Midnight Blues
Pair It With
Burrata crostini
Goat cheese with honey
Lavender shortbread cookies
Citrus-marinated olives
A warm evening with good company
Some cocktails are made for sunny afternoons. This one was made for the moment the sun disappears and the sky turns shades of lavender and deep blue.
The Midnight Blues is elegant, floral, and just a little mysterious. Empress 1908 Gin gives the cocktail its signature violet hue, while elderflower and crème de violette add delicate botanical notes that are balanced by bright lemon. It's refreshing without being overly sweet and feels equally at home at a dinner party or on a quiet evening spent on the patio.
Ingredients
2 oz Empress 1908 Gin
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
½ oz crème de violette
½ oz elderflower liqueur (St-Germain)
¼ oz simple syrup (optional, depending on your preferred sweetness)
1 dash orange bitters
Ice
Garnish
Edible violet (or pansy)
Lemon twist
How to Make It
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the Empress Gin, lemon juice, crème de violette, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, and orange bitters.
Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with the edible flower and a lemon twist.
My Tip
Chill your coupe glass in the freezer for 10–15 minutes before serving. The colder the glass, the silkier the cocktail feels, and the vibrant violet color stays crisp a little longer.