Looking for a cocktail that tastes delicious AND has some wow-factor? Your search is over! My Layered Gin Pineapple, made with lemon and pineapple juice, muddled mint and simple syrup, is refreshing down to the last drop. Plus, it’s color changing. YUP – you read right: color changing.

Seriously, it doesn’t get much cooler than this.

The secret ingredient and one you’ll want to stock in your liquor cabinet ASAP: Epitaph Gin.

Distilled right here in Alberta at Troubled Monk Brewery in Red Deer, this magic gin combines notes of juniper, coriander and lemon zest with butterfly pea blossoms. When the blue-toned gin is mixed with tonic or citrus, it transforms to a bright violet color.

I brought Epitaph Gin to a family dinner at my Mum and Dad’s house a few months back. We were all intrigued by its bright blue color and watched, transfixed, as a glass of clear tonic water transformed into a soft pinky-purple.

When I got a bottle of my own, I knew I wanted to create a layered cocktail recipe to really highlight the gin’s show-stopping color.

I’ve made my Layered Gin Pineapple on five different occasions and, now that I’ve perfected the recipe, I’m so excited to share it with you!

Layered Gin Pineapple Cocktail

Yields 1 cocktail

You’ll need:

• 2 large lemon slices (half a lemon if it’s on the small side)
• 6-9 mint leaves
• 0.5 ounces simple syrup
• 2 ounces fresh (or unsweetened, bottled) pineapple juice
• 2 ounces Epitaph Gin
• Crushed ice
• Fresh pineapple, to garnish
• Purple pansy, to garnish

Directions:

Muddle lemon and mint in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, simple syrup, pineapple juice and shake. Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Layer Epitaph Gin on top (and give a little “oooohhhh” and a little “ahhhhhhhh” as it transforms from blue to purple). Garnish, serve and enjoy!

Cheers to Alberta-Made Liquor Products

A big thank you to Just Add Alberta for providing the Epitaph Gin for this recipe! It’s just one of over 12,000 incredible liquor products being made right here in Alberta.

I’m ALL about supporting local. In fact, before blogging I worked for three years in Professional Communications for our provincial liquor commission. I’ve seen (and tasted!) firsthand some of the incredible products coming out of our 10 wineries and meaderies, 17 distilleries and 121 breweries.

If you have a favourite Alberta product – let me know in the comments below or at chandeliers.and.champagne@outlook.com ! I’m making it a personal goal to reach for Alberta products when trying out new cocktail recipes – like this Prickly Pear Vodka Soda from earlier this summer – and always love new recommendations.

Happy sipping, guys!

Xo Holly

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