Every Halloween, I like to try a new cocktail that feels festive and a little mysterious. This year, I stumbled on the Haunted Negroni made with Empress Gin, and honestly, I couldn’t resist making it for my Halloween party.
This drink’s a showstopper—Empress Gin changes color when you mix it, giving a spooky twist to the classic Negroni.
Empress Gin is inspired by the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Canada. That place is famous for its teas and gorgeous cocktails.
The bright, layered look of the Haunted Negroni really pops at any Halloween get-together. It’s easy to make, looks impressive, and the mix of floral gin and bitters just works.
If you’re throwing a party or just want to shake up your usual drink routine, this recipe is a fun way to celebrate. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make a night feel special.
Empress Gin Haunted Negroni Cocktail Recipe
I make this spooky Negroni with Empress 1908 Gin for that bold color and unique flavor. The butterfly pea flower in the gin adds drama, while classics like Campari and sweet vermouth keep it familiar.
Equipment
- Mixing glass or a shaker
- Bar spoon for stirring
- Measuring jigger—so I don’t mess up the proportions
- Strainer for a neat pour
- Old fashioned glass for serving
- Knife and cutting board if I feel like garnishing with citrus
- Ice cubes—clear, fresh ice is ideal
- Optional: Channel knife for fancy peels, droppers for bitters
Ingredients
- 1 oz (30 ml) Empress 1908 Gin — that’s where the purple-blue hue comes from
- 1 oz (30 ml) Campari — classic bitter liqueur
- 1 oz (30 ml) sweet vermouth — brings a little sweetness
- 1/4 oz lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
- 1/2 oz simple syrup (optional, if you want it a bit sweeter)
- 2 dashes orange bitters — mellow citrus notes
- Ice cubes — plenty for mixing and serving
- Orange or lemon peel — for garnish
- Optional: Edible glitter or a Halloween garnish if you’re feeling extra
Instructions
- Add Empress gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to your mixing glass.
- If you want a sweeter or brighter cocktail, toss in lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Pour in two dashes of orange bitters.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir gently for about 20-30 seconds.
- Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
- Twist an orange or lemon peel over the drink to release the oils, then drop it in.
- For a haunted vibe, sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or add a Halloween-themed garnish.
Notes
I always use Empress 1908 Gin for its natural blue color from butterfly pea flower. When you mix in citrus, the drink shifts color—usually from blue to purple or pink.
That color change is pure magic for Halloween. If I want a sweeter Negroni, I add a splash of simple syrup.
Lemon juice makes it tangier and amps up the color shift. The classic version skips the lemon and syrup, but I like this haunted twist.
Orange bitters round out the flavor and play nice with Campari. Fresh citrus peel for garnish is a must—it really lifts the aroma.
A spooky garnish, like a plastic spider or eyeball candy on a cocktail pick, makes the haunted theme pop at a party.
Equipment
- Measuring jigger
- Knife and cutting board
- Optional: Channel knife, dropper, edible glitter
Ingredients
- 1 oz 30 ml Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz 30 ml Campari
- 1 oz 30 ml sweet vermouth
- 1/4 oz lemon juice optional
- 1/2 oz simple syrup optional
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- Ice cubes for mixing and serving
- Orange or lemon peel for garnish
- Optional: Edible glitter or spooky Halloween garnish
Instructions
- Add Empress Gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass.
- If using, add lemon juice and simple syrup for a brighter or sweeter twist.
- Add 2 dashes of orange bitters.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain into an old fashioned glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a twisted orange or lemon peel.
- Add edible glitter or a spooky garnish for a festive Halloween vibe.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the magical color shift!
Tasting Notes
When I take a sip of the Haunted Negroni, the first thing I notice is that wild indigo hue from the Empress Gin. It’s bold and just a little mysterious in the glass.
I get a mix of botanical flavors right away. There are hints of juniper, rose, and a gentle earthiness from the gin’s botanicals.
The floral notes are soft but definitely there, giving the cocktail a light, fresh feeling. I also pick up citrus notes, mostly orange from the Campari and a subtle lemon zest from the gin.
The flavor profile is both bittersweet and smooth. The botanicals and bitters blend into something pretty interesting.
After a few sips, there’s a dry finish and those botanicals linger. The balance of sweet, bitter, and floral—honestly, it’s what makes this cocktail memorable.
Substitute
Sometimes I don’t have all the original ingredients for the Haunted Negroni. Here are a few ways I swap things out and still end up with a tasty drink.
Equipment
Ingredients
- Empress Gin: If I’m out, I’ll grab another bold, floral gin. Dry gins like Tanqueray or Bombay are solid choices.
- Vermouth: Sweet vermouth’s my go-to, but if I only have dry, I just use a little less.
- Campari: Sometimes I reach for Aperol for a sweeter twist, or any other red bitter I’ve got.
When I’m in the mood for something different, I’ll make a gin sour with the same gin.
- 2 oz gin (any floral gin works)
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- Ice
Instructions
Honestly, I just use what I have at home and enjoy a great spooky drink anyway!
