Lemon Gin Elderflower Cocktail

My Lemon Elderflower Gin Cocktail is prepared with clear Gin, elderflower syrup, tonic water, and fresh lemon juice.

Jump to:

• 📕 What is Elderflower?
• 🆚 Elderflower Syrup vs St.Germain Liqueur
• 🍹 Ingredients
• 🔪 How to make it?
• 💡 Garnishing Ideas
• 🥂 Serving
• 💭 FAQs
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

📕 What is Elderflower?

Elderflowers are cream-colored small edible flower blossoms that grow on a shrub in bunches before turning into elderberries.

Elderflower and elderberries come from the same plant.

The blossoms of the elderflower are turned into a syrup or so-called elderflower cordial.

Traditionally, we prepare elderflower syrup in late spring when the flowers are in season between the end of May to mid-June.

Elderflowers are known to have cooling properties and taste exceptional, which I can hardly describe, but as a refreshing bouquet of flowers.

When we used to cut hay for the farm in the summer, we would drink elderflower syrup with water to quench our thirst.

🆚 Elderflower Syrup vs St.Germain Liqueur

Some elderflower cocktails are prepared with elderflower liqueur, which is a more recent invention known as St Germain Elderflower liqueur.

In my recipe, you will use elderflower cordial aka elderflower syrup and not the St. Germain liqueur

Hence, why this cocktail recipe with elderflower is not a St. Germain cocktail but instead a light and refreshing floral flavors infused cocktail.

Today's elderflower cocktail is prepared with an elderflower syrup, gin, tonic, and lemon juice.

Botanical flavors come together in a light, crystal clear, well-balanced sparkling cocktail.

🍹 Ingredients

Here is an overview of what you will need to make my lemony elderflower gin cocktail. Detailed US and metric measurements are found further below in the recipe card.

• Gin – I like Hendrick’s Gin or Bombay Sapphire or London dry gin.
• Lemon Juice – should be freshly squeezed lemon juice. As an alternative, use fresh lime juice or another fresh citrus fruit such as grapefruit or blood orange.
• Elderflower Syrup (aka Elderflower cordial) – homemade or store bought. I can recommend Elderflower syrup from Monin.
• Ice Cubes – As many as you want but if you feel it waters down your cocktail, get cocktail ice cube stones instead.
• Tonic Water – to top it off. You can substitute tonic with ginger ale.

🔪 How to make it?

My Elderflower cocktail with lemon and gin is made with this elderflower syrup.

That way the flavors are easily mixed into the cocktail, and you don't need to add any sugar.

Follow the simple steps to prepare this cocktail and find the complete recipe with ingredients and instructions further below.

Step 1

Combine the elderflower syrup with the lemon juice and gin in a cocktail shaker.

Step 2

Shake everything well until well combined.

Pour your elderflower cocktail in a glass.

Step 3

Top up with tonic water (I like to use Fever Tree or Schweppes).

Serve with plenty of ice cubes a slice of lemon and elderflower blossoms if you get some.

💡 Garnishing Ideas

A garnish can take your crystal clear cocktail to a whole new presentation level.

I used fresh elderflower blossoms in my pictures, but they are seasonal (mid-May to mid-June) and hard to come by.

You can also top with a fresh sprig of rosemary, mint leaves or with fresh lemon balm or basil.

An additional lemon or lime wedge, lemon peel or lemon twist add to the aesthetics of this drink.

Another idea is to add cucumber slices to the cocktail decoration. You could also sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper over the cucumber slice to add a light red touch to it and of course some heat.

🥂 Serving

I recommend serving up this gin elderflower in a highball, tumbler, or zombie cocktail glass.

This refreshing drink is great at a garden BBQ party or cookout on a hot summer soirée.

Elderflower cordial is known to cool you down and is great refreshment in the hot summer months.

With this elderflower syrup cocktail, you have a real refreshment which can be turned into a great summer drink crowd pleaser.

💭 FAQs

Dear Reader, did you try this Gin Elderflower cocktail?

📖 Recipe