I love making gin cocktails at home, and the Empress Gin Phantom Punch is one of my favorites. This drink stands out for its beautiful color, fun flavors, and how easy it is to make with just a few simple steps.
It’s honestly a great choice if you want something different from the usual gin drinks you might already know.
When I serve a Phantom Punch, people always ask about the ingredients and how to make it themselves. If you enjoy a refreshing drink with a touch of elegance, you’ll want to learn this simple recipe and give it a try.
Empress Gin Phantom Punch Cocktail Recipe
This recipe mixes the rich color and floral notes of Empress 1908 Gin with a bright blend of juices. The drink has a unique look and a soft, refreshing taste that stands out at any gathering.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Strainer
- Jigger or shot glass (for measuring)
- Long spoon (for stirring)
- Highball glass or large punch cup
- Ice cube tray (for fresh ice)
- Small knife and cutting board (for garnishes)
I like to gather everything before I start. Using a shaker helps chill and blend the ingredients well.
My highball glass works best for showing off the drink’s color, but honestly, any large glass is fine.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1.5 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz ginger beer or tonic water (for topping)
- Fresh passion fruit or grapefruit juice (about 0.5 oz, optional)
- 0.5 oz St Germain elderflower liqueur (optional, for a floral twist)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon wheel, cucumber slice, or edible flower for garnish
I try to use fresh juice for the best flavor. Sometimes I swap ginger beer with tonic water for a crisper finish.
The garnish adds a nice look and something sweet to smell while I sip.
Instructions
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add Empress 1908 Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, cranberry juice, and any optional juices or liqueurs.
- Shake the ingredients for about 15 seconds, until the drink is cold.
- Strain the mix into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger beer or tonic water to taste.
- Gently stir with a long spoon just to mix.
- Add a garnish, like a lemon wheel or a flower, on top.
If I’m making a punch for a group, I just multiply the recipe and mix it in a pitcher, using the same steps.
Notes
I use Empress 1908 Gin because its color changes when mixed with citrus juice. The purple turns pink or lavender, making the drink special.
The gin also has botanical flavors that pair well with fruit juices and St Germain. Sometimes I switch cranberry juice for grapefruit or passion fruit juice if I’m feeling like something more tropical.
For a holiday punch, I double the recipe and use a punch bowl, topping with ginger beer just before serving. I avoid shaking the drink with ginger beer or tonic, since they lose fizz.
Fresh garnishes, like cucumber or edible flowers, improve both look and taste. I find honey lavender simple syrup fits if I want a floral touch, like in a honey lavender gin lemonade or a lavender lemonade cocktail.
Equipment
- Jigger or shot glass
- Highball or punch glass
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 1.5 oz cranberry juice
- 1 oz ginger beer or tonic water for topping
- 0.5 oz fresh passion fruit or grapefruit juice optional
- 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur like St-Germain (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Garnish: lemon wheel cucumber slice, or edible flower
Instructions
- Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake for 15 seconds until cold.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger beer or tonic water.
- Stir gently with a long spoon.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel, cucumber slice, or edible flower.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tasting Notes
When I take a sip of the Phantom Punch, the first thing I notice is its bold color. Empress Gin, known as a blue gin made with butterfly pea blossom, starts out deep indigo but changes to pink as citrus is added.
This color-changing gin makes the drink look magical. The aroma is fresh and slightly floral.
I get hints of citrus, a touch of herbal garden notes, and a gentle sweetness.
Here’s what I taste with each sip:
The drink feels balanced. It’s not too sweet, and has a gentle tart finish.
I find it light and refreshing, making it perfect for a garden city cocktail.
| Flavor | Intensity |
|---|---|
| Citrus | Medium |
| Floral | Light |
| Herbal | Medium |
| Sweetness | Low |
| Earthy | Light |
The Phantom Punch is charming to look at, especially when the colors shift from blue to pink. The flavors stay simple and clean, and honestly, the color-changing gin is the star.
Substitute
Sometimes I just don’t have every ingredient for the Phantom Punch. That’s when I start getting creative with quick substitutes.
There are so many ways to whip up a drink that tastes great with whatever’s hanging around in the kitchen. If I’m out of Empress Gin, I’ll grab regular gin instead.
Sure, the color’s different, but honestly, the taste holds up. If I’m missing that gorgeous purple, I’ll toss in a splash of blueberry juice or muddle some blueberries.
For mixers, if tonic water’s nowhere to be found, I’ll reach for club soda, ginger ale, or even lemonade. Each one gives the drink a totally new vibe.
Easy Substitute List:
- Instead of Empress Gin: Any gin works, especially in a gin and tonic or a gin sidecar.
- No lemon juice? Lime juice or orange juice does the trick.
- Missing simple syrup? I just stir some sugar into water. It’s not fancy, but it works.
Sometimes I’m in the mood to shake things up, so I’ll make a blueberry mojito. Swap the gin for rum, throw in blueberries, mint, lime, and soda—done.
If I’m craving something classic, I’ll go for a sidecar cocktail but use gin instead of brandy. That turns it into a gin sidecar, which is tart and super easy to mix.
Substitute Equipment:
- Cocktail shaker: I’ll just use a jar with a tight lid.
- Strainer: A small kitchen sieve or even a spoon gets the job done.
Honestly, with a few swaps like these, I can still enjoy cocktails even if my bar’s running low.
