This Vanilla Rose Empress 1908 Cocktail is light, fruity, and luscious – perfect drink on a hot summer day. If you like moderately sweet (or sweet and sour) dessert-like cocktails, you will like this creation then.
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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.
Vanilla Rose Empress 1908 Cocktail
Besides Empress 1908 Gin, you will need for this cocktail limoncello, rose syrup, vanilla bean, and fresh lemon juice. And ice, naturally. As I love lighter versions, I tend to serve cocktails on the rocks. The ice will be gradually melting diluting the drink even further. If you prefer a stronger drink, just remove ice before serving.
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
Lavender Empress 1908 Cocktail
I hope you like this Vanilla Rose Empress 1908 Cocktail, 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 Empress 1908 Cocktail
Course: DrinksDifficulty: Easy2
servings5
minutesThis Vanilla Rose Empress 1908 Cocktail is light, fruity, and luscious dessert-like drink that would be perfect on a hot summer day.
Ingredients
1 oz. Empress 1908 gin
1 oz. Limoncello
1/2 to 1 oz. 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!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
I’m with Mimi, you photos are always so beautiful, so artfully crafted with stunning color. This drink is also beautiful! :-) ~Valentina
Valentina recently posted…Strawberry Swirl Ice Cream
Thank you Valentina! :)
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Blackberry Daiquiri
What a fun and vibrant cocktail for the summer months! We often keep a bottle of Empress 1908 around as it is a fun alcohol to use in drinks. I love that you added Limoncello to this one, too! Perfect summer drink…esp on these very hot days we’re having here right now. 33°C today…
David @ Spiced recently posted…Grilled Twice Baked Potatoes
17 / 20 °C today for us. Some may say it’s too fresh for summer, but I will take it is PERFECT! :)
Thank you David!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Grilled Vegetable Salad
Looking forward to mixing this up for a relaxing summer evening.
Raymund recently posted…Grass Jelly, Taro Balls and Sweet Potato Balls in Warm Soya Milk
Thank you Raymund!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Grilled Vegetable Salad
I love the color of this cocktail! And I really have to try the Empress gin… it’s been on my list to try for years.
Thank you Michelle!
I’ve actually just checked today – besides Indigo they are now have few other exciting flavours like rose and elderflower.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lavender Gin Silver Fizz
I absolutely love the colour of this drink, and I am making rose syrup this weekend if all goes to plan :)
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Greek Salt
I hope you enjoy it!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lavender Gin Silver Fizz
Such a pretty cocktail and would be greatly appreciated with the heat wave we are having. I’m with you regarding the heat and tolerable temperatures although I can’t really tolerate extreme cold either!
Thank you Eva!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lavender Gin Silver Fizz
Ben, you could never visit Florida in the summer, way too warm for you. I have a friend who just discovered Empress 1908 gin and I’m sure he would enjoy trying your cocktail.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…The Best Time To Visit Maine
Yeah, Florid is not for me – probably even in winter LOL
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lavender Gin Silver Fizz
this looks so beautiful and sounds delicious. If only I still drank !
cheers
sherry
Thank you Sherry!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lavender Gin Silver Fizz
This looks so beautiful and the flavour sounds really intriguing.
angiesrecipes recently posted…Super Seedy Vanilla Bars
Thank you Angie!
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lavender Gin Silver Fizz
Are you in the fashion business?! You’re so amazingly good with colors and fabrics. I just love your photos. This drink is incredible.
Haha, nope, I am not. But I’ve spent a lot of money on fabrics and other props lol
Ben | Havocinthekitchen recently posted…Lavender Gin Silver Fizz