When I’m craving something a bit different in my cocktail routine, I tend to reach for Empress Gin Black Widow.
This stylish gin cocktail stands out with its bold flavors and eye-catching dark color, giving my homemade drinks a modern twist.
Empress Gin, made in British Columbia, is already famous for its rich indigo color that changes with citrus.
It really makes any cocktail feel special.
I’ve found Empress Gin Black Widow is perfect when I want a drink that looks fancy and actually tastes great.
There are easy recipes anyone can follow, mixing interesting flavors with a simple technique.
If you’re curious about making one at home, I’ll walk you through the equipment, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions.
You’ll be able to mix up your own Empress Gin Black Widow, no sweat.
Empress Gin Black Widow
I love making the Empress Gin Black Widow because it’s visually stunning and packs a ton of flavor.
This cocktail blends the unique color and botanicals of Empress 1908 Gin with the brightness of lemon and the sweetness of blackberries.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Muddler
- Fine mesh sieve (for extra smoothness)
- Chilled cocktail glass
- Bar spoon for mixing
- Small plate (for rimming glass with sugar, if desired)
- Knife and cutting board (to slice lemon or garnish)
Having clean bar tools makes everything smoother.
I always use a strong shaker for a good mix, and a fine mesh sieve if I want an even silkier finish.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup or honey lavender simple syrup
- 4-5 fresh blackberries
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 egg white (optional, for foam)
- Ice
- Extra blackberries and a lemon twist for garnish
- Sugar (for glass rim, optional)
Sometimes I swap plain simple syrup with honey lavender for a floral twist.
Fresh blackberries give a deep, rich color and natural sweetness.
Egg white isn’t required, but it creates a creamy top.
Instructions
- Muddle blackberries at the bottom of the shaker until they release juice.
- Add Empress Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and bitters.
- Include egg white if I want foam.
- Dry shake (without ice) for about 20 seconds if using egg white.
- Add ice and shake hard for another 20 seconds.
- Strain through both the shaker strainer and the fine mesh sieve into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with extra blackberries and a twist of lemon.
If I want a sugared rim, I rub lemon around the glass edge and dip in sugar before pouring.
Serving right away keeps the color vivid.
Notes
I use Empress Gin because its natural indigo color from butterfly pea flowers just looks so impressive in the glass.
The lemon juice turns it a bright pinkish-purple as soon as I add it.
If I want extra floral notes, I use honey lavender simple syrup instead of plain.
Egg white makes the drink silky and adds a smooth foam on top.
I skip it if I want a quicker cocktail.
Using fresh blackberries is better than frozen since they give stronger flavor and color.
Equipment
- Fine mesh sieve (optional)
- Chilled cocktail glass
- Knife and cutting board
- Small plate (optional, for sugar rim)
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup or honey lavender simple syrup
- 4 –5 fresh blackberries
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 egg white optional, for foam
- Ice cubes enough for shaking
- Sugar for glass rim, optional
- Extra blackberries for garnish
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Muddle blackberries in the bottom of the cocktail shaker until juicy.
- Dry shake (without ice) for 20 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
- Add ice and shake again for another 20 seconds until well chilled.
- Garnish with a lemon twist and extra blackberries.
Tasting Notes
When I first pour Empress Gin Black Widow into my glass, I notice its deep purple and indigo color.
This vibrant color comes from the butterfly pea blossom in the recipe.
It’s such a unique look that it makes me curious about the flavors inside.
Here are the main botanicals I taste:
- Juniper for a classic gin pine note
- Butterfly pea blossom for a floral touch
- Grapefruit peel adds brightness
- Ginger root brings warmth
- Coriander seed gives a hint of spice
When I take my first sip, I pick up a smooth, floral flavor at the front.
The butterfly pea blossom stands out, but it doesn’t overpower the other botanicals.
The gin has a light, crisp feel with just a little sweetness.
Next, the grapefruit and ginger come through.
They make the flavor profile fresh and lively.
A gentle spice from coriander lingers at the end, mixing smoothly with the other flavors.
To sum up the flavor profile:
| Key Flavor | Description |
|---|---|
| Floral | Soft, from pea blossom |
| Citrusy | Bright, from grapefruit |
| Spicy | Warm, from ginger |
| Herbal | Classic gin botanicals |
Substitute
Sometimes, I just don’t have Empress Gin Black Widow sitting around. No big deal—there are a bunch of ways to swap things and still end up with a great drink.
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
Here’s a quick table of swap ideas:
| Original Ingredient | Substitute Option |
|---|---|
| Empress Gin Black Widow | Floral Gin |
| Tonic Water | Soda Water |
| Champagne | Sparkling Wine |
| Elderflower Liqueur | Dry Vermouth or Aperol |
