From Sparrow’s gin list, Empress is the striking indigo-blue gin that turns heads before the first sip ($13 by the pour, or $19.50 for a larger pour).
About Empress
Empress, known as Empress 1908, is made by Victoria Distillers in British Columbia, Canada, and takes its name and inspiration from the landmark Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria. The addition of butterfly pea blossom is the secret to its signature deep indigo hue, a natural color with no artificial dyes. The same blossom even gives the gin its color-changing party trick: add citrus or tonic and the indigo shifts toward soft pink or lavender right in the glass. Alongside the butterfly pea blossom, the recipe leans on classic gin botanicals plus a touch of tea, citrus peel, ginger, and rose, a nod to the afternoon-tea heritage of its namesake hotel.
Tasting Notes
Beyond the color, Empress is smooth and gently floral, with juniper at its core and a soft, rounded herbal earthiness. It is approachable and balanced, the kind of gin that is just as happy in a simple gin and tonic as it is in a more dressed-up cocktail.
What to Pair It With
Bright, mixable, and undeniably photogenic, Empress is perfect with Fresh Oysters, Tuna Tartare, or a light salad from the Sparrow dinner menu, and it makes a showstopping color-changing spritz or martini. Try one during the daily happy hour from 3 to 5 PM ($3 off well drinks) out on our four-season patio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Empress gin blue?
Empress 1908 gets its deep indigo color naturally from butterfly pea blossom, with no artificial dyes. The color shifts toward pink or lavender when you add citrus or tonic.
How much is a pour of Empress at Sparrow in Kirkland?
Empress is $13 by the pour, or $19.50 for a larger pour, at Sparrow in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near other gins like Hendrick’s and Citadelle. We are on the Eastside in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood, so reserve a table and see the color for yourself.