Empress 1908 Indigo 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Gin 750ML

Empress 1908 Indigo 0.0 Non-Alcoholic Gin 750ML is a 0.0% ABV non-alcoholic gin alternative from Victoria Distillers in British Columbia, Canada, bottled at 750ml. Its signature indigo hue — derived from butterfly pea blossom — shifts to lavender, pink, or fuchsia when mixed with tonic or citrus, making it one of the most visually distinctive spirit-free options on the market.

Quick Facts: ABV: 0.0%  |  Origin: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada  |  Non-Alcoholic Gin Alternative  |  Producer: Victoria Distillers

Production & Heritage

Victoria Distillers, based on the shores of Sidney, British Columbia, produces Empress 1908 Indigo 0.0 as the alcohol-free counterpart to its award-winning Empress 1908 Gin. Rather than distilling and then dealcoholizing, the 0.0 expression is built from the ground up by blending hand-curated, all-natural botanical flavors — juniper, grapefruit, and butterfly pea flower — with filtered water, a touch of cane sugar, and citric acid. The butterfly pea blossom was originally discovered in a bespoke tea blend created for the historic Fairmont Empress hotel in Victoria, and it remains the botanical signature of the entire Empress 1908 range, contributing both an earthy depth and the spirit's remarkable natural pigmentation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright citrus zest leads the nose, followed by a clean juniper backbone and soft floral undertones from the butterfly pea blossom. There is a subtle herbaceous quality that keeps the aromatics layered without becoming perfumed.

Taste: The palate opens crisp and lively with grapefruit and citrus zest at the entry. Mid-palate, soft botanical complexity emerges alongside a gentle peppery spice. A velvety herbal warmth provides body that many non-alcoholic spirits struggle to achieve, with light cane sugar sweetness keeping everything balanced.

Finish: Clean and moderately lingering, with citrus peel and gentle floral notes trailing off. A faint sweetness rounds out the close without becoming cloying.

How to Drink Empress 0.0

Served over ice with premium tonic water, Empress 0.0 produces a striking color change from deep indigo to soft pink or lavender — a dramatic visual that makes it an ideal centerpiece for alcohol-free entertaining. A squeeze of lemon or lime accelerates the color shift while lifting the citrus character. Three cocktail applications worth trying: a Virgin G&T, where the tonic's quinine bitterness amplifies the juniper and grapefruit botanicals; a Non-Alcoholic Bramble, with blackberry liqueur substitute and lemon juice playing against the floral backbone; and a Spirit-Free French 75, substituting Empress 0.0 for gin and topping with sparkling water or non-alcoholic sparkling wine, where the effervescence highlights the citrus zest.

Best For

• Hosting inclusive dinner parties where some guests prefer alcohol-free drinks
• Dry January or sober-curious exploration without sacrificing visual flair
• Gifting someone who appreciates craft beverages but avoids alcohol
• Creating Instagram-worthy mocktails with a genuine color-changing effect

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Empress 0.0 taste like? Empress 0.0 delivers crisp citrus zest and juniper up front, followed by subtle peppery spice and a velvety herbal warmth, finishing clean with lingering grapefruit and gentle floral notes.

How does Empress 0.0 compare to Lyre's Dry London Spirit? Lyre's Dry London Spirit leans into a drier, more classic London Dry gin profile with a fuller body and notable mouthfeel, while Empress 0.0 distinguishes itself with its butterfly pea flower–driven color-changing ability and a slightly sweeter, more citrus-forward botanical balance.

Is Empress 0.0 good for cocktails? Empress 0.0 works well in mocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails, particularly those where visual presentation matters — the color-changing property creates an interactive experience in drinks mixed with tonic or citrus juice.

Where is Empress 0.0 made? Empress 0.0 is produced by Victoria Distillers, located in Sidney on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada — the same facility that produces the original Empress 1908 Gin.

What foods pair well with Empress 0.0? Smoked salmon canapés complement the citrus and herbal botanicals; fresh goat cheese salads echo the floral character; grilled shrimp with citrus butter mirrors the grapefruit notes; cucumber sandwiches align with the clean, refreshing profile; and lemon tarts accent the citrus finish.

What sizes does Empress 0.0 come in? Empress 1908 Indigo 0.0 is available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Empress 0.0 worth the price? Empress 0.0 positions in the premium tier of non-alcoholic spirits, which is justified by its all-natural botanical blend and the unique butterfly pea flower color-changing feature — a genuine differentiator that most competitors in the category lack.

Why Empress 0.0?

The non-alcoholic spirits category has grown crowded, but Empress 0.0 holds a singular advantage: the butterfly pea blossom color change is not a gimmick layered onto a generic formula — it is rooted in the same Fairmont Empress tea blend that inspired the original gin. That visual drama solves one of the biggest challenges in spirit-free drinking: making the experience feel special rather than substitutional. The botanical profile delivers genuine juniper-and-citrus character with enough body to hold up in mixed drinks, and Good Spirits News awarded it an A- rating. For anyone building a credible non-alcoholic bar, Empress 0.0 fills a role no other product in the category currently occupies.