Empress Indigo Gin – The Color-Changing Canadian Craft Spirit That Transforms Your Cocktails

Updated → October 2025

Empress 1908 Indigo Gin transforms from deep indigo to pink when mixed with citrus, using butterfly pea blossom chemistry. This award-winning Canadian craft gin features eight botanicals and has become America's second most imported gin.

Premium Gin Market Evolution

The super-premium gin segment has experienced remarkable growth, expanding 16% in 2023 even as overall gin sales declined 8.7%. Empress Indigo Gin has emerged as a standout performer in this competitive landscape, achieving 44.8% year-over-year growth to become the second most imported gin in the United States. This Canadian craft spirit represents a new generation of gins that prioritize experiential qualities alongside traditional botanical complexity.

Contemporary gin consumers, particularly millennials and Gen Z who represent 58% of premium gin buyers, seek products that deliver both exceptional taste and Instagram-worthy presentation. The market has responded with innovative offerings that push boundaries while respecting gin's traditional foundations. Empress Indigo Gin perfectly captures this trend through its natural color-changing properties that transform cocktails from deep indigo blue to soft pink or bright lavender when mixed with citrus or tonic.

Eight-Botanical Signature Blend

Empress Indigo Gin features a carefully curated selection of eight organic botanicals that create its distinctive Pacific Northwest style. The foundation begins with juniper berries providing traditional gin character with pine and citrus notes, though in a more subtle expression than London Dry gins. Grapefruit peel replaces typical lemon or orange, offering bright aromatic notes that are simultaneously bitter and sweet.

Coriander seed from India contributes nutty spice with citrusy dimensions, while whole rose petals add softness, warmth, and elegant floral balance. The spice profile comes from ginger root providing bold complexity with pungency and lemony freshness, complemented by cinnamon bark offering warm dimensions. The most distinctive botanical is butterfly pea blossom, responsible for the natural indigo color while balancing citrus with warm herbal earthiness.

Finally, the Fairmont Empress Blend Tea—created exclusively by Metropolitan Tea Company featuring seasonal selections from Assam, Kenya, South India, Ceylon, and China—adds depth described as floral, fruity and oaky. All botanicals are certified organic and the spirit base uses non-GMO corn, creating a balanced, gently refined gin bottled at 42.5% ABV (85 proof).

The Science of Color Transformation

The mesmerizing color change in Empress Indigo Gin results from pH-sensitive anthocyanins—specifically delphinidin and ternatins—found in butterfly pea flowers. These natural pigments exist in different molecular forms depending on hydrogen ion concentration. At neutral pH (around 7), anthocyanins exist primarily in quinoidal base form, producing the deep indigo blue visible in the bottle.

When citric acid from lemon or lime juice is added, the pH drops toward acidic levels (pH 4-6), causing molecules to shift toward the flavylium cation form, exhibiting red coloration. This structural change creates the transformation to soft pink, rose, or fuchsia that makes Empress cocktails visually dramatic. Tonic water, which contains quinine and is slightly acidic, produces bright lavender or violet representing the transitional zone between red and blue forms.

Butterfly pea flower anthocyanins demonstrate higher color density and stability compared to other natural colorants, though they remain sensitive to heat, light, and pH changes. Storage at elevated temperatures or sunlight exposure causes chalcone formation, leading to yellow or brown fading over time. Victoria Distillers emphasizes that while color may fade (darker color indicates fresher bottles), flavor remains intact. No artificial colors or stabilizers are used—the entire transformation is 100% natural chemistry.

Victoria Distillers Heritage

Victoria Distillers, established in 2008 in Sidney, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, created Empress Indigo Gin through collaboration with the legendary Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria. The hotel, built in 1908 as part of Canadian Pacific Railway's grand hotels and designated a National Historic Site of Canada, has hosted royalty including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles for over a century.

The gin was developed by then-Master Distiller Peter Hunt, a molecular biologist who left his career at BC Cancer Agency's Genome Sciences Centre to become a full-time distiller. Hunt discovered the color-changing property accidentally while selecting botanicals for flavor. The butterfly pea blossom was initially found in another tea blend served at the Empress Hotel, with the team exploring 20 different teas from the hotel's collection before selecting the signature blend.

