I’ve been a little obsessed with elderflower lately – seriously, it’s become my unofficial theme for the season – and this martini has totally taken over my weekends. That first sip gets me every time: the floral notes feel like wandering through a sunlit garden in the middle of spring.
My first attempt at this cocktail was honestly an experiment. I had friends coming over for dinner, and I’d just bought a bottle of elderflower liqueur on a whim (I’m a sucker for pretty bottles at the liquor store). I figured, why not try making a cocktail with it? It turned out so well that now it’s the drink everyone asks for when they come over – my accidental “house special.”
Strength & Profile
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What I love about the Elderflower Martini is the way it feels fancy without trying too hard. It’s got that classic martini backbone, but the elderflower brings in this soft sweetness – nothing too sugary, just a gentle hint of honey and pear and something almost perfumey, in the best possible way. It somehow bridges the gap between show-off dinner party drink and lazy afternoon sipper on the porch.
If you’ve never had elderflower before, it’s hard to pin down: there’s a whisper of honey, a little fruitiness (think pear or lychee), and then this unmistakable floral quality that’s both delicate and totally addictive. Trust me, you’ll know it when you taste it.
Ingredients & What You’ll Need
- 2 ounces gin (choose something on the smoother side – not too junipery)
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur (I like St-Germain, but any good elderflower will do)
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Lemon twist, for garnish
- Ice cubes
- Martini glass or coupe (go ahead and chill it in the freezer if you’re feeling extra)
Shake Things Up
- First off: chill your glass. I like to pop mine in the freezer while I pull the ingredients together – it makes a difference.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Don’t hold back; the more ice, the colder and smoother your martini.
- Add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Give it a good shake (about 15 seconds or so). My bartender friend once scolded me for over-shaking elderflower cocktails – apparently, you want them ice-cold, but not overly diluted, or you lose those delicate floral notes.
- Strain into your chilled glass (I like to use a fine mesh strainer, because who wants rogue ice chips?).
- Twist a strip of lemon peel over the top to release those magical oils – then run it around the rim before popping it in.
That first sip should hit you with gin’s botanicals, elderflower’s sweet and floral roundness, and just enough citrus from the lemon for contrast. It’s so easy to drink that you almost forget it’s a martini.
I’ve played around with a bunch of twists on this recipe. Swapping in vodka makes it even lighter and lets the elderflower take center stage. If I have cucumber hanging out in the fridge, I’ll muddle a few slices in the shaker before adding the spirits – amazing on a hot day. And for brunch, I’ve been known to top the finished cocktail with a little champagne or prosecco for an “elderflower royale” that disappears alarmingly fast.
Food-wise, this drink is versatile. Last weekend, I served it with goat cheese crostini, and the combo of tangy cheese and floral cocktail was incredible. It’s also a stunner with seafood – smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, pretty much anything you’d want at a celebratory brunch.
Trying to keep the sugar in check? Feel free to use a bit less simple syrup or try honey instead. Elderflower liqueur brings a fair bit of sweetness on its own, so most of the time I don’t even notice if I leave the syrup out.
Bonus points if you want to get fancy: try freezing a few edible flowers into ice cubes and use those to chill the drink. I did this for my sister’s birthday last month and, not going to lie, I think the cocktails ended up in more Instagram stories than she did.
Bottom line: this Elderflower Martini sounds way fancier than it actually is. It’s forgiving, impossibly easy to make, and always a crowd-pleaser – whether you’re making one for yourself after a long day, or a round for friends on the back deck. If you’re ready for a little escape in a glass, give it a go. Your taste buds (and your guests) will thank you.
