Elderflower Martinis: An Elevated Take on a Classic

Botanical drinks used to be incredibly popular, though they've fallen out of favor with modern average drinkers who often prefer richer, less floral brews. That being said, elderflower is definitely making a comeback with craft cocktail makers; but, if you don't have an extensive mixology background and are unsure how to add florals into your drink mixes, you can easily sate your botanical kick with these six elderflower martini recipes.

What Is Elderflower?

Elderflower is a type of flowering plant that grows in western Europe and parts of North America, and its fresh, green flavor is often used to create syrups, teas, and liqueurs. In terms of cocktail making, the most common way to add elderflower to a drink is by using elderflower liqueur, with St. Germain being the most popular brand of choice.

Elderflower Martini

This elderflower martini recipe harnesses the small white flower's flavor with its use of elderflower liqueur, and combines it with lemon juice, gin, and vermouth.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 ounce St. Germain's elderflower liqueur
• 1 ounce gin
• Splash dry vermouth
• Ice
• Lemon peel for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, gin, and vermouth.
2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a martini glass.
4. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Sour Elderflower Martini

An easy way to cut at the floral flavors in a regular elderflower martini is to add some bitters or citrus to your concoction, like the way that sour elderflower martini recipe does.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Dash orange bitters
• 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
• 1 ounce gin
• Ice
• Lemon wedge for garnish
• Elderflower for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, orange bitters, elderflower liqueur, and gin.
2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with some elderflower and a lemon wedge.

Spring Bloom Martini

What better time to enjoy a peachy elderflower martini then when spring is in full bloom?

Ingredients

• ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
• 2 ounces peach vodka
• Ice

Instructions

1. In a mixing glass, combine the elderflower liqueur and peach vodka.
2. Add ice and stir.
3. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.

Elderflower Pear Martini

While elderflower is normally reserved for liqueurs and syrups, the famous liquor brand, Absolut, has their own custom pear and elderflower vodka that makes for a delicious martini.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• 1½ ounces Absolut Juice Pear & Elderflower
• Ice
• Club Soda
• Elderflower for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, and Absolut.
2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a wine glass filled with ice.
4. Top with club soda.
5. Garnish with some elderflower.

Mint and Elderflower Martini

Bring the entire backyard to your table with this mint and elderflower martini that combines mint simple syrup, elderflower liqueur, and gin.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce mint simple syrup
• 1 ounce St. Germain's elderflower liqueur
• 2 ounces gin
• Ice
• 5 mint leaves for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the mint simple syrup, elderflower liqueur, and gin.
2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a wine glass.
4. Garnish with a few mint leaves.

Elderflower Tea-tini

Currently, one of the most popular ways that people enjoy elderflower is through elderflower tea, and this tea-tini transforms your regular tea recipe into a delicious martini.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces freshly brewed elderflower tea
• ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
• 1 ounce gin
• Elderflower for garnish

Instructions

1. In a tea cup, combine the tea, liqueur, and gin.
2. Stir together.
3. Garnish with some elderflower flowers.

Ways to Garnish an Elderflower Martini

Elderflowers are small and delicate, and they're drinks that deserve appropriately dainty garnishes. Here are some airy and intricate ideas to get you started:

• The elderflower has small white petals that are perfect to top off a drink with.
• Thinly sliced lemon or lime peels add some depth to any of these botanical drinks.
• Other herbs and plants like lavender, sage, and thyme compliment the woodsy aesthetic of these floral martinis.
• Large dried flowers like orchids, roses, and daisies are perfect for adding a feminine touch to your elderflower drinks.

A Lesson in Mother Nature's Mixology

It may seem odd to use botanicals in cocktails because society has attributed a certain connotation to these ingredients, forcing them have a purely aesthetic purpose in the modern age. However, looking back hundreds of years, you can see how commonly plants were used to add depth and flavor to various dishes and drinks, such as the beautifully named butterfly cocktail. In honor of that legacy, try out one of these elderflower martinis and see what you think.