Launched in the US market in summer 2017, Empress Indigo Gin has expanded distribution to Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Bermuda, Japan, New Zealand, and beyond. The distillery employs highly sustainable processes including a closed-loop geothermal system that recaptures heat and delivers it to the neighboring Sidney Pier Hotel, saving approximately 7,000 liters of water per distillation.

International Awards & Recognition

Empress Indigo Gin has earned impressive international recognition since its launch. The gin received Best Alcohol Drink at the 2017 World Beverage Innovation Awards, judged from 227 entries across 33+ countries. Additional accolades include Gold Medal at the New York World Wine and Spirits Competition (2017), Best Canadian Classic at the 2018 World Gin Awards, and Double Gold at the San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge (2018).

Recent awards include multiple silver medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2019), New York International Spirits Competition (2019), and London Spirits Competition (2023), plus gold awards from the Canadian Artisan Spirits Competition and Fairplex Los Angeles International Spirits Competition. These recognitions validate both the gin's flavor profile and innovative approach to spirits presentation.

Market Positioning & Pricing

Empress Indigo Gin occupies the super-premium category at $28-50 per 750ml bottle, typically retailing between $37-40. This positions it competitively with established brands like Hendrick's ($30-40), The Botanist ($30-40), and Roku ($28-35), while remaining more accessible than ultra-premium offerings like Monkey 47 ($63-70).

This pricing reflects the craft gin market's premiumization trend and aligns with consumer willingness to pay more for experiential qualities. With 133,000 cases sold in 2023 making it the second most imported gin in the US, Empress Indigo Gin demonstrates that visual innovation combined with quality botanicals resonates powerfully with contemporary spirits consumers.

Competitive Landscape Analysis

Empress Indigo Gin differentiates itself through visual innovation rather than extreme botanical complexity. While competitors like Monkey 47 feature 47 botanicals creating ultra-premium complexity, and Hendrick's builds brand recognition through Victorian aesthetics and cucumber-rose signature, Empress leverages the color-changing feature to create extra-sensory cocktail experiences.

The gin perfectly aligns with millennial and Gen Z preferences—demographics prioritizing Instagram-worthy presentations, experiential consumption, and craft storytelling. The natural, all-organic ingredients appeal to health-conscious consumers in a market where 39% are willing to pay 20% more for eco-certified spirits. Market analysts describe Empress as creating cocktails that are simultaneously traditional and innovative—the citrus-and-spice palette remains classic while visual transformation drives social media virality.

Craft Production Methods

The production process for Empress Indigo Gin involves macerating six botanicals—juniper, grapefruit peel, coriander seed, cinnamon bark, rose petal, ginger root—overnight in neutral spirit, then distilling in copper pot stills to capture botanical essences. Critically, the Fairmont Empress tea blend and butterfly pea blossom are infused after distillation to maintain delicate flavors and preserve natural indigo color.

This post-distillation infusion technique ensures the butterfly pea blossom's anthocyanins remain intact, maintaining both color vibrancy and the ability to transform with pH changes. The distillery's commitment to sustainability extends throughout production, utilizing renewable energy sources and water conservation measures that demonstrate environmental responsibility alongside craft quality.

Signature Cocktail Recipes

Empress Indigo Gin's color-changing properties create endless opportunities for visually dramatic cocktails. The classic Empress & Tonic—the brand's signature serve—uses 2 oz gin with 3 oz premium tonic water in a copa glass filled with ice, garnished with grapefruit slice. Serving tonic separately allows guests to witness transformation from indigo to bright violet.

The Empress Gin Sour combines 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, ¾ oz simple syrup, and 1 egg white. Dry shake vigorously for 45 seconds creating foam, then add ice and shake again. Strain into chilled coupe glass garnished with dried lavender. The Empress 75 shakes 1.5 oz gin, ½ oz lemon juice, and ½ oz simple syrup with ice, strains into champagne flute, and tops with sparkling wine for bubbling lavender celebration.

