This Gin Elderflower Cocktail Recipe is a twist on the Elderflower Aviation. Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, and Maraschino liqueur create a delicious sweet and floral drink. An egg white adds a creaminess to the drink and creates a beautiful foam and makes this cocktail not only pretty but delicious too!
How to make a Gin Elderflower Cocktail.
Gather all of your ingredients first and prepare your cocktail glass with water and ice so it's nice and cold. Add all of the ingredients to the cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake for 20-30 seconds. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again for another 20-30 seconds. Empty the ice water from the cocktail glass and double strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a cherry and lemon peel and serve immediately.
What is elderflower liqueur?
Elderflower Liqueur is a sweet and floral liqueur that can be enjoyed on its own or in a delicious cocktail. This liqueur is made from elderflowers which have their own unique scent and taste. The most common brand of elderflower liqueur is St-Germain. St-Germain is delicious and can be found at most liquor stores. It is a little more expensive than some liqueurs so if you don't want to spend too much, there are less expensive alternatives available.
What is Maraschino Liqueur?
Maraschino liqueur is a sweet, cherry-flavored liqueur that is made from Marasca cherries which are originally from Croatia. This liqueur is made with the pits as well as the fruit so there is a slight undertone of almond as well. It's definitely a different taste than a cherry-flavored vodka or some other liqueur so be careful when making a purchase. I usually use Luxardo or Maraska brand but there are a few others out there as well.
What gin to use for this drink.
There are so many different kinds of gin out there and you can certainly use whatever gin you prefer. Because this drink has the floral element from the elderflower liqueur, I would suggest using a more botanical gin like Aviation or Aria (both originally from Portland, OR).
You can make this cocktail more or less sweet.
Not everybody loves a super sweet cocktail. The lemon juice and gin help balance the sweetness from the elderflower and maraschino liqueurs, but this cocktail is still on the sweeter side. If you want less sweet, add more lemon juice or gin. You can also use the lemon peel and squeeze the peel on the rim to add a sour element and bring out more of the lemon taste. If you like sweet, you can add more maraschino or elderflower liqueur.
How to garnish this beautiful cocktail.
A lemon twist or peel and a cocktail cherry make a great garnish for this cocktail. If you want to be fancy, play around with different shapes for your lemon peel. Use a sharp paring knife or a razor blade to create some cocktail art. Below you can see my experiments. I am by no means an expert, but it was fun to try!
The best cocktail cherry to use is a Luxardo or Amarena cherry. They are sweet, firm, and have a special flavor you can't get from a regular maraschino cherry. These can be a little expensive at the store, but, you can make your own! Check out my Amarena Cherry recipe to see how!
Gin Elderflower Cocktail
Equipment
- fine mesh cocktail strainer
- toothpick for garnish (optional)
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces Gin of choice (I used Aria gin)
- ¾ ounces fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounces maraschino liqueur (I used Luxardo)
- ½ ounces elderflower liqueur (I used St-Germain)
- 1 large egg white
- cocktail cherry garnish
- lemon peel garnish
Instructions
- First, gather all of the ingredients and prepare your cocktail glass with water and ice so it's nice and cold.
- Add all of the ingredients (not garnishes) in the cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake for 20-30 seconds. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again for another 20-30 seconds.
- Empty the ice water from the cocktail glass and double strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a cherry and lemon peel and serve immediately.
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Make your own Luxardo or Amarena Cherries!
If you have purchased or shopped for Luxardo or Amarena cherries, you know they are a little spendy. I believe it worth the investment for a craft cocktail, however, you can also make your own for the fraction of the cost. Check out my post on how to make your own Homemade Luxardo Cherries soaked in liqueur. There is also a quick recipe for homemade Amarena cherries as well!
More Delicious Cocktail Recipes:
- Lilac Gin Cocktail
- The Last Word Cocktail
- Frozen Strawberry Coconut Margaritas
- Black Walnut Bitters Recipes
- The Modern Negroni Cocktail Recipe
Did you make this Gin Elderflower Cocktail Recipe?
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Clara says
You mentioned to add water, a bit confused about this part - how much? Could you please clarify. Thanks!
Emily says
My apologies for the confusion! The water and ice are to make the cocktail glass nice and cold before you shake the ingredients. Once you are ready with the cocktail, you will pour out the ice water and strain the cocktail into the nice chilled glass. This will help keep your cocktail cold longer. I hope that makes sense but feel free to reach out again!
Lilly Holleran says
So good I made this for my boyfriend and bestfriend to try as a recipe for our friendsgiving this weekend, both rate 10/10! I can't wait to make these cocktails for all my guests!
Emily says
Lilly, that makes me so happy to hear. Have a fun celebration with your guests!
Oriana says
Beautiful and delicious! Thank you.
Emily says
You are welcome, I'm so glad you enjoyed this cocktail!
Debra says
What a fun summer cocktail!
Chef Dennis says
I made your cocktail for my wife last night and she loved it! Thanks for the great drink idea!
Emily says
I'm so glad your wife liked this cocktail!
Marina says
Such a refreshing drink, love elderflower I’m the cocktails. Great recipe and so easy to make
Amy says
These cocktails were a hit! Had a couple of friends over and they really enjoyed it. Thanks!
Alexandra says
Such an elegant cocktail - and so delicious. Cheers!
Kathryn Donangelo says
This cocktail is so delicious and refreshing! Perfect for happy hour at home 🙂
Leslie says
I've never seen a recipe like this. I LOVE the creativity in this!
Andréa Janssen says
Such a delicious cocktail for summer evenings. Cheers!
Sue says
I'm so happy I found this! I stock elderflower liqueur and needed more variety in how I use it. Thank you!
Emily says
I agree elderflower liqueur is a good staple to have in your home bar. I hope you enjoy this cocktail!
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
I love anything elderflower and this cocktail looks great! Gonna have to try it this weekend!
Trina says
This looks scrumptious. Wonder if it would be good with vodka? I’m allergic to juniper and have a bad reaction to gin.
Emily says
You could absolutely use vodka! It would taste slightly different but you get more of the elderflower and lemon I think. I hope you try it!