I love coming up with little twists on classic cocktails. The Elderflower Daiquiri blends the refreshing kick of lime with those delicate, almost ethereal floral notes from elderflower liqueur—it’s light, balanced, and honestly, a breeze to mix up at home.
This one’s perfect if you want a cocktail that’s simple but still manages to impress at a party or even just a random Tuesday night.
What I like most is how the elderflower sneaks in a gentle surprise to the usual daiquiri profile. It’s familiar, but with a twist—kind of like running into an old friend who’s picked up a cool new hobby.
And hey, it doesn’t take much time or any fancy skills. If you’re looking for a drink that’s both easy and a little bit special, the Elderflower Daiquiri is absolutely worth a shot.
Elderflower Daiquiri Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: This is what I use to chill and mix everything together.
- Jigger: Makes measuring the booze a lot easier.
- Citrus juicer: Fresh lime juice is non-negotiable, so I always juice it myself.
- Bar spoon: Handy for gentle stirring if needed.
- Serving glass: I’m partial to a coupe, but any chilled cocktail glass does the trick.
- Fine mesh strainer: Optional, but I’ll grab it if I want a super smooth pour.
- Knife and cutting board: For slicing limes or prepping a garnish.
Ingredients
- 2 oz white rum
- 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur St-Germain is my go-to
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.25 oz simple syrup tweak it to your taste
- Ice cubes for shaking and serving
- Lime wheel or edible flowers garnish, totally optional
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with a generous scoop of ice.
- Pour in 2 oz white rum, 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur, 0.75 oz lime juice, and 0.25 oz simple syrup.
- Pop the lid on and shake it like you mean it for about 10–15 seconds, until everything’s super cold.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass—use a fine mesh strainer if you want it extra smooth.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or an edible flower if you’re feeling fancy.
- Serve right away, while it’s still icy cold.
Notes
Tasting Notes
The first thing I notice when I sip an Elderflower Daiquiri is that bright, punchy lime. It’s fresh, tangy, and cuts right through the sweetness of the elderflower liqueur.
The elderflower adds this soft, floral aroma that’s almost like walking past blooming bushes in late spring. There’s a gentle, sweet note, but it never goes overboard or gets syrupy.
Then there’s the rum—just a hint of warmth and a little bite in the background. It gives the drink some backbone, but never steals the show.
Some of the textures I notice:
- Crisp
- Clean
- Slightly silky on the palate
Substitute
Sometimes I just don’t have elderflower liqueur or fresh lime juice at home. So, I’ll reach for whatever’s close enough to get in the ballpark flavor-wise.
Common Elderflower Substitutes:
- St-Germain—sure, it’s the classic, but really, any elderflower liqueur will do the trick.
- Homemade elderflower syrup mixed with a splash of vodka. Not quite the same, but it works in a pinch.
- Hugo syrup, which is basically a pre-made elderflower syrup you can sometimes spot at the grocery store.
When it comes to lime juice, here’s what I’ll use:
- Fresh lemon juice for a brighter, tangier kick.
- Bottled lime juice—not ideal, but sometimes it’s all I’ve got.
- Citrus syrup if I’m totally out of actual citrus.
Equipment:
- Shaker
- Strainer
- Jigger
- Fine mesh sieve (honestly, I only bother if I’m feeling fancy)
Ingredients:
- White rum (or swap in vodka if you want things lighter)
- Elderflower liqueur or whatever substitute you grabbed from above
- Fresh lime or lemon juice
- Simple syrup
- Ice
Instructions:
- Pour your spirit, elderflower stand-in, citrus juice, and simple syrup into a shaker.
- Toss in a good amount of ice.
- Shake hard for about 15 seconds. (Or longer if you like it extra cold.)
- Strain into a chilled glass.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or maybe an edible flower—totally optional.
