The holiday table wouldn’t be complete without a beautiful cocktail! This vibrant elderflower gin cocktail is showstopping! It’s made with Empress 1908 gin, Drillaud Elderflower liquor, and 1804 Grand Imperial orange liquor. They blend together for a refreshing orange gin cocktail that is the perfect holiday gin cocktail! We named it the Isabella 1908 because you’ll feel like royalty sipping it!
I partnered with Empress Gin to create this post. While I was compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.
The hint of orange liquor helps this easy gin cocktail to pair perfectly with your holiday meal. Citrus notes go well with festive side dishes like vegan cauliflower mashed potatoes and even with these orange sugar cookies.
Ingredients for an orange gin cocktail
There is nothing better than a cocktail that looks super fancy but really is so easy! I can’t take all the credit here because Empress 1908 gin is the real star of the show! It’s infused with butterfly pea tea which is a deep blue flower. The color is magnificent and will surely be a holiday hit! Here’s what you need:
- Empress 1908 Gin
- Drillaud Elderflower Liquor
- 1804 Grand Imperial Orange Liquor
- Lemon Juice
- Agave
- Star Anise
- Cocktail Shaker
I recommend measuring each ingredient with a jigger because they each have a powerful flavor and it took me quite a few tries to get the perfect ratio. The elderflower will become overpowering so definitely go easy on it! The Isabella 1908 is a delicate, well-balanced, citrus-forward cocktail your guest will be impressed with.
What is butterfly pea tea?
Ok, I first discovered this beautiful tea when I was in Thailand. I brought some back with me and actually made my own drinks with it! So, when I saw that Empress 1908 Gin was infusing their gin with it, I knew I needed to try it! Butterfly pea flower tea comes from Asian blue pea flower. The flower is famous in various Asian countries, such as Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, and India. The tea is known to have many health benefits including anti-aging properties and increasing memory! Rich in natural antioxidants, the butterfly pea plant is said to improve blood circulation and eye health as well as nourish skin and hair, one reason why it is so prevalent in Southeast Asia in both food and beauty products.
The coolest part about butterfly pea tea is that it changes color! It is directly affected by the PH level of the water or liquid it is in. So, this cocktail changes from the deep indigo blue-purple color to a lighter purple with a squirt of lemon juice. It can even change to a bright pink color! But just how does this happen? Well, this little blue flower contains a lot of a blue-violet plant pigment called anthocyanin; the color of this pigment depends on the acidity of its environment. It starts out blue, and slowly changes to purple and then magenta the more acidic its environment.
What does butterfly pea tea taste like?
Butterfly pea tea really doesn’t taste like much, slightly earthy and woody not unlike a mild green tea. Here, however, any subtle flavors it may impart are readily masked by the flavor of gin and liquors in this cocktail. We’re really only using it for the color… although, apparently it’s good for you too. But enough about the butterfly pea tea lets get back to this elderflower gin cocktail!
How to serve an elderflower gin cocktail
I choose to serve this holiday gin cocktail up in pretty crystal glasses. That’s because it’s so beautiful and it deserves to be seen! However you decide to serve it, make sure your glassware is clear so you and your guest can experience the magical color of this gin and elderflower cocktail!
What to serve with the Isabella 1908 cocktail:
- Vegan Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes
- Vegan Orange Sugar Cookies
- Lemon Thumbprint Cookies
Soft orange sugar cookies paired with this easy gin cocktail.
If you make this elderflower gin cocktail recipe let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below or by tagging me on Instagram @flaxandsugar, I love seeing all of your tasty recreations!
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Elderflower Gin Cocktail with Empress 1908 Gin
- Prep Time: 4 min
- Total Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The Isabella 1908 is a holiday gin cocktail is full of citrus flavor, elderflower, and a hint of orange for a well-balanced cocktail fit for royalty. It’s easy to make and will impress your guests with its vibrant color and wonderful flavor!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1/2 oz Drillard Elderflower Liquor
- 1/2 oz 1804 Grand Imperial Orange Liquor
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz Agave
- Star Anise to Garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the Empress 1908 gin into the shaker followed by the Drillard elderflower liquor and the 1804 Grand Imperial orange liquor.
- Add the lemon juice and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
- Strain the cocktail into a glass and garnish with star anise.
- Enjoy-please drink responsibly!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cocktail
- Calories: 180
Keywords: butterfly pea tea, gin cocktail, holiday cocktail, easy cocktail
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