Named after the quintessential Fleetwood Mac song, “Dreams,” our Dreams Cocktail, Inspired by Stevie Nicks, is the 19th cocktail in our 2023 Summer Concert Cocktail Series. This beauty is an upscale version of a Gin and Tonic, with a lime simple syrup for a touch of zest.

What Makes this Gin Cocktail Change Color?

The Empress 1908 Gin in this cocktail is a beautiful blue-indigo color, but when you add the tonic into it, it will change into a lighter magenta. The tonic changes the gin’s pH balance, which in turn changes the color of the gin’s pigments. When you mix it with tonic water, which has a low pH, the gin’s color changesy. For example, gin infused with butterfly pea flowers can change from blue to a delicate purple or pink color, like this gin cocktail does. The way gin changes color makes for a fun party trick, and also represents Stevie Nicks’s versatility as an artist. Though she’s changed up her style and musicianship over the years, like gin, she’s never sacrificed quality.

Print

Dreams Cocktail, Inspired by Stevie Nicks

---

• Author: Sarah Cascone

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cocktail

• 1 ½ oz Empress 1908 Gin, chilled
• 3 oz tonic, chilled
• ½ oz lime simple syrup, chilled (recipe below)
• Garnish: Lime wheel, orchid flowers, and dry ice

For the Lime Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup fresh squeezed lime juice (4-5 limes, be sure to pick bright green limes without brown spots)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

For the Cocktail 

1. Pour chilled gin into a coupe glass.
2. Add in tonic slowly (this will change the color).
3. Now add in lime simple syrup and stir with a bar spoon.
4. Add a lime wheel to the glass rim and place an orchid against the side of the lime wheel inside the cocktail.
5. Optional step: Using metal cocktail tongs, add in 1 to 2 small pieces of dry ice to get a bubbling smoke effect. Before enjoying, make sure the dry ice has completely melted or remove any remaining pieces.

For the Lime Simple Syrup

1. Wash the outside of the limes under cool water.
2. Juice the limes until you have ½ cup of juice.
3. Set the lime halves aside as you will use them later.
4. Place the sugar and water in a small saucepan. Add in the lime juice. Heat the syrup on medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
5. Remove from the heat and add the juiced lime halves into the lime syrup.
6. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the limes steep for 1 hour.
7. Strain the lime syrup into a container through fine mesh strainer. Let the limes drain and squeeze them to get as much juice out of them as possible.
8. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, then pour it into a jar. The Lime Simple Syrup will keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks or if you add a tablespoon of vodka or rum it will last longer.

Recipe by Sarah Cascone / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce / Story by Star Laliberte

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition

Our Summer Baby, Low Carb Cocktail, inspired by the Jonas Brothers’ recent pop hit, is the 18th cocktail in our 2023 Summer Concert Series. An appropriate title for a cocktail that, like the song lyrics state, “feels like summer.”

Tips for Making a Low-Carb Cocktail

We’ve used a zero sugar version of sprite in this cocktail, so if you’re considering making a cocktail a little healthier, look for the no-sugar version of your favorite soda. Also, make sure you’re opting for spirits with no added sugars. Good choices include vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and whiskey. Instead of adding sugary components, consider infusing spirits with low-carb, delicious fruits like raspberries or blueberries. Or, use simple syrup with honey like we have. Low-carb doesn’t have to mean cutting out the fun!

Summer Baby, a Low-Carb Jonas Brothers Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 oz Ketel One Vodka
• 1 or 2 oz (based on preference) Ketel One Peach and Orange Blossom Vodka
• 2 oz honey peach Simple Syrup (recipe below)
• 1/3 tsp Wicked Blue Citrus Mio
• 4-6 oz Zero Sugar Sprite
• Crushed ice
• Garnish: lemon wheel and tiny clothespin

Instructions

1. Add crushed ice to your cocktail shaker.
2. Pour in the vodkas, honey peach simple syrup, wicked blue, and citrus Mio.
3. Shake vigorously until ice crystals form on the shaker.
4. Pour into a Collins glass half filled with crushed ice and finish with zero sugar Sprite. Add your lemon wheel with a tiny clothespin. 

Honey Peach Simple Syrup

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• 3 large peaches
• ½ cup honey (can add more if you like it sweeter)

Instructions

1. Cut the peaches, remove the pit, then dice the peaches into small cubes.
2. In a small saucepan, add the water and diced peaches and bring to a soft boil.
3. Remove from heat and add the honey.
4. Allow mixture to steep, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes.
5. Strain your syrup using a fine mesh strainer to remove all solids. Discard all solids.
6. This Honey Peach Simple Syrup will keep in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks or if you add a tablespoon of vodka or rum it will last longer.

• Try these other cocktails in our Summer Concert Series
• Rio Cocktail, Inspired by Duran Duran
• You Proof Cocktail, Inspired by Morgan Wallen
• Forever Young Cocktail, Inspired by Rod Stewart
• Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset Cocktail, Inspired by Luke Bryan
• Appetite for Destruction, Inspired by Guns N’ Roses
• Like a Virgin and Material Girl: 2 Cocktails Inspired by Madonna
• Prickly Pear Lemonade and Queen B: 2 Cocktails Inspired by Beyoncé
• So What Cocktail, Inspired by Pink
• Baker’s Dozen Cocktail, Inspired by Phish
• Man, I Feel Like a Woman Cocktail, Inspired by Shania Twain
• Sunflower Cocktail, Inspired by Post Malone
• Typical Average Cocktail, Inspired by Ed Sheeran
• Crush Cocktail, Inspired by Dave Matthews Band
• Summer’s In Your Blood Cocktail, Inspired by Boygenius
• Lover Cocktail, Inspired by Taylor Swift

Recipe by Sarah Cascone / Styling by Anna Calabrese / Photography by Dave Bryce

Subscribe to TABLE Magazine‘s print edition.