Elderflower Gin Cocktail

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The perfect twist on a classic, this elderflower gin cocktail is refreshing and bursting with the summer flavors.

Are you looking for new ways of dealing with an open bottle of elderflower syrup or liqueur? Or maybe you happen to have a bottle of gin somewhere in the cupboard? Mix the two, add some lemon juice and tonic water, and you will have the most flavorful elderflower gin cocktail you can imagine.

Elderflower is excellent in terms of aroma and flavor, and it just makes better anything you add it to. So if you like a regular gin and tonic, you will love this version.

And maybe you would like to learn how to make Elderflower Gin. Then, you can use that to make many other cocktails as well. Or stay alcohol-free and make Elderflower Tea.

What do you need?

• Gin: This time, I happened to have an opened, rather expensive small bottle we bought at a market last summer. It was terrific, but most of the time, I have something more common like London Dry Gin.
• Elderflower liqueur or syrup: I use my homemade syrup because I make it every year. You can use St Germain liqueur instead; it tastes fantastic and is not overly sweet.
• Tonic water: buy a good brand, the water makes most of the drink, so it should be something good.
• Lemon: about 2 tablespoons for each drink; add more or less to taste. Plus some lemon wedges for serving.
• Ice cubes: preferably larger cubes, they will melt more slowly.

How to make a gin cocktail with elderflower?

1. Add ice cubes to the glass.
2. Squeeze some lemon juice over the ice.
3. Pour spirit and syrup or liqueur.
4. Top with tonic water. For a regular gin and tonic, you will probably use less tonic water, but in this case, you also have syrup or liqueur, which are sweet. So that is why it’s advisable to add a bit more tonic water.
5. Garnish with lemon wedges and, if desired, a couple of small mint or lemon balm leaves.

Variations:

• Use lime juice instead of lemon.
• Add a couple of thinly sliced cucumber slices to each glass.
• Add a few bruised fresh mint leaves.
• For a different flavor, use other kinds of syrups or liqueurs. For example, I love to make this elderflower gin cocktail with Lemon Balm or Mint Syrup.

Tips

• Chill the glasses before using them; they will keep the drink colder for longer. Then, place them in the freezer for about 20 minutes before stirring the cocktail.
• The spirit and liqueur/syrup should be chilled as well.
• Use larger ice cubes; they will take longer to melt.
• Add lemon juice to taste. I love a tangier drink, so I tend to add more than my husband, for example.

More drinks:

• Gooseberry Gin
• Gin Mojito (with Mint)
• Rhubarb and Ginger Gin
• Creme de Cassis Recipe (Black Currant Liqueur)
• Honey Liqueur
• Thermomix Baileys