Elderflower and Blackberry Smash Cocktail Recipe

Refreshing drinks—aren’t they always a treat, especially when you get that mix of fruit and floral? My Elderflower and Blackberry Smash cocktail recipe is a simple way to bring a burst of summer taste to any gathering or just a quiet evening at home.

I honestly love how the sweet elderflower pairs with the tartness of blackberries. The result is balanced and crisp, which is exactly what I want on a hot day.

With just a few easy steps, you can whip up this cocktail using fresh ingredients and some basic tools. Nothing complicated here.

Elderflower and Blackberry Smash Cocktail Recipe

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This recipe brings together the floral flavor of elderflower and the rich taste of blackberries. I stick with fresh ingredients for a cocktail that’s both refreshing and nice to look at.

John

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Serving Size 1

Equipment

• Shaker: I use a standard cocktail shaker—it chills and mixes everything fast.
• Muddler: For crushing the blackberries and mint leaves to really get those flavors out.
• Jigger: Helps me measure spirits and syrup so I don’t go overboard.
• Fine mesh strainer: To catch seeds and mint bits, because nobody wants those in their glass.
• Glassware: Rocks glass or highball glass works best, in my opinion.
• Cocktail spoon: For those final gentle stirs.
• Ice: I usually go for medium or large cubes—they melt slower, so the drink stays cold but not watery.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin or vodka I lean toward gin for that floral note
• 1 oz elderflower liqueur St-Germain is my go-to
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 6-8 fresh blackberries
• 5-6 fresh mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• Club soda to top
• Fresh blackberries and mint sprig for garnish

Instructions

• Put the blackberries and mint leaves in your shaker. I muddle them gently—enough to break them up and get the juices flowing, but not so much you end up with mush.
• Add gin (or vodka), elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
• Fill the shaker with ice. Shake it up for about 15 seconds—just until it’s nice and cold.
• Strain the mix through a fine mesh strainer into a glass filled with fresh ice. This keeps things smooth.
• Top with club soda. Give it a gentle stir with your cocktail spoon.
• Garnish with a couple more blackberries, a mint sprig, and a lemon wheel if you want to get fancy.

Notes

I find ripe blackberries give the drink a deeper flavor and a better color. Sometimes blackberries aren’t sweet enough, so I just add a little more simple syrup.

Chilling the glass ahead of time helps the cocktail stay cold longer. For parties, I make a batch in a big pitcher, then add the club soda right before serving—makes life easier.

If I want a less floral taste, I swap gin for vodka. Changing up the amount of club soda lets me tweak how light or strong the drink ends up. I always taste and adjust before serving, just to be sure.

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Tasting Notes

First thing I notice when I take a sip is the gentle floral aroma. The elderflower liqueur brings in this sweet, perfumed smell that’s honestly just light and fresh.

The first taste is a little tart—thanks to the blackberries. As I keep sipping, the elderflower’s sweetness starts to balance things out, so you get both fruity and floral notes in every sip.

The texture’s smooth, almost velvety. Blackberries add a bit of body, while the sparkling water gives a soft fizz.

The finish is clean, not overly sweet. The elderflower lingers, and the blackberry flavor just sort of fades away. I like how the flavors play together without any one of them taking over.

Flavor Highlights

• Aroma: Floral and fresh
• Taste: Tart blackberries, sweet elderflower
• Texture: Smooth, with a hint of fizz
• Finish: Light, with lingering floral notes

Honestly, this cocktail tastes best when it’s cold and crisp. If you can get your hands on good, fresh blackberries, use them—they really make a difference.

Substitute

Sometimes I just don’t have every ingredient at home. When that happens, I try these substitutes:

• Elderflower liqueur: If I run out, I’ll grab St-Germain, or even elderflower syrup if I’m aiming for a non-alcoholic twist.
• Blackberries: Raspberries or blueberries are totally fine if blackberries are missing from my fridge.
• Gin: Vodka or white rum change things up, but honestly, they still taste pretty good.
• Lemon juice: Lime juice is a simple swap if I’m feeling like a slightly different flavor.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Muddler
• Strainer
• Glass

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin (or vodka/white rum)
• 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur (or elderflower syrup)
• 0.5 cup blackberries (or raspberries/blueberries)
• 0.5 oz lemon juice (or lime juice)
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Ice

Instructions

• Muddle the berries right in the shaker.
• Add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a good handful of ice.
• Shake it up for about 15 seconds. Not too long, not too short.
• Strain everything into a glass over fresh ice.
• If I feel like it, I’ll garnish with a few whole berries or maybe a lemon wheel.