Exquisitely flavored, easy to prepare, and uplifting to imbibe, the elderflower gin and tonic is truly the perfect summer elixir. This cocktail is simply a floral take on the classic, but oh what a sublime variation it is. And when served in a Copa glass, the botanicals in the gin swirl together with the enchanting fragrance of the elderflower to deliver a veritable treasure trove of heady aromas each time you bring the glass to your lips. It's almost like breathing in the scent of a whole spring meadow with every sip. If I had to choose a desert island drink, the elderflower gin and tonic would have to be it.
Ingredients for an Elderflower Gin and Tonic
- gin
- elderflower liqueur
- lime juice
- tonic water
- ice
- lime wedge or wheel (for garnish)
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Fill a Copa glass (or highball style glass) with ice about halfway up.
Add the gin.
Then add the elderflower liqueur.
Next add the lime juice.
Stir briefly.
Finally, add the tonic water.
Garnish with lime and serve immediately.
Hint: A highball glass works just fine for this cocktail (and I have thoroughly enjoyed many an elderflower gin and tonic in such a vessel), but a Copa glass makes a noticeable difference in the experience. And it's for the better. With its wide balloon shape, the Copa captures the botanicals in the gin along with the fragrance of the elderflower and the lime, providing an intensely refreshing drinking experience. And since the Copa has a stem, the ice also melts more slowly.
Ingredient Notes
- The Gin - I enjoy The Botanist here, but good old Tanqueray or Beefeater are a couple of other solid options for this cocktail. Whatever brand you choose, I suggest going for London Dry style.
- The Elderflower Liqueur - I recommend St. Germain.
- The Tonic - Quality tonic water is key, and I love Fever-Tree. It's made with natural ingredients, tastes incredibly clean, and comes in several tantalizing varieties. The elderflower variety is absolutely wonderful in this drink.
Top tip
The citrus is not just for garnish here. A generous amount of lime juice is essential to this cocktail, delivering a tart counterpoint to the floral sweetness of the elderflower liqueur and providing some necessary balance. So if you are serving this drink for a crowd, make sure that you have an abundance of juicy limes on hand.
📖 Recipe
Elderflower Gin and Tonic
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- ½ ounce elderflower liqueur
- ½ ounce lime juice (about half a lime)
- 6 or 7 ounces tonic water
- ice
- lime wedge or wheel (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a Copa glass (or highball style glass) with ice about half way up.
- Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lime juice. Stir briefly.
- Add the tonic water.
- Garnish with lime and serve immediately.
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