r/AskACanadian • u/d_4_abbi_yya • 9d ago
empresses gin
I saw a video where someone made a drink with a gin that changed color, and I got really curious about it. I looked it up and found out it’s called Empress Gin, but unfortunately, it isn’t available in my country. Is it actually good, or is the color-changing thing just a gimmick? I’d really love to try it.
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u/Traditional_Owls 9d ago
It's not Canadian anymore! It's owned by an American company.
I highly recommend Sheringham Seaside Gin which is made on Vancouver Island, BC.
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u/sun4moon 8d ago
I think you and I discussed this a while back. I tried it, and I can confirm it’s delicious. I recommended Ungava from Quebec.
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u/Picklesticks16 8d ago
Nova Scotia's Compass Distillers make their own version called Gin Royale and it's pretty great. Would recommend as a Canadian alternative to Empress!
Ungava is also delicious...
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u/sun4moon 8d ago
I’ve had Gin Royale and found it much less hangover inducing than empress. I would recommend it over Empress any day. Thank you for reminding me. I’m a bit of an enthusiast and love to try all kinds, it’s hard to remember the names of all of them.
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u/eeeeaud 9d ago
It's good gin. I find the flavour to be distinct vs. Bombay Sapphire or Tanqueray (two other common gins). Come to Canada and stay at The Empress Hotel in Victoria (the gin is a collaboration between the hotel and the distillers).
The island has some other great distilleries. For gin, I really like Sheringham.
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u/Lizard-_-Queen 9d ago
It's now owned by an American company unfortunately, but I think it's still made in Sidney, BC. It is good though.
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u/Traditional_Owls 9d ago
This needs to be higher up!
IT'S NOT CANADIAN ANYMORE.
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u/Picklesticks16 8d ago
Nova Scotia's Compass Distillers make their own version called Gin Royale and it's pretty great. Would recommend as a Canadian alternative to Empress!
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u/rants_silently 9d ago
The gin is good. Its dyed with pea flower. I dont drink anymore but when I did I really enjoyed empress.
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u/Abject-Error6109 9d ago
Not a big drinker but when I do, it’s Empress gin with Fever Tree elderflower tonic water and a squeeze of lime - perfection! (and it does change colour)
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u/Panda_Gal_92 9d ago
This is the way to do it!! For the holidays, throw in a sprig of rosemary and some frozen cranberries. Perfect drink for entertaining.
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u/BogeyLowenstein Alberta 8d ago
Oooooh that sounds really good!
I like gin with a little bit of muddled raspberry or blackberry jam. Fruit and gin are perfect together.
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u/Panda_Gal_92 8d ago
That’s sounds good!! I’ll have to try that next time. Jam is genius.
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u/BogeyLowenstein Alberta 8d ago
If you are ever in Southern AB, check out the Eau Claire Distillery in Diamond Valley, that’s where I got the idea from!
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u/jilecsid513 9d ago
Empress is one of my favourite gins, I'd say it's worth getting your hands on if you can. Its very fun to serve this stuff to guests, people love watching the color change and the gin itself is quite good!
Pro tip: the addition of an acidic ingredient, such as lemon juice or tonic water, is what changes the color from rich indigo to a softer purple or pink shade
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u/Neighbuor07 9d ago
Other Canadian distilleries are putting out blue, purple and pink gin. Here in Winnipeg, I buy Patent 5 purple blossom gin.
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u/TheRestForTheWicked 9d ago
A few years ago Burwood out of Calgary put out a holiday edition spiced apple gin with butterfly pea dye. I don’t normally like gin but it was real good.
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u/EmbarrassedEmu469 Ontario 9d ago
I really hate gin but empress gin tastes really good to me. Take that for what you will. Yes it is very good.
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u/MotleyCrafts 9d ago
I'm in the same boat! I generally dislike gin but this one is good.
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u/QueenMotherOfSneezes 9d ago
The peaflowers make it a bit sweeter than standard gins. You might also like Ungava gin for the same reason, the cloudberries add sweetness to it.
