Grapefruit gin cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin and Crème de Violette

Looking for an elegant grapefruit gin cocktail that’s refreshing, floral, and surprisingly easy to make? This version combines Empress 1908 Gin, Crème de Violette, fresh grapefruit juice, honey, and club soda for a beautiful summer cocktail that’s vibrant in both colour and flavour.

Jump to Recipe

Hey, folks – I hope you all are doing well!

Canada Day is just around the corner (well, in fact, tomorrow), so it feels like the perfect excuse to share another colourful cocktail. After all, it’s hard to resist the naturally purple hue of Empress 1908 Gin – especially when paired with bright grapefruit and delicate violet for a refreshing drink that’s as elegant as it is easy to make. So, let’s dive into this beautiful purple cocktail with Empress 1908 gin, crème de violette, and grapefruit.

Why You’ll Love This Grapefruit Gin Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin and Violet Liqueur

Whether you’re already a fan of grapefruit cocktails or simply looking for a refreshing summer gin drink, this recipe is a wonderful balance of bright citrus, delicate florals, and botanical complexity.

Beautifully balanced. Fresh grapefruit provides gentle bitterness and vibrant citrus notes, while honey softens the edges without making the cocktail overly sweet.
Elegant floral character. A small amount of Crème de Violette adds subtle floral aroma and complements the botanicals in the gin rather than overpowering them.
Naturally colourful. Empress 1908 Gin gives the cocktail its beautiful purple hue, making it an impressive drink for entertaining.
Light and refreshing. Finished with club soda, this grapefruit gin cocktail is crisp, bubbly, and perfect for warm summer afternoons or patio evenings.
Easy to customize. Prefer it drier, sweeter, more floral, or stronger? This cocktail is incredibly forgiving and can easily be adjusted to suit your taste.
Simple ingredients. Despite its sophisticated appearance, you’ll only need a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to make it.

What Makes This Grapefruit Gin Cocktail Different?

There are plenty of grapefruit gin cocktails, but this version has a more refined personality. Rather than relying solely on citrus and botanicals, it layers subtle floral notes and gentle sweetness to create a cocktail that feels elegant without becoming complicated.

Fresh grapefruit takes centre stage. Its bright citrus flavour and pleasant bitterness create a refreshing backbone while allowing the gin to remain the star.
Crème de Violette adds sophistication. Instead of dominating the drink, it contributes delicate floral aromas and a soft violet finish that lingers pleasantly after each sip.
Honey creates a smoother balance. Compared to simple syrup, honey adds a subtle richness that pairs naturally with both grapefruit and violet.
Empress 1908 Gin enhances both flavour and appearance. Its botanical profile complements the grapefruit beautifully, while its naturally purple colour turns an everyday highball into an eye-catching cocktail.
The flavours remain crisp and refreshing. Club soda keeps everything light, making this an excellent summer cocktail rather than a heavy, spirit-forward drink.

Flavour Profile

Expect bright grapefruit on the first sip, followed by classic gin botanicals, a gentle floral hint from the violet liqueur, and a soft touch of honey that rounds everything out. The finish is clean, refreshing, and lightly bubbly, with just enough floral character to make the cocktail memorable without tasting perfumed.

What Are Empress 1908 Gin and Crème de Violette?

Although neither ingredient is strictly necessary to make a delicious grapefruit gin cocktail, together they create a drink that’s more refined, colourful, and aromatic. Both have distinctive personalities, yet they complement each other surprisingly well.

Empress 1908 Gin

Originally created in Victoria, British Columbia, Empress 1908 Gin is best known for its striking natural indigo colour, which comes from butterfly pea blossom. Citrus changes the pH of the gin, transforming it from deep blue-purple to beautiful shades of violet and pink as the cocktail comes together.

Beyond its appearance, it’s an excellent gin for citrus cocktails thanks to its balanced botanical profile.

Naturally colourful. The signature purple hue creates a stunning cocktail without artificial colouring.
Bright botanical flavour. Juniper is complemented by citrus, floral notes, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, and other carefully balanced botanicals.
Made for citrus cocktails. Fresh grapefruit and lemon highlight the gin’s floral and citrus characteristics particularly well.
Perfect for entertaining. Its colour alone makes even simple cocktails feel a little more special.

Crème de Violette

Crème de Violette is a classic French floral liqueur flavoured with violet flowers. Although often associated with the famous Aviation cocktail, it’s surprisingly versatile and pairs beautifully with citrus, berries, stone fruit, sparkling wine, coffee, and even desserts.

A little goes a long way.

