We just cannot get enough of this gorgeous gin, if you can't tell. Adapted from the Empress 1908 website, we had to recreate our own garden city cocktail recipe for a few reasons. One, it's delicious. Two, it's Empress gin. Three, it's freaking gorgeous!
Fun fact: this cocktail is named after Victoria, British Columbia, which has the nickname "garden city." Clearly we need to visit Victoria because seeing how pretty this cocktail is, we can only assume the city is beautiful!

Our version of the Garden City Cocktail Recipe
Similar to our Southside Gin cocktail, we put our own spin on the Empress 1908 recipe. We use a full 2 ounces of gin (we promise this gin doesn't taste like other gins), throw in a couple of sprigs of mint when we shake it up, and use jalapeño simple syrup instead of lychee simple syrup.
If you haven't realized by now, we LOVE jalapeño simple syrup. It goes so well in almost any drink and gives cocktails another layer of flavor. Plus, it's so easy to make and we love reusing the candied jalapeños in other dishes! Check out our recipe.
Why we love this cocktail
Beautiful food always has an advantage when it comes to taste. Pretty food usually just tastes better. This drink is fresh and citrusy, so it's perfect for spring and summer. Or those moments when you want to pretend it's spring or summer!
We definitely recommend using fresh lemon and grapefruit juice to get maximum flavor. One of our best investments has been a juicer so we can get fresh juice for any recipe (food or drink). It has been a game changer in terms of flavor and quality. You don't need a fancy juicer either, a simple one will do just fine!
The slightly tart, slightly bitter, slightly spicy, fresh, and flowery flavors all come together in this garden city cocktail recipe. It tastes like warmer weather and is the perfect cocktail to sip on on a sunny Saturday afternoon or make at your next get together with friends and/or family. It may look complicated but it's so easy and extremely delicious!
Garden City Cocktail Recipe
This beautiful cocktail tastes like warmer weather. It's perfect for spring or summer, or whenever you wish it was spring or summer. With flavors like citrus, mint, and butterfly pea blossom, this cocktail tastes and looks wonderful.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin (Empress 1908)
- 1 oz grapefruit juice (fresh)
- ½ oz lemon juice (fresh)
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 2 sprigs mint (fresh)
- 1 leaf mint (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine juices and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Strain over glass filled with ice.
- Slowly pour the gin over the juice.
- Garnish with a mint leaf or two and a slice of citrus. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 195
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 16
- Fat: 0
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: beautiful cocktails, beautiful drinks, citrus cocktail, cocktail ideas, cocktail ingredients, cocktail recipe, cocktails, empress gin, empress gin cocktails, garden city, garden city cocktail
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