Empress Gin Cocktail: Snowy Daze
This Empress gin cocktail is creamy, lightly spiced, and cozy, with a gorgeous lavender hue that feels perfect for winter sipping.
The cream of coconut gives this cocktail a soft, silky vibe without tipping too much into sweet territory; fresh lemon keeps it bright, and the clove simple syrup elevates the whole cocktail. Warm, lightly spiced, and oh, so cozy, everything just works together. It’s balanced, easy to love, and another great excuse to reach for Empress gin.
I’ve been on a bit of an Empress gin kick lately. Any time you want to step up your cocktail game without overthinking it, that indigo bottle is the move. Snowy Daze came together when I was in the mood to create a signature sip that felt special but not fussy, cozy but still pretty, and it checked every box. If you’re loving Empress gin too, you’ll definitely want to try my Elderflower Collins next. It’s lighter, bright, and just as gorgeous in the glass.
Snowy Daze feels right at home après-ski, but don’t save it just for winter. It shows up just as well for a girls’ night, Mother’s Day, or anytime you want a cocktail that feels a little extra.
It’s cozy, beautiful, and officially ready for you to shake up at home. So let’s get into the ingredients.
Empress Gin Cocktail Ingredients
- Empress Indigo Gin – This is the “step up your cocktail game” gin. It’s naturally indigo thanks to butterfly pea blossom, and it’s built for mixing: bright citrus, juniper, and warm spice, with a softer texture that plays really nicely with coconut and lemon.
- Cream of coconut – This is what makes the drink creamy and cozy without being overly sweet. Make sure you’re using cream of coconut, not coconut milk.
- Fresh lemon juice – Please don’t use the bottled stuff here. Fresh lemon is what keeps this drink bright and balanced.
- Clove simple syrup – Warm, subtle spice that makes the whole cocktail feel cozy. And yes, so easy to make at home. See the step-by-step below.
How to shake up this EMPRESS gin cocktail
This one is so simple.
Start by filling your cocktail glass with ice and set it aside. If you’re into a sugary rim, go ahead and rim the glass first. I walk through the whole thing step by step in my Winter Martini recipe if you want the full how-to.
Now grab your cocktail shaker and fill it with ice. Pour in the Empress gin, cream of coconut, clove simple syrup, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Pop the top on and give it a really good shake, about 10 seconds. You want everything cold, blended, and looking nice and creamy.
Strain into your prepared glass, sprinkle a few extra cloves for a little extra warmth, and start sippin’.
Let’s Talk Clove Simple Syrup
It’s called simple syrup for a reason, it really is simple. I reach for it often because it adds a subtle layer that takes a cocktail from good to really good without complicating things.
For this one, I went with clove. I love that warm, cozy scent, especially in the winter. You’ll need 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar, and 1 tablespoon whole cloves. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring everything to a gentle simmer. Turn off the heat and let it sit and steep for about 10 minutes to infuse the syrup with clove flavor fully. That flavor translates beautifully in the cocktail.
When to Serve This Empress Gin Cocktail
Do we really need an excuse for a cocktail this pretty? Probably not. But if you’re the kind of person who likes a reason, here you go.
- Après ski & snow days – The snowy look and warm clove notes make it the ultimate “come in from the cold” cocktail. Cozy, comforting, and just what you want after a day outside.
- Girls’ night in – Lavender cocktails just feel right here. It’s fun, gorgeous, and bonus, delicious.
- Mother’s Day – Pretty, floral, and a little unexpected, kind of perfect, honestly.
- Valentine’s Day – That romantic purple hue, soft citrus, and warm clove spice make this a no-brainer. Whether it’s date night, Galentine’s, or a night in with yourself, this cocktail sets the mood.
- Dinner parties – This is a great opener. It sets the tone, looks elegant on a tray.
Garnish Ideas
- Sugar rim – I love using those snowy river cocktail sugars from Amazon. They add sparkle, a little sweetness, and really play up that wintery indigo color.
- Whole cloves – A light sprinkle on top adds extra warmth.
- Edible flowers – Perfect if you’re leaning into the purple tones. They make the cocktail feel extra special, especially for girls’ night or Mother’s Day.
- Lemon twist or peel – Simple, classic, and a nice nod to the fresh citrus in the drink.
Make Ahead and Batch up
This Empress gin cocktail is a great make-ahead sip, which makes it even better for entertaining. You can mix everything except the ice and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. When it’s go-time, give it a good shake with ice, strain, garnish if you’re feeling fancy, and call it a win.
Batching for a group? Just use cups instead of ounces, keep everything chilled, and shake each drink when you’re ready to serve. No stress, no fuss.
More Gin Cocktails You’ll Love
- Pear Gin Fizz – Light, crisp, and quietly elegant. My Thanksgiving go-to signature sip.
- The Merry Maker – A staple around the holidays. So festive and cozy.
- Flora’s Harmony – Inspired by Italy and one of my more romantic cocktails. Soft, floral, and beautifully balanced.
- Rhubarb Gin Fizz – Bright, slightly tart, and refreshing with a little edge. This one’s great when you want something a bit unexpected, especially in spring and early summer.
One More for the Road
If you make Snowy Daze, I want to hear all about it, especially if it earns a spot as your signature cabin sip. And if cozy cocktails, easy entertaining, and recipes meant for sharing are your thing, come hang with me and join my Cozy Crew.
Empress Gin Cocktail: Snowy Daze
Equipment
- Sauce Pot for clove simple syrup
Ingredients
Clove Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
Empress Gin Cocktail
- 2 oz Empress Gin
- 1 oz cream of coconut
- 1 oz clove simple syrup
- 1 oz lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
Clove Simple Syrup
- Combine the water, sugar, and cloves in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and let steep for about 10 minutes to really pull out that clove flavor.
- Strain out the cloves, let cool, and store in a jar or bottle in the fridge.
Empress Gin Cocktail
- If you want a sugar rim, do that first, fill the glass with ice, and set it aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the Empress gin, cream of coconut, fresh lemon juice, and clove simple syrup.
- Shake well,about 10 seconds, until everything is cold and nicely blended.
- Strain into your prepared glass and start sippin’.
