The Violet Vixen Cocktail

Gin, Tequila, and Bourbon are my top three favorite spirits. If you give our home bar a quick perusal, you’ll quickly see that gin holds the top spot just by the sheer number of different gins we have in stock (six right now!). That also reflects Laurie’s love for gin, so it’s not just me! All that means I’m constantly looking to create and craft new gin-based cocktails – here’s my latest and greatest one!

The Violet Vixen Cocktail

There are so many different gins out there, it’s difficult to choose when I’m out stocking our bar. We have our favorites which are always on-hand – they include No. 3 London Dry Gin, Brooklyn Gin, Highclere Castle Gin, Aviation Gin, Roku Japanese Gin, and The Botanist Islay Dry Gin. But we also love trying new and different gins, so in addition to our favorites, we also have at least one or two new gins in our bar to explore. 

Recently, I ran across an article in Wine Spectator Magazine that showcased some unique gins in specialty cocktails. One of those was Empress 1908 Indigo Gin which I had seen at the liquor store but never really considered buying because I thought it was just a silly fad gin due to its bright violet color. The article sang the gin’s praises, noting it’s beautiful color of course, but also its amazingly unique flavor profile and how it was the perfect gin for more simple cocktails that showcase particular liqueurs.

Empress 1908 Indigo Gin

So, I went out and bought a bottle to play with, and it didn’t disappoint! First, the color. It’s a stunning and vibrant bright purple, courtesy of the butterfly pea flower that’s used to color it. But I was actually blown away by the flavor profile of this gin. It was smooth and light, with a slightly sweet citrus and floral taste and soft finish. It was one of the lightest and flavorful gins I have ever tasted, and completely unique!

I immediately began to think through some different ideas for a cocktail based on this lovely gin which would showcase its beautiful color. First, I decided to up the gin content of the drink a bit to ensure it wasn’t lost in the cocktail given how soft and subtle it was. I also decided to showcase the Chambord liquor, which is a classic raspberry-based liqueur produced in the Loire Valley of France. It’s assertive, and also bright red/purple in color. Then I added citrus notes with a bit of Curacao (which is a liqueur flavored with the dried peel of the bitter orange laraha, a citrus fruit grown on the Dutch island of Curaçao) and a bit of fresh lime juice as well. The Chambord added some sweetness, while the Curacao and lime juice tempered the sweetness with a hit of acidity that balanced out the cocktail.

The result was a visually beautiful drink that is light, refreshing, and smooth. This is the perfect cocktail for any season! Enjoy with a nice fruit and cheese plate and a good book! Cheers, and enjoy!!

The Violet Vixen (makes 1 cocktail)

2.5 oz. Empress 190 Indigo Gin

2 oz. Chambord

1 oz. Curacao

0.5 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice

Lime wedge or wheel for garnish

Combine the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.