Witches’ Brew Lemonade with Empress 1908 Gin and Blue Curaçao Recipe

There’s something truly magical about the Witches’ Brew Lemonade with Empress 1908 Gin and Blue Curaçao recipe that just draws you in. It’s bright and bubbly, with this stunning deep blue color that looks incredible in the glass—and tastes even better. I first tried making this for a gathering on a breezy summer evening, and the citrusy freshness combined with the subtle botanicals from Empress Gin instantly won over the crowd.

This cocktail strikes a beautiful balance between playful and sophisticated, making it a perfect choice whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, a weekend brunch, or just a fun night in. The mix of sparkling lemonade, blue curaçao, and a hint of rosemary makes every sip feel special. Honestly, once you try this Witches’ Brew Lemonade with Empress 1908 Gin and Blue Curaçao recipe, it’ll become one of your favorite go-to drinks for impressing guests without fuss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients here complement each other perfectly to create a vibrant, refreshing cocktail with just the right touch of herbal and citrus notes. When you shop, try to get fresh rosemary and the best sparkling lemonade you can find since those flavors really shine through.

• Sparkling Lemonade: Adds that refreshing fizz and bright citrus base that lifts the whole drink.
• Empress 1908 Gin: This gin’s unique butterfly pea flower infusion gives it a beautiful indigo color and floral botanical flavor.
• Blue Curaçao: Provides sweetness and that vivid blue hue to make the “witches’ brew” stunning.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a fresh tartness that balances the sweetness perfectly.
• Rosemary Sprig: A fragrant herb that introduces an earthy aroma and makes for an elegant garnish.

Variations

I love how versatile this Witches’ Brew Lemonade with Empress 1908 Gin and Blue Curaçao recipe is. Feel free to experiment a little with the flavors and the presentation to make the drink your own. It’s always fun to tailor cocktails to your guests’ tastes or the vibe of your gathering.

• Variation: Sometimes, I swap the sparkling lemonade for sparkling water and add a little honey syrup for a less sweet, more botanical-focused cocktail. It’s refreshing and lets the gin shine.
• Variation: For a spicier twist, muddle a small slice of jalapeño in the glass before adding the rest of the ingredients—it adds just the right zing without overpowering.
• Variation: Use a lemon-lime soda instead of lemonade for a different citrus profile and extra sweetness, which kids and less alcohol-savvy friends seem to enjoy.

How to Make Witches’ Brew Lemonade with Empress 1908 Gin and Blue Curaçao Recipe

Step 1: Chill Your Glass First

Get things started by popping your glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes. I find that serving the Witches’ Brew in a cold glass keeps it crisp longer and amps up the refreshing factor. You want that sparkle of the lemonade to last with every sip!

Step 2: Mix the Spirits and Citrus

Pour 2 ounces of Empress 1908 Gin, 0.25 ounces of Blue Curaçao, and 0.25 ounces of freshly squeezed lemon juice into a shaker filled with ice. Give it a gentle shake—just enough to combine and chill without watering it down too much. Pro tip: using fresh lemon juice here is worth the extra squeeze because it really brightens the drink.

Step 3: Stir in the Sparkling Lemonade

Strain the gin mixture into your chilled glass, then gently pour 4 ounces of sparkling lemonade over the top. Because this bubbly is carbonated, you want to pour slowly to keep that fizz alive. Give a gentle stir with a bar spoon to blend but avoid losing bubbles.

Step 4: Garnish with Rosemary

Finish by adding a fresh rosemary sprig right into the glass. This isn’t just for looks—the rosemary adds an aromatic herbal freshness that really elevates the experience. Before placing it in the glass, I like to gently slap the sprig between my hands to release more fragrance.

How to Serve Witches’ Brew Lemonade with Empress 1908 Gin and Blue Curaçao Recipe

Garnishes

I stick with the rosemary sprig because it’s simple but really impactful—it smells amazing and looks elegant against the deep blue hue. Occasionally, I’ve added a lemon wheel on the rim for an extra pop of color and a little citrus aroma every time you take a sip.

Side Dishes

I like pairing this cocktail with light, finger-food style bites like bruschetta with goat cheese and herbs or fresh shrimp ceviche. The fresh citrus moments in the drink complement these dishes beautifully. This combo makes for an ideal summer afternoon snack session with friends.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served the Witches’ Brew Lemonade in glass jars with LED ice cubes that glow blue to emphasize the “witches’ brew” vibe. Adding dry ice works wonders to create a smoky, mystical effect, but you have to be sure people don’t ingest the dry ice itself! Playing with glassware also helps—stemless flutes or coupe glasses both elevate the look differently.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I’ve found that if you mix the gin, blue curaçao, and lemon juice ahead of time and keep that chilled separately, it stays fresh for about 24 hours. Add the sparkling lemonade only when you’re ready to serve—it preserves the fizz perfectly. Store the mixed spirits in a sealed bottle or jar in the fridge.

Freezing

Freezing this cocktail isn’t the best idea because the sparkling lemonade loses bubbles and the fresh lemon juice flavor dulls. However, you can freeze Blue Curaçao and Empress Gin separately for cold shots, but I prefer fresh cocktails over frozen ones with these delicate flavors.

Reheating

This cocktail is best served chilled, so reheating isn’t necessary—or even desirable. If you do have leftover Witches’ Brew, just add fresh ice or pour over a fresh batch of sparkling lemonade to revive it a bit. Fresh preparation makes the biggest difference with this recipe.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

To me, the Witches’ Brew Lemonade with Empress 1908 Gin and Blue Curaçao recipe is like a little glass of magic you can make at home. It’s simple to whip up but feels special enough to impress anyone sitting across from you. Next time you want a cocktail that’s fresh, eye-catching, and downright delicious, give this one a try—you’ll love how it turns any moment into a celebration.

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