The Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic is a refreshing mix of fresh citrus, warming cardamom and tonic water, and Empress 1908 Gin for a perfectly balanced cocktail.

I partnered with Empress 1908 Gin to mix up the Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic recipe! Recipe and ideas are my own.

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The Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic

Gin and tonics are my go-to cocktail for happy hour. They’re simple, zesty, and effervescent. But, when I’m looking to jazz up this traditional cocktail, I love adding a few extra ingredients to make the Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic!

Bright citrus flavors from the grapefruit and lime pair perfectly with the earthiness from the cardamom syrup and the botanical notes from Empress 1908 Gin. And because this mixed drink only consists of five ingredients, it’s important to make sure you’re including premium ones!

What Gin Pairs Best With Cardamom?

Cardamom is such a warming and earthy spice that adds an extra element of excitement to your mixed drinks. My favorite way to incorporate cardamom is by creating a specialty syrup with the spice. Keep reading and I’ll show you a few, easy ways to do that. 

I prefer to mix this specialty cardamom syrup with a spirit that has similar tasting notes and Empress 1908 Gin checks that box. This gin is alluring from its bright violet hue to its citrus-forward and herbal notes. It’s a bold and beautiful gin that really shines in the Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic!

Ingredients for the Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic

Excite your taste buds by crafting this Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic by using a few key ingredients, a specialty syrup, and Empress 1908 Gin!

• Empress 1908 Gin: This spirit is made with eight botanicals like butterfly pea flower, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, juniper, and rose. It has a pretty purple hue that makes any cocktail you add it to stand out. Plus, its herbal, citrus, and juniper notes make it an enjoyable gin to sip on solo too!
• Grapefruit juice: Add fresh grapefruit juice to the Empress 1908 Gin and watch the color change right before your eyes! Grapefruit adds a hint of bitterness to this libation. 
• Lime juice: Add a squeeze of lime juice for a zesty finish. As always, fresh is best!
• Cardamom syrup: Mix up a batch of this specialty syrup using water, honey, and crushed cardamom pods. If you don’t have cardamom pods, you can use ground cardamom. The cardamom syrup provides a unique, warming spice to this cocktail. Plus, you can add it to other drinks too, like coffee or tea.
• Tonic water: Top this tipple with some tonic to give the Cardamon Grapefruit Gin and Tonic some bubbles for an effervescent finish. 
• Grapefruit slice, sage leaf: Garnish this gorgeous cocktail with some fresh ingredients like a grapefruit wedger or wheel and sage leaf, if you’re feeling fancy.

How to Make Cardamom Syrup

This refreshing gin-based cocktail is made with the most delicious cardamom syrup. To make this syrup, start by gently crushing your cardamom pods to make sure they are opened up. Then toast them in a small saucepan over medium heat for a few minutes. Make sure to move them around frequently so they don’t burn. Then, add honey and water to the saucepan, and stir. Bring this mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the syrup from the heat and cool completely. Strain into a glass jar and store it in your refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Alternatively, you could also infuse the cardamom together with simple syrup you already have on hand. I recommend infusing it for up to 24 hours for best results.

How to Make the Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic

To make the Cardamom Grapefruit Gin and Tonic cocktail, start by adding grapefruit juice, lime juice, and cardamom syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled. Next, fill a tall cocktail glass with ice and strain the mixture into the glass. Slowly pour Empress 1908 Gin into the glass so it forms a layer above the citrus mixture. Fill the glass with tonic water. Lastly, garnish with a grapefruit wedge or wheel and a sage leaf, if desired. Stir before enjoying. Cheers!

What’s the Best Gin for a Gin and Tonic?

Because the gin really shines in a gin and tonic, it’s so important to choose a high-quality gin for this classic drink. If you choose a London Dry Gin, you’ll get a big juniper burst (that some say is reminiscent of pine trees). But I personally prefer a citrus-forward gin with a more subtle juniper taste, which is why I love Empress 1908 Gin for a gin and tonic.

Empress 1908 Gin is such a unique brand with a premium product. Their gin is handcrafted in small batch copper-pot stills from Victoria Distillers. This gin is inspired by the legendary Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia. 

Empress 1908 Gin includes a signature blend of traditional botanicals, black tea, and butterfly pea blossom – this ingredient is what gives the gin the deep purple color. Order Empress 1908 Gin online here and if you’re looking for more recipes to try with this gin, peruse through their recipes!

More Empress 1908 Gin Recipes to Try

• Berry Tea Cocktail
• Grapefruit Eastside Cocktail
• Grapefruit Empress Gin Popsicles

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