To maintain blue color, use neutral ingredients like soda water. The Cucumber Blue muddles cucumber, basil, and mint in rocks glass, then builds with ice, 2 oz gin, and soda water topping. For maximum visual drama, layer cocktails by pouring lighter-density liquids last over spoon back—building gin with neutral ingredients first, then adding acidic components so guests see color shift.

Professional Serving Techniques

Professional bartenders recommend specific techniques for maximizing Empress Indigo Gin's visual impact. Use large ice cubes for slower dilution, maintaining both temperature and color intensity. Always chill glasses in advance to prevent rapid temperature changes that can affect color stability. Fresh-squeezed citrus juice is essential—never use bottled alternatives which lack the proper acidity for optimal color transformation.

Garnish with grapefruit slices that complement the gin's botanical profile while adding visual appeal. For Instagram-worthy results, use clear glassware to showcase color changes, build drinks in front of guests for dramatic effect, and ensure good lighting captures the indigo hue's full brilliance. When batching for gatherings, prepare cocktail base (gin, citrus, simple syrup) in large quantities, then shake individual servings with egg white when ready to serve.

Storage & Preservation Guidelines

Proper storage ensures Empress Indigo Gin maintains its distinctive color and flavor profile. Victoria Distillers recommends storing bottles in cool, dark places away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Temperature fluctuations should be avoided as they can accelerate anthocyanin degradation, leading to color fading.

While the gin doesn't expire, consuming within one year of purchase ensures optimal visual impact. The darker the color, the fresher the bottle—though flavor remains intact even as color fades over time. Once opened, reseal tightly and continue storing in cool, dark conditions. The 42.5% ABV provides natural preservation, but minimizing air exposure helps maintain both color vibrancy and botanical complexity.

Millennial & Gen Z Appeal

Empress Indigo Gin has captured younger demographics through its perfect alignment with contemporary consumption preferences. Millennials and Gen Z consumers, representing 58% of premium gin buyers, prioritize experiential qualities alongside taste. The color-changing feature creates shareable moments ideal for social media, where visual impact drives engagement and brand awareness.

These demographics also value authenticity and sustainability—qualities Empress delivers through all-natural ingredients, organic botanicals, and environmentally responsible production methods. The brand's storytelling, rooted in Fairmont Empress Hotel heritage while embracing innovation, resonates with consumers seeking products with genuine craft credentials. The gin's success demonstrates how traditional spirits categories can evolve to meet changing consumer expectations without sacrificing quality or heritage.

Seneca Wine & Liquor Availability

Seneca Wine & Liquor at 8630 Seneca Turnpike in New Hartford, NY 13413 serves as the premier local retailer for Empress Indigo Gin and fine spirits. Established in 1986 and currently owned by Greg Gorea, this locally-operated store has been voted #1 liquor store in Oneida County for nine consecutive years according to the Observer-Dispatch Best of the Best poll.

The store maintains an impressive inventory of 90,000-100,000 bottles, making it one of the region's most comprehensively stocked wine and liquor destinations. Contact Seneca Wine & Liquor at (315) 724-8672 or seneca@horsestailgroup.com. Store hours are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Sunday 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Delivery is available Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 8:40 PM, Friday 9:00 AM to 9:40 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM to 8:40 PM, and Sunday 11:00 AM to 4:40 PM.

The store offers a 40-Mile Price Match Guarantee, meeting or beating any advertised price within 40 miles, plus 15% off all wine cases and 10% off all liquor cases (mix and match). Senior and military discounts are also available. Customer reviews consistently praise knowledgeable staff, with ratings of 4.6-4.7 stars across Google, Birdeye, and Chamber of Commerce platforms based on 500+ reviews.

Environmental Sustainability

Victoria Distillers demonstrates strong environmental commitment in producing Empress Indigo Gin. The distillery employs a closed-loop geothermal system that recaptures heat and delivers it to the neighboring Sidney Pier Hotel, saving approximately 7,000 liters of water per distillation. All botanicals are certified organic, supporting sustainable agriculture practices.

The use of natural butterfly pea blossom for coloring eliminates need for artificial dyes or stabilizers, reducing chemical inputs. Non-GMO corn base and commitment to local sourcing where possible further minimize environmental impact. These practices appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, with 39% willing to pay 20% more for eco-certified spirits according to market research.