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u/MotleyCrafts 9d ago
Oh, that sounds interesting - I'll keep an eye out for it next time I'm at the LCBO, thanks!
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u/professcorporate British Columbia 9d ago
Oh, I....
I drink a lot of gin, normally Gordons or Beefeater. I tried Ungava once, to try something new & support Canadian.... I wouldn't do it again, and 'sweet' is definitely not the word I'd have used.
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u/Joe_Kickass 9d ago
Empress Gin in Victoria BC makes Indigo Gin - https://empressgin.com/spirit/indigo-gin/
In the bottle it is purple as in the photo above, if you add tonic it shifts to a pink hue. I think it is great, your opinion may differ.
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u/Ok-Goal-1695 8d ago
Try purple Royal Gin from Compass Gin! It’s a fantastic distillery in Halifax that is Canadian owned (unlike Empress).
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u/foodandfixinmama 9d ago
Very good gin. And yes it’s fun to mix drinks based on how it changes color with other ingredients such as citric acid makes it purple not indigo.
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u/estherlane 9d ago
I bought some in NS a couple of years ago, it's delicious. Compass Distillers, Gin Royal.
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u/TheNighttman 9d ago
Check your local coffee/tea shop for microground butterfly pea flower, this is where the blue comes from, and what reacts with acid to change colour. Genuine tea makes one.
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u/2stops 9d ago
Love empress gin. Ungava is another colour changing gin (yellow to orange) that also happens to taste good
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u/QueenMotherOfSneezes 9d ago
I've only seen my Ungava change from yellow to straw when you add acid, how do you change it to orange?
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u/lyidaValkris 9d ago
I've seen split opinions on both gins. I actually like both, and not just for the colour. I think I just like gin :D
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u/sun4moon 8d ago
Empress is overpriced and really not that special. I won’t even buy it if it’s on sale. The gimmick isn’t worth the hype. If you want an amazing gin, albeit on that doesn’t change colour, go for Bereksten Gin from Norway. I know it’s not Canadian, but it’s certainly not American.
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u/annoyedCDNthrowaway 9d ago
It's made with a plant called Buttery Pea flower, which creates the indigo colour. The colour change effect is triggered when it is exposed to acid, but that doesn't impact the flavour of the gun. It is an absolutely delicious gin.
On a side note, you can generally get the dried plants on Amazon, etc. if you wanted to try the effect yourself. just know it takes a decent volume and a long steep to get that dark indigo colour.
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u/Any-Wall-5991 9d ago
It's butterfly pea flower that gives the colour changing effect. You can find other gins that use the same ingredient and will also change colour with the addition of a different ph liquid (like lemon juice).
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u/InformedTriangle 9d ago
It's decent gin. You can get non color changing alternatives that are just as good for significantly cheaper. But it's fun to have around for the novelty affect every so often.
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u/grim-old-dog 9d ago
Yes and it’s delicious. I make a basil lemonade with it in the summers and the acid in the lemon turns it from indigo into a lavender purple and it’s a big hit.
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u/wealthyadder 9d ago
It’s the gin I put in my Wife’s Christmas stocking every year. It’s not inexpensive, but she tells me it’s outstanding.
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u/princessedesglaces 9d ago
Not sure if it’s available all across Canada, but in Quebec we have this gin called BleuRoyal that does the same thing as Empress and it’s really good! It changes from blue to purple when you add tonic. I love it!
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u/myinstigator 9d ago
Empress Gin is delicious. There are a few brands that use Pea Flower for colouring but I like Empress the best. (The bar at the Empress Hotel in Victoria makes a Empress Gin lemonade that is to die for)
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u/XanWith2Teas 9d ago
I quite liked Empress Gin. It's unfortunate that it's no longer Canadian owned.
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u/Dogmom_3 9d ago
it is very good and the colour change comes from the addition of pea flowers which react to acids.