Elderflower Martini Cocktail Recipe

The Elderflower Martini takes your standard Gin Martini recipe and adds touches of St-Germain Elderflower liqueur and lime. The citrus and herb notes of the traditional martini are rounded out by the full-bodied light sweetness of the elderflower.

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This is a drink to enjoy while relaxing, even if only for a few minutes. St. Germain is best when sipped slowly, so you can take in all the nuances. If you’re finding it hard to unwind, this drink can help.

Flavor Profile

It’s hard to say what the dominant flavor is in this drink. The taste of the elderflower liqueur and the gin hit first, but then comes the lime juice.

The Elderflower Martini has notes of flower from the elderflower liqueur and herbs from the gin, followed by the bright and tart lime.

This drink is slightly more tart than sweet. That makes the sweetness delicious and enjoyable, but not overwhelming.

The small amount of vermouth gets lost in the shuffle. As with the dry martini recipe, this one calls for you to swish the vermouth around in the glass at the very first step, and then throw it out. That way, it only adds a tiny amount to the actual drink.

But it enhances all the other flavors – even just that tiny amount.  It adds a tiny hint of bitterness, which rounds out all the other flavors.

The Ingredients

Choosing the Right Gin

The gin you use plays a big role in shaping the flavor of your Elderflower Martini. Since this cocktail combines floral and citrus notes with herbal undertones, selecting a gin that complements these flavors is important.

A classic London dry gin works well due to its crisp and juniper-forward profile. However, you can also experiment with gins that have additional botanicals like coriander, citrus peel, or even floral hints to enhance the elderflower liqueur.

Avoid overly sweet or strongly flavored gins, as they may overpower the delicate elderflower and lime. If you want a softer, more balanced drink, try a gin with a lighter botanical mix.

St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

St-Germain is the most popular elderflower liqueur and is known for its natural floral aroma and light sweetness. In this cocktail, it adds that signature elderflower flavor without making the drink overly sweet.

Its floral notes pair nicely with the herbal gin and bright lime juice.

Lime Juice

Lime juice brings brightness and acidity to the Elderflower Martini. It cuts through the sweetness of the elderflower liqueur and highlights the herbal notes of the gin. Freshly squeezed lime juice is best because bottled lime juice often contains preservatives that can affect the taste.

If you prefer a slightly less tart drink, you can reduce the lime juice slightly, but be careful not to lose that fresh citrus zing that helps balance this cocktail.

Vermouth

Dry vermouth is a classic ingredient in martinis, but in this recipe, it’s used very sparingly – just a quick swirl in the glass before pouring out. This technique leaves behind a faint coating that adds complexity without making the drink taste like vermouth.

The tiny hint of bitterness from vermouth helps round out the flavors and prevents the cocktail from becoming too sweet or one-dimensional. If you want to be more traditional, you can add a splash of vermouth directly into the mixing glass with the other ingredients.

Serving Tips & Suggestions

This is also a great cocktail to serve to guests. You can easily prep your glasses with vermouth in advance and make a pitcher of the drink itself.

Note that this recipe calls for stirring rather than shaking. Many people prefer shaken martinis, probably because it’s what James Bond orders and we’ve gotten used to hearing it.

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But shaking bruises the spirits and loses a lot of flavor. So if you like less flavor in your martini drinks, go ahead and shake everything together in a cocktail shaker.

You’ll find stirring brings out all the complexity, with all those delicious and fascinating notes. It’s like a symphony in your mouth.

Garnishes That Work Well

A classic garnish for any martini is a lemon twist or an olive. For an Elderflower Martini, a lemon twist works best because it enhances the citrus notes without adding extra sweetness.

You can also try garnishing with an edible flower or a thin slice of cucumber for a fresh look and subtle aroma that pairs well with elderflower. Avoid heavy garnishes that overpower the light flavors.

Making a Batch for Parties

The Elderflower Martini is easy to prepare in larger quantities if you’re hosting guests. Pre-swirling glasses with vermouth ahead of time saves you a step when serving.

Mix the gin, St-Germain, and lime juice together in a pitcher filled with ice. Stir well to chill and dilute slightly before straining into your prepared glasses. This approach lets you serve drinks quickly while keeping them fresh and flavorful.

Pairing Suggestions for Food

This cocktail pairs well with light appetizers and snacks. Think fresh seafood like shrimp cocktail or smoked salmon. Light cheeses such as goat cheese or brie also match nicely with the floral and citrus flavors, so this drink is great with a cheeseboard.

Avoid heavy or spicy foods that could overpower the drink’s delicate balance. Salads with citrus dressings or simple vegetable crudités are good choices if you want something lighter.

Variations to Try

• Elderflower Martini with Cucumber: Muddle a few cucumber slices in the mixing glass before adding ice and other ingredients for a refreshing twist.
• Sparkling Elderflower Martini: Top off your finished martini with a splash of sparkling water or soda for some fizz.
• Herbal Twist: Add a small sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary into the mixing glass to bring out herbal undertones.
• Gin Substitute: Try using vodka instead of gin for a cleaner, less herbal base that lets elderflower shine even more.

Tips for Perfecting Your Cocktail

• Use plenty of ice when stirring to ensure your drink is very cold.
• Strain carefully to avoid ice shards in your glass.
• Taste your lime juice before adding to get just the right balance of tartness.
• Don’t rush swirling vermouth around your glass; this small step adds more than you might expect.
• Always use fresh ingredients when possible for best flavor.

Related Cocktails

If you enjoy the Elderflower Martini, check out some other St. Germain cocktails! The March Rain blends St. Germain with tequila, Domaine de Canton Ginger Liqueur, Fernet Branca and more for a taste that’s kind of like sweetened coffee, but with a lot more going on.

The Summer Heat also blends St. Germain with Canton Ginger, but adds Eppa SupraFruta White Sangria for a wonderful taste of wine and fruit.