Empress 1908 Gin: Three Types Introduced, Captivating with Color and Aroma for 'Cocktail Day' on May 13th Amidst Rising Interest in Visual Elements

Izumise Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto; Representative Director: Naotaka Totsuka), which operates over 50 specialized liquor online stores, will launch cocktail proposals using “Empress 1908,” a premium gin from Canada, to coincide with “Cocktail Day” on May 13th. In recent years, interest in visual elements such as color and presentation has increased in cocktails, in addition to taste. This initiative responds to the growing trend of enjoying cocktails at home, leveraging the natural colors and aromas of Empress 1908.

**Expansion of “Enjoy at Home × Visually Appealing” Cocktail Experience**
With the establishment of at-home drinking opportunities, cocktails are now widely enjoyed at home. In recent years, interest in visual elements such as color and presentation has increased, and scenes of sharing on photos and videos are also growing.

**Canadian Premium Gin Born from Hotel Tea Culture and Distillation Technology**
“Empress 1908 Gin” is a premium gin created through a joint development between Victoria Distillers, located on the waterfront in British Columbia, Canada, and “The Fairmont Empress Hotel,” a hotel with a history dating back to 1908 in Victoria, British Columbia.

* **Victoria Distillers**
Founded in 2008. They craft spirits using local water and carefully selected botanicals with traditional copper stills. Their product development is inspired by the rich natural environment of Vancouver Island, and they are known as an award-winning distillery.

* **The Fairmont Empress Hotel**
A historic hotel often referred to as “Canada’s Castle,” it is an iconic presence overlooking the Inner Harbour. Its afternoon tea, which has continued since its founding, is widely known as a tourist attraction and symbolizes tea culture.

The “1908” in the product name derives from the hotel’s founding year, and a key feature is the incorporation of botanicals also used in the hotel’s house blend tea. While based on the classic gin framework, it possesses unique colors and aromas, designed with cocktail use in mind.

**Lineup**

* **Empress 1908 Indigo Gin**
*“Color-changing” experiential gin*
This gin has a vibrant indigo blue color derived from natural butterfly pea pigment. It changes to pink when tonic water or citrus is added. This change is due to the reaction of anthocyanin pigment, allowing for visual entertainment. It features a juniper base balanced with citrus and spice.
* Volume: 750ml
* Alcohol Content: 42.5%
* Country of Origin: Canada

* **Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin**
*Floral gin with a rich aroma and color*
This gin is primarily composed of floral scents using rose petals, elderflower, and lavender. Along with its naturally derived pink color, it offers a soft sweetness and elegant aroma. Nuances of orange peel fruitiness and spice also layer, making it suitable for light cocktails.
* Volume: 750ml
* Alcohol Content: 43%
* Country of Origin: Canada

* **Empress 1908 Cucumber Lemon Gin**
*Gin with abundant freshness like new greenery*
This gin is characterized by a refreshing aroma and flavor centered around cucumber and lemon peel. It is the first clear type released by the brand. The fresh green scent of cucumber, along with nuances of jasmine and spice, creates a light and clean taste.
* Volume: 750ml
* Alcohol Content: 42.5%
* Country of Origin: Canada

**Cocktail Experience Expanded by Color-Changing Effect and Botanical Aromas**
Empress 1908 is a gin that can be enjoyed both visually and in taste, thanks to its natural colors and botanical aromas. In addition to its interactive color-changing effect, its floral, citrus, and spice compositions allow for a wide range of uses, from simple tonic or soda mixes to more elaborate arrangements. It is easy to recreate at home, expanding the ways to enjoy cocktails.

**Cocktail Recipe Proposals**

* **Gin & Tonic**
* [Ingredients]
* Empress 1908 Indigo Gin: 45ml
* Tonic Water: 120ml
* Lime: 1/6 to 1/8 slice
* [Method]
Fill a glass generously with ice, pour in the gin and stir to chill the gin itself. Lightly squeeze the lime before adding it to the glass. Gently pour chilled tonic water along the side of the glass, avoiding direct contact with the ice. Stir once vertically with a muddler.

* **Negroni**
* [Ingredients]
* Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin: 30ml
* Sweet Vermouth: 30ml
* Campari: 30ml
* Orange slice (or orange peel): 1 slice
* [Method]
Pour all ingredients into a rock glass with ice.