If you like classic cocktails with a twist, you might enjoy the Empress Gin Cauldron Cooler. This drink uses Empress 1908 Gin from Victoria Distillers, which is known for its rich color and smooth taste.
The Cauldron Cooler is bright and refreshing, perfect for any highball glass.
I want to share my easy mixologist steps for making this cocktail at home, so you can enjoy a unique drink with simple ingredients. It’s great for anyone wanting something fun and different—plus, it looks fantastic and isn’t hard to make.
Empress Gin Cauldron Cooler Cocktail Recipe
This drink is bright, colorful, and a fun way to show off Empress Gin’s unique flavor and color. I use simple equipment and easy-to-find ingredients, so it’s perfect for home bartenders who want something special but not complicated.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker—I love a classic shaker for mixing everything smoothly.
- Jigger or measuring spoons—A jigger helps me measure the right amount of gin, juice, and syrup.
- Strainer—If I use fresh fruit or muddled herbs, a strainer keeps chunks out of the glass.
- Bar spoon—For stirring and layering, a long-handled spoon makes it easy.
- Highball or large glass—I pick a tall glass to show off the beautiful layers and colors in this cocktail.
- Ice—I use plenty of ice to keep the drink cold and crisp.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin—This gin is famous for its natural indigo color from butterfly pea blossom.
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice—Freshly squeezed juice gives the best sour punch.
- 1 oz simple syrup or honey lavender simple syrup—I choose depending on my mood; lavender adds a floral twist.
- 3 oz tonic water or sparkling water—Both give fizz; tonic adds a hint of bitterness, while sparkling water is softer.
- Blueberries or lychee (optional)—I sometimes add a few for garnish and a pop of texture.
- Fresh mint leaves—These make the cocktail refreshing and more colorful.
- Ice—Enough to fill my glass completely.
- Grapefruit juice or cranberry juice (optional)—I like adding a splash if I want a fruity touch.
Instructions
- Add a large handful of ice to the shaker.
- Pour in Empress 1908 Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup (or honey lavender simple syrup).
- Shake for about 10–15 seconds so the mix is cold and blended well.
- Fill a tall glass with fresh ice.
- Strain the shaken mix into the glass over ice.
- Gently top with tonic water or sparkling water; pour slowly to create layers.
- For extra color, add a splash of cranberry juice or grapefruit juice now.
- Garnish with mint leaves, a few blueberries or a lychee.
Notes
I like using Empress 1908 Gin because its butterfly pea flower color changes with acid, turning from blue to lavender when mixed with lemon juice.
Honey lavender simple syrup brings a floral note, but a plain simple syrup works just as well.
If I don’t have tonic water, sparkling wine or champagne gives this cocktail a special occasion feel.
Sometimes I skip the fruit juices for a cleaner taste, or I add just a dash for extra flavor.
Mint and blueberries make great garnishes, but a lemon wheel looks nice too.
Using fresh ice is important so the drink doesn’t taste flat.
I sometimes make a batch of these for a group by doubling everything and serving in a pitcher with lots of fruit and mint on top.
Equipment
- Tall Collins glass
- Fine mesh strainer (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup or pumpkin spice syrup
- 1/4 tsp pumpkin spice
- 2 oz soda water or tonic water
- Ice cubes for shaking and serving
- Lemon slice or peel for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice.
- Add Empress Gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and pumpkin spice.
- Shake for about 15 seconds, until well chilled.
- Strain into a tall Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a lemon slice or peel.
- Serve immediately while fizzy and fresh.
Tasting Notes
When I take a sip of the Empress Gin Cauldron Cooler, the first thing I notice is its beautiful color. The drink has a lovely purple hue, much like other purple cocktails made with Empress Gin.
The taste is bright and refreshing. I find a gentle tartness that reminds me of a classic empress gin sour.
There’s a bit of sweetness, but it never feels too strong. The citrus flavors pop up right away, mixing with the floral notes of the gin.
Sometimes, I catch hints of violet, almost like a peach violet empress gin sour, but softer.
Here’s a quick list of what I taste:
- Fresh citrus
- Light floral gin notes
- Mild tartness
- Soft sweetness
The sparkling part adds a crisp, fizzy finish that makes every sip more refreshing.
If I compare it to a sparkling indigo martini or an empress gin and lychee gimlet cocktail, this one is lighter and simpler.
I enjoy drinking this on a warm day. It’s easy to make and perfect for relaxing outside.
Must Have Ingredients
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Oranfit Dried Orange Slices For Garnish | Buy On Amazon |
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Portland Syrups Pumpkin Spice Syrup | Buy On Amazon |
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Professional Drink Mixer Set for Beginners | Buy On Amazon |
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Cocktail Ice Mold With Easy Fill and Release Silicone Round Ice Ball Maker | Buy On Amazon |
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Stainless Steel Bar Tool For Making Garnish for Cocktails & Mocktails | Buy On Amazon |
Substitute
Sometimes I just run out of Empress Gin or other things when I’m making the Cauldron Cooler. No big deal—I’ve got a few swaps that keep the drink tasty and, honestly, still pretty fun.
Gin Substitutes:
- Regular gin: You’ll lose the color change, but the flavor’s still solid.
- Blue Curacao: If you’re feeling like a blue twist instead.
- Gin and tonic: Try tonic instead of soda for a different kind of fizz.
Vermouth Options:
- Dry vermouth: Crisp and a bit sharp, if that’s your thing.
- Sweet vermouth: Turns the drink richer and sweeter.
- No vermouth: Just skip it for a lighter vibe.
Replacing Egg White:
- Aquafaba: That chickpea can liquid—good for foam, surprisingly.
- Skip it: Or just leave it out, and you’ll get a clear drink.
Swapping Liqueurs and Bubbles:
- Maraschino liqueur or Luxardo Bitter Bianco: If you want more complex flavor.
- Campari: Adds a bitter edge and a punch of red color.
- Prosecco: Use this instead of soda for some bubbly action.
Other Cocktail Mash-ups:
- Creme de Violette: Floral, purple, and a little mysterious.
- Moscow mule ingredients (ginger beer and lime): If you’re after something spicy and zesty.
- Empress gin martini or gin sidecar: Borrow a recipe or mash ’em up for a twist.
Ingredients
- Just grab whatever you have from the list above or in your kitchen.
Equipment
- Standard cocktail shaker
- Measuring jigger
- Strainer
- Whatever glass you like
Instructions
