This drink is SURE to be a conversation starter at your next event. The combination of Empress 1908 Gin, Lime, and Elderflower Sparkling Water has this as maybe my favorite drink I’ve ever tried. Not only is it absolutely stunning, but the flavors come together to create a lovely, refreshing beverage perfect for sipping on a summer evening. Butterfly pea blossoms added late in the distilling process creates Empress Gin’s signature indigo hue, however, the color will change to a beautiful lavender/fuchsia based on the pH of your mixers.
Serves: 1 Drink – Prepare Time: 5 minutes +/-
INGREDIENTS:
THE LILAC BLOSSOM:
- 2 Ounces Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 Lime, Juiced
- 3/4 Ounce Simple Syrup (I like to make my own, method below)
- 2 Cucumber Slices, Sliced Very Thin
- Elderflower Sparkling Water (I used Fentimans Gently Sparkling Elderflower)
- Ice
- Lilac Blossoms, For Garnish
- Lime Twist, For Garnish
DIRECTIONS:
1.) Fill a shaker halfway with ice and add 1-1/2 ounces Empress Gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Shake well, about 20-30 seconds, or until ice is rounded.
2.) Prepare the glass by thinly slicing 2 cucumber slices. If you have a mandolin, that would work great here. If not, then almost “shave” the slices, just thick enough so they hold together and don’t fall apart when you wrap them around the inside of the glass. Create a lime twist by peeling one whole time around the lime. You’ll be left with a fat piece of rind. Cut in half (longways) and twist.
3.) Line your glass with both cucumber slices (around the side so you can see it once the drink is poured in), and fill halfway with ice. Strain in contents from shaker and top with Elderflower sparkling water. Float 1/2 ounce of Empress gin on top to give the drink a beautiful gradient look. Garnish with a lime twist and lilac blossoms. Enjoy and sip responsibly!
SIMPLE SYRUP:
1.) In a large saucepan, add 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of white granulated sugar. You could use half granulated sugar and half brown sugar, this would give the simple syrup a brownish hue and would lend itself a slight caramel/molasses flavor. For this recipe I simply used white granulated sugar and water.
2.) On medium heat, stir mixture until sugar is fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
3.) If desired, you could make a flavored simple syrup by adding the ingredient into the pot while cooking. For example for mojitos, you could add mint to make mint simple syrup, adding lavender would make a lavender simple syrup, lemon would give your simple syrup a delicious citrusy note.
Dinner w/ the Dugans 