Delicate floral aroma. It contributes elegant violet notes rather than an overpowering perfume-like flavour.
Naturally complements citrus. Grapefruit, lemon, and orange all balance its floral sweetness beautifully.
Adds depth rather than sweetness. Used in moderation, it enhances the cocktail without masking the gin.
Start small. Begin with a bar spoon, taste, and add a little more if desired. Personally, I enjoy a slightly more pronounced violet flavour than many classic recipes recommend, but it’s easy to adjust to your own preference.

Does Grapefruit Pair Well with Gin?

Absolutely. Grapefruit is one of my favourite citrus fruits to pair with gin because it adds brightness and gentle bitterness while allowing the botanicals to remain front and centre.

Unlike sweeter citrus fruits such as orange, grapefruit gives cocktails a fresher, drier character. Its subtle bitterness also helps balance sweet ingredients like honey or floral liqueurs, creating a more complex and refreshing drink.

Different styles of gin work equally well, although each produces a slightly different result.

London Dry gin creates the most classic, juniper-forward cocktail.
Empress 1908 Gin adds floral botanicals and a beautiful natural colour.
Pink gin contributes subtle berry and fruit notes that soften the grapefruit.
Fruit-forward gins, particularly strawberry or berry styles, create a slightly sweeter, more summery variation.

Because grapefruit has such a bold personality, it can easily stand up to the botanicals in gin without either ingredient overpowering the other.

Purple grapefruit gin cocktail made with Empress 1908 Gin

Does Grapefruit Pair Well with Violet?

It does – and surprisingly well.

At first glance, grapefruit and violet might seem like an unusual combination. In reality, grapefruit’s bright acidity and gentle bitterness help keep violet from becoming overly sweet or perfumed.

The result is a cocktail that feels elegant rather than floral for the sake of being floral.

Grapefruit provides freshness that lifts the violet notes.
Violet softens the citrus without masking its natural brightness.
Honey bridges the flavours, bringing together the floral, citrus, and botanical elements into a smooth, balanced cocktail.
The combination feels refined. Instead of tasting obviously floral, the violet simply adds another subtle layer of aroma and complexity.

This balance is exactly why I enjoy using Crème de Violette in moderation. It shouldn’t dominate the drink – it should simply make you wonder what that beautiful floral note is after the first sip.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Grapefruit Gin Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin and Violet

One of the things I enjoy most about this grapefruit gin cocktail is that it relies on just a handful of quality ingredients. Each one contributes something different, and together they create a drink that’s refreshing, balanced, and surprisingly sophisticated.

Empress 1908 Gin. The star of the cocktail. Its botanical profile and naturally purple colour make this drink both beautiful and flavourful.
Fresh grapefruit juice. Always use freshly squeezed grapefruit if possible. It has a brighter flavour, better acidity, and just enough natural bitterness to keep the cocktail refreshing.
Fresh lemon juice. A small amount brightens the cocktail and helps balance both the honey and the floral notes.
Crème de Violette. Just a bar spoon to ¼ ounce is enough to add delicate violet aroma and extra complexity. Start with less—you can always add a little more.
Honey syrup. I prefer a simple 1:1 honey syrup because it adds a gentle floral sweetness that pairs naturally with both grapefruit and gin. Simple syrup, agave syrup, or another liquid sweetener can also be used.
Club soda. Adds lightness and sparkle without competing with the other flavours. I find it gives the cleanest finish.
Ice. Plenty of fresh ice keeps the cocktail crisp and properly chilled while minimizing dilution.

Can I Make This Grapefruit Cocktail Without Empress 1908 Gin?

Absolutely. While Empress 1908 Gin gives this cocktail its signature colour and beautifully complements the grapefruit and violet, the recipe is flexible enough to work with several other styles of gin.

London Dry Gin. The closest classic alternative. Expect a more juniper-forward cocktail with slightly less floral character.
Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin. One of my favourite substitutes. Its subtle berry notes work wonderfully with grapefruit and violet while keeping the drink bright and refreshing.
Strawberry gin. Another excellent option if you prefer a fruitier, slightly softer cocktail. Strawberry pairs naturally with both grapefruit and violet.
Citrus-forward gins. Gins with pronounced orange, grapefruit, or lemon botanicals make an excellent match for this recipe.
Modern floral gins. Delicate floral styles also work well, although I’d still use the Crème de Violette sparingly so one floral note doesn’t overwhelm the other.
Heavily herbal or savoury gins. These aren’t my first choice here. Their stronger herbal notes can compete with the grapefruit and violet instead of complementing them.

No matter which gin you choose, the proportions can easily be adjusted to suit its personality. A drier London Dry might benefit from a touch more honey syrup, while a fruit-forward pink or strawberry gin may be perfectly balanced with a little less sweetener.

