin. The traditional choice, offering crisp juniper and citrus notes with a clean finish.
• Empress 1908 Gin. Floral, slightly softer, and famous for its natural colour-changing properties.
• Old Tom gin. Slightly sweeter than London Dry, producing a rounder, richer cocktail.
• Plymouth gin. Earthier and smoother, with balanced botanicals that work beautifully in classic gin cocktails.
• Contemporary floral gins. These create softer, more aromatic variations, although they can become quite floral if paired with Empress 1908.

For this recipe, I prefer using equal parts London Dry gin and Empress 1908 Gin. It preserves the classic character of the cocktail while adding just enough floral complexity and colour to create a distinctive modern variation.

What Sweetener Works Best in a Gin Daisy?

Although grenadine is one of the traditional sweeteners for a Gin Daisy, it’s far from the only option. Different sweeteners can subtly change both the flavour and appearance of the cocktail.

• Grenadine. My favourite choice. It adds gentle sweetness, a delicate pomegranate flavour, and the beautiful blush colour that makes this cocktail stand out.
• Simple syrup. The cleanest option if you prefer a more traditional citrus-forward Gin Daisy.
• Honey syrup. Adds floral richness and pairs especially well with Empress 1908 Gin.
• Agave syrup. A smooth, neutral alternative that lets the botanicals shine.
• Maple syrup. An unconventional option that creates a deeper, richer variation better suited to autumn entertaining.

No matter which sweetener you choose, remember that balance is the goal. The sweetness should complement the fresh lemon juice and botanicals rather than overpower them.

Daisy Cocktail Variations

One of the reasons the Gin Daisy has remained popular for more than a century is its versatility. Once you’ve mastered the classic recipe, it’s easy to create your own variations by changing the gin, sweetener, or flavourings.

• Classic Gin Daisy. Skip the Empress 1908 Gin and use all London Dry gin for a more traditional version.
• Full Empress 1908 Gin Daisy. Replace the London Dry with additional Empress 1908 Gin for a bolder floral profile and a more vibrant colour.
• Cherry Gin Daisy. Add a splash of cherry liqueur for subtle stone fruit notes that pair beautifully with the citrus.
• Rose Gin Daisy. Replace some or all of the grenadine with rose syrup for an elegant floral twist.
• Violet Gin Daisy. Add a bar spoon of crème de violette for a fragrant purple-floral variation.
• Grapefruit Gin Daisy. Replace part of the lemon juice with fresh grapefruit juice for a softer citrus flavour.

Expert Tips for the Best Gin Daisy

This easy Gin Daisy recipe only takes a few minutes to prepare, but a few simple techniques will make your cocktail even better.

• Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Fresh juice makes a noticeable difference in flavour compared to bottled lemon juice.
• Choose a good orange liqueur. Triple sec works well, while Cointreau produces an even smoother, more refined cocktail.
• Shake well, then add the soda. Shake the gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and grenadine with ice before topping with club soda. This keeps the bubbles lively.
• Use cold club soda. Chilled soda helps the cocktail stay crisp and refreshing for longer.
• Adjust the sweetness. If your grenadine is especially sweet or tart, simply adjust the amount to suit your taste.
• Serve immediately. Like most sparkling gin cocktails, a Gin Daisy is best enjoyed while it’s cold and bubbly.

How to Make a Gin Daisy

Making a Gin Daisy couldn’t be easier. Simply shake the gin, Empress 1908 Gin, triple sec, fresh lemon juice, and grenadine with ice until thoroughly chilled. Strain into an ice-filled Collins or highball glass, top with club soda, and give the cocktail a gentle stir. Finish with a lemon wheel, edible flowers, or another favourite garnish before serving.

More Gin and Empress 1908 Gin Cocktails

If you enjoyed this Empress 1908 Gin Daisy, here are a few more refreshing gin cocktails to try next:

• Rhubarb Gin Cocktail – An Empress 1908 Gin Daisy
• Cherry Orange Gin Sour
• Lavender Orange Gin Cocktail – Floral, Citrusy, and Refreshing
• Lavender Limoncello Gin Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin
• Cherry Rhubarb Gin Sour – A Bright and Elegant Summer Cocktail
• Lavender Empress 1908 Gin Cocktail – Colour-Changing & Floral
• Rhubarb Violet Sour – A Floral Gin Cocktail with Crème de Violette

I’d love for you to try this cocktail Daisy with gin Empress 1908. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!