I first discovered the magic of a St. Germain cocktail at a summer garden party, and honestly, it was love at first sip. I still remember the laughter, the dappled sunlight, and the way that first taste seemed to bottle up the whole afternoon – floral, fizzy, and just a bit indulgent. If you haven’t tried one yet, do yourself a favor!
St. Germain cocktails have unofficially become my signature drink whenever I have people over. They’re the perfect balance of impressive and totally doable. Those delicate elderflower notes really do taste like a sunny spring day, and – bonus – they pair with practically anything you’d put out on a snack board.
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There’s a fun bit of history behind this drink, too. St. Germain liqueur only came on the scene in 2007, thanks to Robert Cooper, who named it after the bohemian St. Germain-des-Prés neighborhood in Paris. He was inspired by wild elderflowers from the French Alps, and it actually takes about 1,000 blossoms to make each bottle. Bartenders sometimes call it “bartender’s ketchup” because it perks up so many cocktails – honestly, I find myself splashing it into everything from sparkling wine to gin and tonics.
What keeps me coming back, though, is its versatility. It’s fancy enough for a celebration, but not too fussy for brunch with friends or a lazy evening on the porch. The flavor is subtly sweet, floral, and a little citrusy – refreshing without that heavy boozy punch some cocktails have.
Here’s How I Like to Make It:
- 1.5 ounces St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- 2 ounces Champagne or sparkling wine (prosecco is my budget-friendly choice)
- 2 ounces club soda
- Lemon twist for garnish
I love serving this in a champagne flute because it shows off all those tiny bubbles. That said, if it’s just a low-key Saturday, I’ll use a tall glass with plenty of ice. Up to you!
To assemble:
- Fill your glass with ice – don’t skimp, it keeps everything crisp.
- Pour in the St. Germain.
- Add your bubbly (again, prosecco totally works).
- Top with club soda.
- Give it a gentle stir – seriously, don’t go wild, or you’ll lose those gorgeous bubbles.
- Finish with a lemon twist.
A funny story: The first time I mixed a batch for friends, someone mentioned they weren’t drinking alcohol. I improvised a non-alcoholic version by swapping the liqueur for elderflower syrup and using sparkling water all the way. My pregnant friend said it made her feel part of the celebration, which made my night.
Pro tip I’ve picked up: Chill the glasses before making this, especially if you’re outside in warm weather. A cold glass keeps your cocktail perfect right down to the last sip. And feel free to play with garnishes – sometimes I’ll add a few fresh raspberries or a sprig of mint, or (when I’m feeling extra) a tiny bit of lavender.
Food-wise, this drink loves lighter bites. Brie or goat cheese, fresh berries or peaches, and even grilled lemon chicken skewers have all been hits at my place. The combo is always a crowd-pleaser.
Want to riff on the classic? I sometimes add a splash of gin and muddle a cucumber slice for a garden-fresh twist, or play with grapefruit juice and a bit of rosemary when I’m craving something different.
St. Germain cocktails feel like a celebration, no matter the occasion. Even just sitting on the porch after a long week, this drink feels like a treat. The liqueur itself is a bit of a splurge, but it lasts forever and totally earns its space in my bar cart. Here’s to making any day feel a little more festive!
