Recipes
5 Summer Cocktails to Enjoy this Weekend
Slip into the long weekend with a refreshing patio sipper!
The long weekend is here soon and with the summer sun shining down on us, we think it’s time to kick back with a cocktail! Whether you’re enjoying it with loved ones or chilling on the deck in solitude, these refreshments will definitely hit the spot. With light and crisp flavours, you’ll be sure to find the option that’s calling for your name!
READY TO GET STARTED? JUMP TO THE RECIPES:
1. Watermelon Sugar
One of our summer staples, this sip will surely quench your thirst on a sweltering day by combining crisp watermelon, lime, and basil. Such a delightful mix of fruits and herbs!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- ¾ oz Simple Syrup
- ¾ oz Lime Juice
- 3 Watermelon Cubes
- 5-6 Basil Leaves
Method
Shake the ingredients vigorously on ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass over ice. Garnish with a watermelon slice & basil leaf.
2. Floradora — @afullliving
This early 20th century classic combines fresh raspberries and spicy ginger beer for a wonderfully light highball that you need on a hot day. Our friends at @afullliving elevate this further with a fun floral twist in their ice and garnish for soft layers of flavour!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1 oz Raspberry Syrup
- 2½ oz Ginger Beer
- Floral Ice Cubes (optional)
- Edible Flowers, Chamomile, & Lime Wheel, to garnish
Method
Add Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, lime juice, and raspberry syrup to a mixing glass or cocktail shaker with ice and mix or shake to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass over ice, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with edible flower petals, chamomile, and a lime wheel. Enjoy!
3. Strawberry Chamomile Gin Daisy — @foodie_renee
Next, we have this stunner of a sip that combines soft and subtly herbal chamomile with juicy strawberries that personifies summer sunsets in a glass. If you’re seeking out those botanical vibes to elevate your outdoor experience, look no further than the strawberry chamomile gin daisy!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Chamomile Syrup
- ¼ cup Fresh Lemon Juice
- 3 Fresh Strawberries, plus more for garnish
Method
Add chamomile and strawberries into a shaker. Smash it to purée. Add ice, gin and lemon juice. Shake to mix well. Strain into a glass.
4. Empress Southside
We all like mojitos, but what if it had gin? While the historic origins of this cocktail are dubious, we know for sure that the refreshing combo of mint and lime lengthened with soda water makes this an absolute must to have in hand out on the patio!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- ¾ oz Simple Syrup
- 5-6 Mint Leaves
- Soda Water, to top
Method
Shake the gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves on ice. Strain into a chilled collins glass on fresh ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a mint spring and premium cherry.
5. Grapefruit Highball — @marikacucuzzaphotography
Last but not least, this highball boasts an incredible burst of citrus from grapefruit to highlight our botanical recipe, as well as zesty and floral notes from passion fruit – one of our favourite fruits for summer! Made for easy sipping, this will definitely be in our hands while we bask in the sun.
Ingredients
- 70ml Empress 1908 Indigo Gin
- 70ml Fresh Grapefruit Juice
- 15ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 15ml Passion Fruit Syrup
- 80ml Soda Water
Method
Add Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, passion fruit syrup, fresh lime juice and fresh grapefruit juice with ice to a shaker and shake well. Strain into a Highball glass with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with daisy flower ice cubes, a grapefruit slice, and fresh mint.
Whether you end up making one of these recipes or even all for a backyard party, we hope you share your reshakes on Instagram and tag us @empress1908gin with the hashtag #EmpressGin! If you’d like some further ideas, check out last week’s article where we featured this year’s garden party cocktails made by our creator friends!
For more cocktail inspiration, check out our Instagram, Cocktail Page, or Blog!
Sip responsibly!