The Violet Hour 💜: A Grapefruit & Gin Dream

Some cocktails aren’t just drinks, they’re an experience. That’s exactly what happened when I mixed up this beauty featuring the ever-enchanting Empress 1908 Gin. With its signature indigo hue, this gin is already a showstopper, but paired with grapefruit’s citrus brightness, elderflower’s floral kiss, and a touch of French finesse from Lillet Blanc, you get something truly magical in the glass.

• Start with a shaker full of ice

• 2oz Empress 1908 Gin

• 1oz Lillet Blanc

• 0.5oz St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

• 1.5oz Fresh Grapefruit Juice

• 0.75oz Simple Syrup

• 2 dashes Orange Bitters

• Shake and strain into a glass and enjoy!

🍊 Why It Works:

This drink is all about balance. The grapefruit juice adds tangy brightness, Lillet brings soft herbal-citrus notes, and St-Germain layers in delicate sweetness. The Empress gin ties it all together with its botanical depth (and that gorgeous purple color), while the orange bitters round things out with subtle warmth.

🌸 The Vibe:

If a Parisian café had a rooftop garden overlooking a summer sunset, this would be the cocktail they’d serve. It’s refined but playful, floral yet refreshing: a perfect sipper for happy hour, brunch, or those nights you want something a little more enchanting in your glass.