Flower Frost With Empress 1908 Gin

Hot, bothered and need a drink pronto? Keep this Flower Frost cocktail tucked away in that freezer and I know I will be your saving grace. Just thank me later.

Now I know this is a little more than pouring a few things into a glass and bottoms up or even making a slightly more powerful stance in whipping up a cocktail that’s shaken and poured over ice. However this cocktail does tick a few other boxes;

• unique flavours (the secret is shared below)

• can be pre-made and kept in the freezer

• you don’t need to have ice on hand

• it’s the perfect combo of summer refreshment and cocktail in one

• it’s the best excuse to have a drink before midday

Now that’s a whole lot more than your typical cocktail. And why should you drink cocktails that are ordinarily when you can drink a cocktail that’s extraordinarily! Well that’s the way I roll and trust me, it does make things a little more special and out of the norm.

In my eyes, drinking unique cocktails should be marked as a moment that ‘s not only enjoyed but looked forward to. You can drink a lot, but when consumed consecutively, your body begins to find a normalisation in that activity and restricts the enjoyment or dopamine produced when partaking in that activity. Creating something special and something done once or twice a week, then those dopamine levels fluctuate and pin that moment or taste as fun, exciting and an experience to look forward to.

Don’t get me wrong, you can drink whenever and however much you want/desire. A glass or two of wine more often than not, has actually been proven to be beneficial in;

• supporting the longevity of life

• helping keep our hearts healthy

• preventing Alzheimer’s disease through some it’s nutrients and unique components

• helps with signs of depression

• can help fight ace or other skin issues

• can prevent obesity

• helps boosts your bodies defence mechanisms

• helps keep those bones strong and healthy

• helps keep plaque from eating away at your teeth

• can be beneficial for eye sight *

But that’s drinking wine frequently. Now drinking gin can be beneficial in;

• helping with hay fever

• the basis is all natural (made Juniper berries)

• great for digestion

• helps fight off that lingering cough

• is the best spirit for keeping that bod nice for the summer - lowest in calories and sugar

• targets wrinkles

• helps in bloating

• helps with arthritis (joint pain and bone aches)

• helps with diabetes

• and some say it helps you live longer **

So drinking isn’t all bad for you…

Now what makes the gin in this cocktail different from other gin products and distillers? This gin is Empress 1908 gin and really does make you feel royal - their name does not let you down. Made with the edible and vibrate Butterfly Pea Flower, this component is solely responsible for the gin’s purple colouring. Never heard of it? It imparts subtle earthy notes on top of it’a all-natural hue. This gin reveals ever transforming secrets as the resting colour maybe a purple tone but this alters when mixed with citrus or tonic. It evolves into indigo blue or delicate soft pink. Look it up because this small flower does bleed it’s amazing qualities into this high quality gin.

A little more about Empress 1908 Gin - it is a hand-crafted spirit that is distilled in British Columbia, Canada. The distillery is called Victoria Distillers and uses micro batching in small copper-pots to produce such quality gin. They impart eight botanicals to produce the unique flavours found within their product - juniper, rose, coriander seed, grapefruit peel, ginger root, cinnamon bark, butterfly pea blossoms and the Fairmont Empress Blend Tea. At the core of Empress 1908 Gin is their all-natural qualities as well as being gluten free so really it opens it’s doors to be enjoyed by all.

This recipe uses the rather childish need for something frozen and slightly sweet in the warm summer months intertwined with of course, the adult sensual desires for a day time drink. Leave to be enjoyed as a slightly melted sorbet for a refreshing burst or top with a splash more gin and the bubble of tonic for a more drinkable summer spritz.

* Source; https://blog.winetourismportugal.com/10-health-benefits-of-wine-according-to-science

**Source; https://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/wellbeing/reasons-gin-is-good-for-you-103517

Flower Frost

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Empress 1908 Gin

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 cup water

• 1 lime, zest and 1/2 lime juice 

• 1 lemon, zest and 1/2 juice 

• 1/2 cup Elderflower syrup 

• 1/2 cup condensed milk

• Ice, extra lemon/lime, tonic and extra Empress 1908 Gin to serve 

Elderflower Cordial

• 30 elderflower stalks

• 1 cup white sugar

• 3 litres boiling water

• 1 lemon, cut into rounds 

• 1 orange, zest (with a peeler)

• Citric acid (optional for preserving)

Method

To make the Elderflower syrup; Gently clean the flowers of any dirt or bugs but do not wash them as it will take off the part which is most flavourful. Place these in a large sealable jar (I used pasta or muesli 3-5 L jars but others used large bucket with lid), along with the white sugar and boiling water. Mix well until sugar dissolves. 

Add the citric acid if using along with the lemon rounds and the orange zest. Stir to combine and seal for 2-3 days. The longer you leave it after these days, does not mean the better tasting. After 4-5 days it will get extremely tart and you cannot reverse this. 

Strain the liquid from the flowers and citrus and bottle it with a funnel. I over ice but many people find it too strong and prefer it diluted with soda or regular water. Always serve with extra lemon or orange wedges.

To make the Sorbet; In a small sauce pan, bring to the boil the water and sugar. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the citrus juice plus the elderflower syrup. Leave too cool.

In a food processor or blender, combine the Empress 1908 gin, condensed milk, Elderflower syrup, lime and lemon zest. Pulse for 20-30 seconds, whipping to slightly foam the condensed milk (there should be a very small amount of foam on the surface when settled). Pour into a loaf tin or container and freeze over night (minimum 6-8 hours). 

To Serve; Take out the sorbet 5 minutes before serving. Using a fork, scrap length ways to break up the block. Serve one scoop of sorbet in a martini or coupe glass. Top with an extra splash of Empress Gin to finish. If you want it as a Sorbet and tonic (gin and tonic style), add a splash of tonic onto of the sorbet then add the extra gin.