The BEST Empress Gin Martini: Queen’s Garden a Royal Sip of Botanical Elegance

I found this beauty at Juliet inside The Venetian in Las Vegas, and it immediately stopped me in my tracks. The color alone is enough to do it—that soft lilac shade from the Empress gin is just gorgeous—but then it shows up with that thick, foamy top and delicate edible flowers, and suddenly it feels like a whole moment in a glass.

This is one of those cocktails that looks fancy, but once you break it down, it’s actually really approachable. You’ve got floral notes from the gin and Italicus, a little fresh lemon to brighten it up, and just enough sweetness to keep everything balanced. And that silky foam on top? It makes every sip feel just a little extra (in the best way).

It’s the kind of drink that feels right at home for a special occasion, but honestly, it’s just as fun to make when you want something a little different. If you’re into floral cocktails or just love a drink that’s as pretty as it is delicious, this one’s definitely worth shaking up.

Do you want to know the secrets to mixing the best cocktails EVER? Get my free printable guide, ‘Mix, Mingle & Marvel: 5 Essential Secrets to Crafting Cocktails That Wow!’ just for joining my mailing list.

Queen’s Garden Martini Ingredients

• Empress Gin
• Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
• Lemon Juice
• Simple Syrup
• Egg Whites
• Edible Flowers for Garnish

The key is using good-quality ingredients that blend together to create a rich mix of flavors.

Tips

When using egg whites, I purchase a small carton of Bob Evans 100% Liquid Egg Whites.

For garnish, you can purchase edible flowers or edible wafer flowers. I’ve tried both.

Edible flowers are natural blooms, such as pansies, violets, and nasturtiums, that are safe to eat and often used fresh or dried to garnish dishes, enhance flavors, or add visual appeal to salads, desserts, and beverages. The natural blooms create a beautiful presentation and cost approximately the same as the wafers. However, overnight shipping was much more expensive.

Edible wafer flowers are man-made and crafted from wafer paper (a mixture of potato starch, water, and vegetable oil). Due to their lightweight structure and delicate appearance, wafer flowers are popular in cake and dessert decoration. When placed in the cocktail, the moisture raises the edges, giving them the shape of natural flowers.

This post may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you buy the products from these links (at no extra cost). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But we only recommend products we would use ourselves. For more information, click here to see our disclosures.

Bar Tools

Here are awesome products to help YOU make the most incredible drinks. Impress your family and friends and be the BEST Cocktail Barista in your neighborhood.

Need a great Cocktail Shaker but don’t know which one to buy? Look no further

Martini or cocktail, a good shake makes all the difference in the world so buying a cocktail shaker can seriously step up your at-home drink game. Think about it: no more settling for boring mixed drinks when you can whip up bar-quality cocktails in your kitchen. It’s not just about the fancy presentation (although that’s a fun bonus) but also about how it makes mixing drinks easier and more fun. 

I have at least a dozen shakers, but one favorite. The shaker doesn’t leak; you won’t have to hit the shaker against the sink to get the top off, and the cap will measure from 1/2 to 1.5 ounces with clearly marked labels. Measure the perfect amount every time. And it is dishwasher safe!

Plus, once you get the hang of shaking, you’ll feel like a total pro, impressing your friends and yourself with your newfound bartending skills. So why not add a little shake, shake, shake to your life and upgrade your happy hour?

The Right Glass Matters

Chill Your Glass, Elevate Your Sip

👉 Mixing drinks at home? This is your go-to guide → Cocktails for Beginners: Easy Drinks Anyone Can Make at Home

How to Make a Queen’s Garden Martini

The Queen’s Garden, My Way

For an extra frosty experience, chill your coupe glass in the freezer for about 10 minutes before preparing the cocktail.

In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, combine the Empress Gin, Italicus, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg whites.

Wet Shake then Dry Shake

Shake vigorously for 10 – 15 seconds, then strain the ingredients into a shaker with no ice. Now shake vigorously again, and then pour the contents of the shaker into the chilled coupe glass.

Garnish with edible flowers, optional.

Final Sip

The Queen’s Garden Martini is one of those drinks that just feels a little special without being complicated. Between the soft lilac color, that creamy foam on top, and the edible flowers, it’s definitely a showstopper—but it also tastes just as good as it looks. It’s balanced, lightly floral, and super sippable.

Whether you’re making it for friends or just treating yourself to something pretty (highly recommend), this is one of those cocktails that turns an ordinary moment into something a little more fun. Cheers to drinks that look fancy but are totally doable at home!

More Awesome Cocktails from Las Vegas

Discovered in Las Vegas, this Queen’s Garden is just the beginning—be sure to check out the travel post for even more must-sip cocktails experienced during my trip.

Sharing is caring! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Quick links are to the left and at the bottom of the post.