I love trying new drinks, especially when they’ve got a fun twist. The Empress Gin Witch’s Garden Cocktail is for anyone who enjoys a colorful and unique cocktail recipe.
This witch’s brew stands out with its bright purple color and fresh flavors.
It’s easy to make at home and honestly looks amazing at any gathering. Each sip feels special—kind of like magic in a glass.
If you want to impress your friends or just crave something different, you’ll want to see how I make this drink.
Empress Gin Witch’s Garden Cocktail Recipe
This cocktail uses Empress 1908 Gin for its bold color and garden-fresh flavor. I mix it with citrus juice, aromatic herbs, and bubbles for a refreshing, almost whimsical drink.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: I use this to mix and chill everything.
- Jigger: Makes measuring liquids quick and easy.
- Strainer: Helps keep ice and herbs out of the glass.
- Highball glass or coupe: Either works, but I like a tall glass for more bubbles.
- Bar spoon: For stirring in tonic or soda without killing the fizz.
- Small knife and cutting board: For prepping citrus and herbs.
- Muddler: Crushes herbs like rosemary to get the oils out.
- Hand juicer: Squeezing fresh lemon or lime is so much easier.
- Ice scoop: Handy for grabbing crushed ice—plus, it just feels right.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress Gin (that gorgeous purple and all those botanicals)
- 3/4 oz simple syrup (for sweetness; I usually make it myself)
- 1/2 oz lemon juice (bright and tangy)
- 1/2 oz lime juice (fresh is best—trust me)
- 2-3 oz tonic water, soda water, ginger ale, or ginger beer (I lean toward tonic, but ginger beer is spicy and fun)
- Crushed ice (chills fast, fills the glass)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary (for that herbal aroma)
- Optional: Edible flowers or cucumber slice for garnish
I try to keep my mixers and gin cold before I start. It just makes everything better.
Instructions
- Drop the rosemary sprig into your shaker and gently muddle to release the oils.
- Add Empress Gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and lime juice.
- Toss in a scoop of crushed ice.
- Shake hard for about 10-15 seconds, until the shaker feels icy cold.
- Strain into a highball or coupe glass filled with more crushed ice.
- Top gently with your choice of tonic, soda, ginger ale, or ginger beer.
- Give it a soft stir with a bar spoon, just enough to mix but not lose all the fizz.
- Garnish with another rosemary sprig, an edible flower, or a cucumber slice if you’re feeling fancy.
Notes
Empress Gin’s color is wild—it shifts from deep purple to pink when you add citrus or tonic. If you want to wow people, edible flowers for garnish are the way to go.
Crushed ice chills the drink super fast—way better than cubes. For a sweeter drink, add a bit more simple syrup. If you want it lighter, swap tonic or ginger ale for plain soda.
Fresh juice makes a huge difference. Store-bought just doesn’t pop the same way. Sometimes I muddle extra rosemary for a punchier herbal note.
Adjust the bubbles to your taste and don’t be afraid to tweak things as you go.
Equipment
- Highball or coupe glass
- Hand juicer
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 –3 oz tonic water soda water, ginger ale, or ginger beer
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary plus extra for garnish
- Crushed ice
- Optional: Edible flowers or cucumber slice for garnish
Instructions
- Add rosemary sprig to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release its oils.
- Strain into a highball or coupe glass filled with more crushed ice.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine without losing fizz.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig, edible flower, or cucumber slice.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, floral vibes.
Tasting Notes
When I take my first sip, the vibrant colors jump out right away. The top layer is this lovely purple from the gin, and underneath, you get hints of yellow and green from the other ingredients.
It honestly looks like a tiny garden in my glass. On the nose, I get fresh herbs and a little citrus.
The gin is flowery, but it doesn’t overpower everything else. There’s also a bit of earthiness from the garnish.
Here’s what I taste as I drink:
- Botanical notes from the gin
- Lemon and herbal flavors
- A touch of sweetness from the syrup
- Soft bubbles if you use tonic or soda
The drink is cool and refreshing. The flavors mix as you sip, so sometimes the gin stands out, and other times, it’s the herbs or fruit.
The finish is light and clean. I’m left with a gentle taste of herbs and citrus.
Honestly, the balance of sweet, tart, and herbal makes this one easy to enjoy.
Substitute
Sometimes I want to make the Witch’s Garden cocktail, but I run out of one or two special ingredients. It happens more than I’d like to admit.
Luckily, there are plenty of easy swaps. No need to panic.
If I don’t have Empress gin:
- I just grab regular gin and add a little butterfly pea flower tea for that purple color.
- Steep about ½ teaspoon of dried butterfly pea flower in hot water for 2–3 minutes, then add it to the gin.
If I’m out of triple sec:
- I’ll swap in blue curaçao for a similar orange flavor, and honestly, the blue tint is kind of fun.
- Cointreau or even orange extract in a pinch—why not?
My favorite ingredient substitutions:
| Original Ingredient | Substitute Ideas |
|---|---|
| Empress Gin | Gin + butterfly pea flower tea |
| Triple Sec | Blue curaçao or Cointreau |
| Lemon Juice | Lime juice |
| Simple Syrup | Honey syrup or agave |
| Pearl Luster Dust | Edible glitter or leave out |
If I want shimmer but have no pearl luster dust, I’ll use edible glitter instead. Or just skip it—no one’s judging.
Instructions for making butterfly pea flower tea:
