Orchard Apple Gin and Tonic (Empress Gin Cocktail)

by Carolyn Pascual on Nov 17, 2022 (updated Oct 28, 2025)

This post may contain affiliate links that earn us a small commission with no extra cost to you. We appreciate you using these links for any purchase!

The Orchard Apple Gin and Tonic is a warming blend of Empress Gin, chai tea, apple cider, and tonic water for the perfect autumn libation.

If you love apple cider cocktails, you’ll also want to try my Apple Cider Margarita (4-Ingredient Cocktail) and Easy Apple Cider Moscow Mule (Batch Recipe)!

I partnered with Empress 1908 Gin to mix up this recipe! Recipe and ideas are my own.

Empress Orchard Apple Gin and Tonic garnished with apple and star anise

I’m loving all the fun, fall recipes including this delicious Orchard Apple Gin and Tonic made with only 4 ingredients! It’s the ideal drink for those days when you want to kick back and relax with an easy-to-make cocktail. Treat yourself this season to this delicious gin-based cocktail. This drink is elevated by using Empress 1908 Gin which balances beautifully with the spicy chai and tart apple cider notes.

Empress 1908 Gin is one of my favorite gins to mix with because it’s smooth, botanical and adds the prettiest hue to your cocktails.

Best Gin For a Gin and Tonic

Selecting a gin for your gin and tonic can be a tricky task. Most gin is juniper dominant, giving it a noticeable pine flavor. But I personally prefer a more balanced, citrus-forward gin with botanical tasting notes, which is why I love Empress 1908 Gin!

Empress 1908 Gin is handcrafted in small batch copper-pot stills from Victoria Distillers. This gin includes a signature blend of traditional botanicals like black tea and butterfly pea blossom which gives this spirit its deep purple hue. Inspired by the legendary Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, Empress 1908 Gin comes from tradition with a modern, unique twist.

Ingredients for This Recipe

Empress 1908 Gin: Made with eight botanicals including butterfly pea flower, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, juniper, and rose, this purple-hued spirit boasts herbal, citrus, and juniper notes making it an enjoyable gin to sip on solo too!
Apple cider: For that fresh fall flavor, pick up a bottle of your preferred apple cider. I used a fresh bottle from my recent trip to Julian. I recommend 100% juice.
Chai tea: You can use your preferred brand of chai tea.
Tonic water: Top this cocktail with some tonic water to give this tasty drink an effervescent finish. I used Fever Tree Tonic Water.
Apple slice, sage leaves, and star anise: Don’t forget to garnish this delicious cocktail with an apple slice, sage leaves, and star anise.

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: Brew and chill your chai tea.

Step 2: Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Then, add the apple cider, chai tea (make sure it’s already cooled down), and tonic water, and stir with a bar spoon. Next, slowly pour Empress 1908 Gin into the glass, allowing it to float on top of the cocktail.

Step 3: The last step is to garnish with an apple slice, sage leaves, and star anise. Make sure to stir before enjoying. Cheers!

More Fall Cocktails to Enjoy

If you loved this recipe, I would SO appreciate it if you would give this recipe a star review below. Also, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me @thesocialsipper!

For more great recipes, follow me on Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest and Facebook.

If you’re interested in taking scroll-stopping photos and videos of your food and drinks, follow @foodphotographymentor on Insta and check out our food photography equipment here.

No ratings yet