Virtual happy hours are a new way to socialize and stay connected with friends and family. But what cocktails do you make for virtual happy hour to pretend you’re at a bar? Gin cocktails are super popular now especially Empress Negroni. So, I have curated a list of the Top 5 Gin Cocktails to Make at Your Next Virtual Happy Hour with my favorite gin Empress to celebrate gin o’clock in style. Let’s start with my favorite cocktail: Negroni.
These gin cocktails are made with my favorite gin Empress 1908. They are easy recipes for beginners including Empress Negroni. You will love these colorful gin cocktails since they’re so intriguing and Instagrammable. The gin cocktail recipes are a creative twist on the classic cocktail recipes. I substitute some classic ingredients for “healthier” ones like Manuka honey instead of Simple Syrup and kombucha instead of champagne. Since I’m health-conscious, I like to make “healthy” cocktails. Is that even possible? I don’t know. You be the judge.
Why I choose Empress 1908 Gin? The cool natural blue color and the flavor of the 8 botanicals in it will make everyone think you’ve mastered the craft of cocktails. It is what I consider a “healthier” alcoholic because of its main ingredients. The 8 botanicals are Jupiter, grapefruit peels, coriander, rose petal, cinnamon bark, ginger root, butterfly pea blossom & Empress blend tea. The butterfly pea blossom adds the all-natural indigo hue with a stunning secret to reveal: it transforms from vivid indigo blue to a delicate soft pink with the addition of tonic. It is a sure hit at your next virtual happy hour party.
If you want to build anything – even a cocktail- you will need the right tools. Here’s a rundown of the necessary tools:
For more cocktail recipes, check 5 Refreshing Cocktails for Spring and the easiest way to order spirits.
Top 5 Gin Cocktails to Make at Your Next Virtual Party
EMPRESS NEGRONI
A Negroni a day keeps the doctor away … Isn’t that how the saying goes? That’s what Except Empress 1908 says anyway. The Empress Negroni is super colorful and it my favorite Empress gin cocktail. The professional bartender wouldn’t only add a grapefruit twist to top of the glass of the classic cocktail but if you want more citrus flavor or in a rush, just drop it into the glass. Nothing about these recipes is classic.
- Total Time: 5
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: Gin
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 3/4 oz Luxardo Bitter Bianco
- 3/4 oz dry vermouth
Instructions
Stir on ice. Strain into a glass with ice cubes. Garnish with a grapefruit twist or just grapefruit piece.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 200
Keywords: Gin Cocktail
GIN SPRITZ
Move over Aperol Spritz, this Gin Spritz is much more vibrant and fablous. The Empress Gin Spritz is the perfect easy cocktail.
- Total Time: 5
- Category: Cocktails
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 small lemon juiced
- 1/2 tsp honey
- rosemary sprigs
- Perrier water (to top)
Instructions
Stir the gin, honey, and lemon juice. Top with Perrier water or soda water. Garnish with rosemary and/or lemon.
Keywords: Gin Cocktails
GIN CUCUMBER
This is a twist on cucumber gin martini. It’s a breezy mix of cucumbers, gin, ginger and lemon juice. This gin cocktial is a light and refreshing take on a classic cocktail.
- Total Time: 5
- Category: Cocktails
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz cucumber juice
- 0.5 oz ginger simple syrup
- 1 oz lemon juice
Instructions
Shake all ingredients but the gin on ice. Strain into a glass. Float Empress 1908 Gin on top and garnish with a cucumber or lemon.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
Keywords: Gin Cocktails
GIN MARTINI
The martini is the best known cocktail. Should a martini be vodka or gin? Well, at any classic bad, they will serve a gin martini. Since gin goes better with vermouth.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
- 1 oz vermouth
- grapefruit
Instructions
Stir on ice, strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
Los Angeles 75
A creative twist on the classic French 75, which is traditionally made from gin, champagne, lemon juice and sugar.
Ingredients
2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
1 oz Lemon Juice
0.5 Simple Syrup or manuka honey (diluted)
Kombucha (I used Health Aide)
Instructions
Combine the gin, syrup and lemon jucie in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake. Strain into a chilled champagne glass. Top with kombucha.
For More Quarantine Content:
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What’s your favorite gin cocktail?
With gratitude,
Liz
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Can’t wait to try these recipes!