sparkling elderflower gin cocktail

This sparkling elderflower gin cocktail is a delicate, floral, spritzy drink that’s perfect for a weekend brunch or early aperitif. It's so simple and fresh. And I really love how light the drink is, especially right now in the dredges of winter. It's a refreshing sparkling cocktail that everyone will love.

what kind of sparkling wine works with elderflower liqueur?

A fruity Charmat Method sparkling wine is the best fit for this cocktail (and for elderflower liqueur in general). They're fruit forward and filled with flavors of tree fruit, white flowers and citrus. Prosecco is the most popular of these sparkling wines, and it's the perfect match for this elderflower cocktail!

On the other hand, traditional method sparkling wines (such as Champagne or Cava) will add yeasty, toasty, brioche notes to the drink. These complex notes are delicious, but they may get lost in the drink. I prefer to enjoy these sparkling wines on their own or in a very simple drink (like this champagne cocktail). And the traditional method sparkling wines are a lot more expensive, too.

And of course, use your favorite gin here. The flavors will really shine with the fresh lemon and honeyed elderflower liqueur. If you don’t like gin, vodka can also be used for a lighter flavor.

what is elderflower liqueur?

Elderflower liqueur, such as St Germain, is a mix of eau de vie (unaged brandy), neutral grain spirit, sugar, and an elderflower infusion. The infusion is made by macerating fresh elderflowers in warm water. This method extracts the intense aroma of the flowers. The elderflower harvest happens every spring, then the flowers are quickly transported and processed for the best flavor. The floral infusion is blended with alcohol and sugar to create a balanced liqueur, then it is bottled.

Elderflower liqueur is a delicate, sweet, floral liqueur that has flavors reminiscent of lychees, pears and honey. 

what flavors go with elderflower liqueur?

Elderflower liqueur pairs especially well with citrus, fresh fruit and herbs. I love to use it in light, zesty cocktails to balance out the sweetness and floral notes. 

Below are a few ideas of flavor pairings:

• fresh citrus: grapefruit, lemon, lime, blood orange
• stone fruit: peach, nectarine, plum, apricot
• melon: honeydew, watermelon, cantaloupe
• berries: strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, cranberry
• fresh herbs: basil, thyme, mint, rosemary
• alcohol: gin, vodka, unaged tequila, cachaça, pisco and sparkling wine are great blending options

Mix and match a few flavors that sound good and have fun!

more sparkling cocktails to try!

sparkling raspberry basil shrub cocktail

grand marnier grapefruit mimosa

classic champagne cocktail

rosemary lemon sgroppino

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