Featured Gin: Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose

Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin paired with Fever Tree Tonic.

You know that moment when a drink arrives at the table, and the whole conversation stops? That's Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose Gin. Before you've taken a sip, that deep jewel-toned ruby-rose colour has already done something to the room. It's the kind of bottle — and the kind of glass — that earns a second look, a raised eyebrow, and inevitably, a "wait, what is that?"

At Southside Shake, we've built our reputation on exactly these kinds of discoveries. As the home of New Brunswick's largest gin selection, we take our gin seriously, and Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose is one of the most genuinely show-stopping bottles in our lineup. Whether you're a longtime gin devotee or you're still finding your way through the botanical jungle, this one is worth your full attention.

The Story Behind the Bottle

Empress 1908 takes its name from the iconic Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia, a city so lush with gardens that it blooms almost year-round. The Elderflower Rose expression was crafted as a love letter to Victoria's gardens, bottling the feeling of walking through a landscape in full bloom.

Handcrafted in copper pot stills by Victoria Distillers in small batches, this gin brings together nine all-natural botanicals — juniper berry, red rose petal, elderflower, lavender, orange peel, orris root, cinnamon bark, coriander seed, and black carrot — each chosen to capture the essence of those spectacular West Coast gardens. The result is a spirit with character, nuance, and a personality that holds up as well over a long conversation as it does in a single sip.

In the Glass

On the nose, this gin opens with juniper doing its proper job before a wave of elderflower and lavender rises to meet it. It's floral without being a fragrance counter. Complex without being demanding. There's a citrus brightness threaded through the whole thing that keeps it feeling alive and fresh.

The palate is where it surprises you. Most people expect cloying sweetness from something this visually dramatic. What they get instead is quite dry, elderflower leading, rose petal following, a warmth from the cinnamon bark sitting quietly underneath it all. The finish is smooth and botanical, with a subtle spice note lingering just long enough to remind you what you're drinking.

And then there's the colour. Pour it neat, and you get a deep, rich ruby. Add Fever Tree tonic and watch it shift toward soft violet. Squeeze in a touch of citrus, and it travels further still.

The Perfect Serve

There are plenty of ways to enjoy Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose, but we believe a well-made gin and tonic lets this spirit speak most authentically. The key is a quality tonic. The bitterness of a well-crafted tonic doesn't fight the floral notes here. It frames them, lifts the fruit and spice, and gives the whole glass a kind of effortless elegance. That's why we reach for Fever Tree.

Fill a large copa glass generously with ice. Pour 50ml of Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose over it. Top with your Fever Tree tonic of choice. Finish with a strip of expressed orange peel, and if you're feeling like yourself tonight, a sprig of lavender or a fresh rose petal to garnish.

Why It Belongs on New Brunswick's Largest Gin List

At Southside Shake, every bottle on our bar earns its place through character, quality, and the kind of story worth telling to the person sitting next to you. Empress 1908 Elderflower Rose hits all three. It's a Canadian gin with genuine craft behind it, a flavour profile that holds up in everything from a G&T to a Negroni Rosa, and a visual presence that absolutely justifies the reaction it gets when it lands on your table.

We're proud to carry it as part of the most extensive gin program in New Brunswick, and prouder still to pour it for guests who trust us to introduce them to something genuinely worth their evening.

Come Find Us in Fredericton Downtown

If you're looking for something beyond the usual when it comes to nightlife in Fredericton, or you've been wondering where to drink downtown, Southside Shake is your answer. We're located inside the Hilton Garden Inn Fredericton Downtown, and while we're tucked inside a hotel, we are very much a neighbourhood craft cocktail bar first. Jazz nights, gin spotlights, and bartenders who actually know what they're talking about.