Empress gin: what it is and where to buy it in Westford

Empress gin is a craft gin from Victoria, British Columbia, best known for the deep indigo color that turns pink when you add citrus or tonic. CBC Liquors in Westford carries Empress gins, and you can pick them up at 142 Littleton Rd or have them delivered.

What is Empress gin?

Empress gin is made by Victoria Distillers on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The flagship bottle is called Empress 1908 Indigo Gin, and it takes the 1908 from the year the Fairmont Empress hotel opened in Victoria, where the gin has its roots in the hotel's afternoon tea tradition.

It is a London dry style gin at heart, which means juniper leads and the flavor comes from botanicals rather than added sweetness. What sets it apart is the color. Instead of a clear spirit, you get a bottle that looks like ink.

You can see the full run of bottles we carry on the Empress brand page.

Why is Empress gin purple, and why does it change color?

The color comes from butterfly pea blossom, a flower used as a natural dye. Steeped in the gin, it gives the spirit a deep blue-indigo shade without any artificial coloring.

Butterfly pea blossom is sensitive to acidity. When you add something acidic, such as a squeeze of lemon, lime, or a tonic with citrus in it, the color shifts from indigo toward lavender and pink. The more acid, the pinker it goes.

That is why bartenders often pour it in two steps: the gin goes in first so you see the blue, then the citrus or tonic goes on top and the color changes in the glass. It is a simple trick, and it works at a kitchen counter as well as a bar.

What does Empress gin taste like?

The flavor is juniper first, then citrus peel, with a floral and lightly spicy finish. Grapefruit peel, rose, coriander, and ginger root are among the botanicals commonly associated with the original recipe. The color flower itself adds little flavor; it is there mostly for the look.

If you like a classic dry gin, this will feel familiar, with a slightly softer, more floral edge. If you usually find gin too sharp or piney, the citrus and rose notes in Empress tend to make it easier going.

Because it sits at a standard gin strength and carries real juniper character, it holds up in a gin and tonic, a martini, or a Collins without getting lost.

Which Empress gins does CBC Liquors carry?

For this search, we carry three Empress bottles:

EMPRESS 1908 Indigo Gin is the original, the one that goes from indigo to pink. If you have only seen photos of Empress, this is the bottle you are thinking of.

EMPRESS Cucumber Lemon Gin is built around cucumber and lemon, which suits a long, cool drink with soda or tonic.

EMPRESS 1908 Elderflower Rose leans floral, with elderflower and rose in the name and in the glass.

If you are choosing between them, start with Indigo for the color and the classic profile, Cucumber Lemon for something lighter, and Elderflower Rose if you already like floral spirits.

How do you drink Empress gin?

The simplest answer is a gin and tonic with a wedge of lemon or lime. Pour the gin over ice, top with tonic, and watch the color change. Our mixers section has tonic, soda, and other options to go with it.

For something more involved, try a Tom Collins with lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda. The acid pulls the color to a bright pink, which looks good at a table. A French 75, made with gin, lemon, and sparkling wine, works well too.

If you prefer it neat or in a martini, use the Indigo bottle and keep the citrus to a twist of peel. Chilling the gin first gives you a cleaner, smoother pour.

For Cucumber Lemon, tonic or soda with a slice of cucumber is enough. For Elderflower Rose, soda water and a lemon wheel keep the floral notes front and center.

Is Empress gin worth buying as a gift?

The color makes it an easy gift for someone who likes gin or likes cocktails. It looks different on a shelf from most bottles, and the color change gives the person something to show guests when they open it.

If you are not sure which one to pick, Indigo is the safest choice because it is the original and the one people recognize. Pair it with a bottle of tonic from the mixers shelf and it is ready to give.

If you are planning a party or a gathering and want the drinks sorted in one place, our party planner is there to help.

How do you get Empress gin from CBC Liquors in Westford?

You can walk in at 142 Littleton Rd, Westford, MA 01886. We are open Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

We also offer pickup, delivery, and shipping. Pickup runs on the same hours as the store. Delivery hours are Monday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM. You can read more on our alcohol delivered in Westford page.

Besides Westford, we serve Chelmsford, Carlisle, Littleton, Acton, Tyngsborough, Lowell, Billerica, Boxborough, and Dunstable. If you are in Chelmsford, Acton, or Lowell, those town pages have the delivery details for your area.

Our Google rating is 4.7 out of 5 from 339 reviews, if you want to see what other customers say before you come in.

What other gin can you browse alongside Empress?

If you like Empress and want to compare, the full gin section is the place to look. You will find styles from classic London dry to flavored and floral gins, so you can see where Empress sits.

Across the whole shop we have 4,613 products in stock from 1,888 brands, so there is room to find something to match the way you drink. If you would rather ask first, the liquor store near me page has our address and how to reach us.