A New Empress Lays Claim to the Gin Throne
by David Klemt
The award-winning Empress 1908 Indigo Gin and Elderflower Rose Gin are welcoming a new addition to the Empress 1908 Gin portfolio, just in time for summer.
Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin is here to take a shot at the gin crown.
Inspired by afternoon tea, Cucumber Lemon pulls the flavor threads tighter, tying the portfolio together. Indigo, the first expression in the Empress 1908 lineup, is a balance between citrus and warm, earthy, herbal tones. This gin also made a splash due to its use of butterfly pea flower, not only imbuing the liquid with an enticing hue but shifting colors when interacting with different mixers.
Released last year, Elderflower Rose plays citrus against rich floral notes. On the palate, this expression also delivers subtle sweetness and spice.
That brings us to Cucumber Lemon. Whereas Indigo can be characterized as herbal and Elderflower Rose is floral, the newest expression is bright and energetic. Citrus is the star here, but cucumber, jasmine, and understated spice ensure the drinking experience is a balanced one.
Below, six cocktail recipes that showcase Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon’s unique flavor profile. Scroll even further to learn more from the press release announcing this new expression’s release.
Cheers!
Cucumber & Tonic
- 2 oz. Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- 3 oz. Premium tonic water
- Thyme sprigs to garnish
- Lemon wheels to garnish
- Cucumber slices to garnish
Fill a copa glass with ice, add Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin and premium tonic water. Garnish with cucumber and lemon slices and thyme sprigs.
Jasmine Sour
- 2 oz. Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- ¾ oz. Fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz. Jasmine syrup
- Egg white
- Dried jasmine blossoms to garnish
Add all ingredients to a shaker tin and dry shake (without ice). Add ice to tin and shake again to chill. Double strain into cocktail glass and garnish with dried jasmine blossoms.
Gherkin Martini
- 2 oz. Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- 0.5 oz. Dry vermouth
- 0.5 oz. Gherkin brine
- Lemon twist to garnish
- Gherkin to garnish
Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Express lemon oils over the cocktail and garnish with a twist and gherkin.
Lemon Spritz
- 1 oz. Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- 1 oz. Limoncello
- 0.5 oz. Lemon juice
- Dry sparkling wine to top
- Soda water to top
- Lemon slice to garnish
In a copa glass filled with ice, add gin, limoncello, and lemon juice, and top with sparkling wine and a splash of soda water. Give a quick stir to combine and garnish with lemon slice.
Little Saigon
- 1.5 oz. Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- ¾ oz. Lemongrass ginger syrup
- ¾ oz. Fresh lime juice
- 2-3 Mint and basil leaves, each
- 3-4 Bird’s eye chili slices (optional)
- Lime yuzu soda to top
- Cilantro sprig to garnish
- Bird’s eye chili to garnish
Gently muddle basil and mint with syrup and lime juice in shaker tin. Add gin and chili slices, and shake over ice. Strain into Collins glass filled with ice, top with soda, and garnish.
Cantaloupe Smash
- 2 oz. Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin
- ¾ oz. Fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz. Simple syrup
- 4 Mint leaves
- 3 Cantaloupe cubes
- Mint sprig to garnish
- Cantaloupe balls to garnish
In a shaker tin, muddle cantaloupe cubes with the liquid ingredients. Add mint leaves and lightly press to express oils. Shake over ice and strain over crushed ice. Garnish with mint sprig and cantaloupe balls.
EMPRESS 1908 GIN RELEASES CUCUMBER LEMON GIN
MAY7, 2024 (VICTORIA, B.C.)–Empress 1908 Gin, the fastest growing and #1 ranked ultra-premium gin in the U.S., today announces the U.S. launch of Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin. This premium, handcrafted gin is produced in small batches and distilled in copper-pot stills by Victoria Distillers, one of Canada’s oldest artisan distilleries.
The refreshing new expression is crafted with eight unique botanicals including juniper berries, lemon, jasmine, star anise, cucumber and fresh lemon zest. Inspired by traditional afternoon tea, Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin boasts lively citrus notes and bursts with extraordinary flavor.
The fusion of vibrant lemon zest and crisp garden cucumber beautifully complement the juniper, a subtle hint of cardamom spice and the delicate aroma of jasmine. Empress Cucumber Lemon Gin elevates the palate with its refined flavors, offering a delicate and refreshing finish.
“We always strive to create balanced, high-quality blends that inspire creativity and offer inviting flavors. Following the overwhelmingly positive reception of our Elderflower Rose Gin last year, we leveraged our Master Distillers’ extensive botanical expertise to introduce our next innovative flavor: Cucumber Lemon,” said Eric Dopkins, CEO and Chairman of Milestone Brands. “We are excited to see Empress Cucumber Lemon Gin support Empress Gin’s mission of creating the most distinctive cocktails.”
This new, ultra-premium expression joins the Empress portfolio ininviting consumers to join the Empress GINeration: The most distinctive gins, making the most distinctive cocktails. Other expressions include Empress 1908 Indigo Gin—the fastest growing and top ultra-premium gin in the U.S.*—and Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin, which climbed to #4 in the ultra-premium gin category within just six months of its release. With the addition of Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin, the Empress portfolio expects to top 250,000 9L cases in North America this year.
Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin is best enjoyed in the signature Cucumber & Tonic cocktail, served with premium tonic water and garnished with a fresh cucumber slice and a lemon wheel to enhance the botanicals in the gin.
Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin is 42.5% ABV and is available nationwide in select retailers for a suggested retail price of $39.99 for a 750ml bottle. For more information on Empress 1908 Gin and its portfolio of products, visit www.empressgin.com and follow on social media @Empress1908Gin.
About Empress 1908 Gin
Handcrafted in small-batch copper-pot stills, the portfolio of award-winning Empress 1908 Gins are made by Victoria Distillers, one of Canada’s oldest small-batch spirits companies located in Victoria, British Columbia. Founded in 2017, the distillery has been recognized for its excellence by New York World Wine & Spirits Competition 2017, World Gin Awards 2018, Canadian Artisan Spirits Awards 2019 and Beverage Dynamics’ Spirits Growth Brand Awards in both 2021 and 2022. The Empress 1908 Gin spirits portfolio is crafted by Master Distiller Phil Lecours and comprises Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin and Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin. Empress 1908 Gin is the perfect combination of exquisite taste, delicate aroma, soft texture, and remarkable presentation that provides the perfect base for a new aesthetic of cocktail creation and enjoyment. Please visit www.empressgin.com for more information.
Empress 1908 Gin is a part of the family of Milestone Brands LLC, a premium spirits company based in Austin, Texas, that was founded in 2016 by two local entrepreneurs and veterans of the beverage and spirits industry, Eric Dopkins, former CEO of Deep Eddy Vodka and Chad Auler, creator of Savvy Vodka and co-founder of Deep Eddy Vodka. As a national spirits supplier, acquirer, innovator and marketer of alcohol beverage brands, Milestone’s portfolio also includes Dulce Vida Spirits, Campo Bravo Tequila, Naranja Orange Liqueur, and American Born Whiskey.
Disclaimer: Neither the author nor KRG Hospitality received compensation, monetary or otherwise, in exchange for this post.
Main image: Kyla Zanardi. Recipe images: Empress 1908 Gin