How to Make a Grapefruit Violet Gin Cocktail

This cocktail comes together in just a few minutes. Simply add the gin, grapefruit juice, lemon juice, Crème de Violette, and honey syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until thoroughly chilled, then strain into an ice-filled highball or Collins glass. Top with club soda and give the cocktail a gentle stir to combine.

The result is a light, refreshing grapefruit gin cocktail with bright citrus, delicate floral notes, and plenty of effervescence – perfect for warm afternoons, summer gatherings, or whenever you’re in the mood for something a little more elegant than an ordinary gin and soda.

Tips for Making This Cocktail Like a Pro

Small details can make a noticeable difference. These simple tips will help you get the most flavour and the best presentation every time.

Use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Fresh juice has brighter citrus flavour and more balanced bitterness than bottled varieties.
Shake well before adding the soda. This properly chills and dilutes the cocktail while keeping the carbonation fresh.
Start with less Crème de Violette. A bar spoon is plenty for many people. Taste before adding more until you find your preferred level of floral flavour.
Taste and adjust. Grapefruits vary in sweetness and bitterness, so don’t hesitate to add a little more honey syrup or an extra squeeze of grapefruit juice.
Use plenty of fresh ice. Large, fresh ice cubes melt more slowly and keep the cocktail crisp without excessive dilution.
Top with club soda last. Adding the soda after shaking preserves its bubbles and keeps the cocktail lively.

floral violet gin cocktail with grapefruit and Empress 1908 gin

Sparkling Water Options for This Grapefruit Gin Cocktail

Although I usually reach for club soda, several sparkling options work well depending on the style of cocktail you’re after.

Club soda (my favourite). Clean, neutral, and refreshing. It lets the grapefruit, gin, and violet remain the focus.
Sparkling mineral water. A slightly softer alternative with gentle minerality that works particularly well if you prefer a drier cocktail.
Still water. If you don’t enjoy carbonation, add a small splash of chilled still water instead. The cocktail will feel a little richer while remaining well balanced.
Tonic water. A delicious alternative if you enjoy a more classic gin-and-tonic style drink. Since tonic already contains sugar, I usually reduce the honey syrup slightly to keep the cocktail from becoming too sweet.

Make It Your Own

One of the reasons I enjoy making cocktails at home is that recipes don’t have to be rigid. Think of the proportions as a starting point rather than a fixed formula. Once you’ve made the cocktail once or twice, it’s easy to adjust it to match your own preferences.

Prefer it sweeter? Add a little more honey syrup or substitute another sweetener such as simple syrup or agave.
Like drier cocktails? Reduce the honey slightly or increase the grapefruit juice for a brighter, more citrus-forward finish.
Love floral flavours? Increase the Crème de Violette a little at a time until the violet is as subtle or as pronounced as you like. I personally enjoy a little more than many classic recipes suggest.
Want a stronger cocktail? Increase the gin slightly, especially if you’re serving it over plenty of ice.
Try another sweetener. Maple syrup, simple syrup, or even elderflower syrup can create interesting variations while keeping the overall balance.
Experiment with herbs and garnishes. Fresh thyme, rosemary, basil, edible flowers, grapefruit peel, or a dehydrated citrus wheel all make beautiful finishing touches.

That’s one of the pleasures of home bartending – small adjustments can completely change a cocktail while still keeping its original character.

Serving and Garnish Suggestions

This grapefruit gin cocktail is elegant enough for celebrations yet simple enough to enjoy on an ordinary summer evening. Its beautiful violet colour makes it especially striking in stemware.

Serve in a coupe glass. My favourite choice. It showcases the cocktail’s rich purple colour and gives it a more refined, modern presentation.
Or serve over ice in a Collins or highball glass. This creates a lighter, longer drink that’s especially refreshing on hot summer days.
If serving on the rocks, increase the gin slightly. Since melting ice gradually dilutes the drink, I often add a little more gin to maintain the flavour balance.
Garnish with grapefruit. A thin grapefruit wheel, half-moon slice, or twist complements both the aroma and presentation.
Add edible flowers. Edible violets or pansies echo the floral notes while making the cocktail look extra special.
Serve immediately. If you’re using club soda, enjoy the cocktail while it’s still lively and bubbly.

More Elegant Gin Cocktails for Summer

If you enjoy this grapefruit gin cocktail with violet liqueur, here are a few more refreshing and floral gin recipes to try throughout the warmer months:

I’d love for you to try this grapefruit and violet cocktail with gin Empress 1908 and crème de violette. 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!

Grapefruit gin cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin and violet liqueur