I love making cocktails that are simple but still taste a little bit special. The Elderflower Gin Fizz is a refreshing drink that combines gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and sparkling water for a bright, floral flavor.

This recipe is quick to prepare and doesn’t need any fancy tricks. When I want something light and elegant to serve friends, this cocktail is one of my go-tos.

With just a few ingredients and minimal equipment, I can mix a drink that feels unique but is easy enough for anyone to make at home. It’s honestly not intimidating at all, even if you’re new to cocktails.

Elderflower Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

To make a great Elderflower Gin Fizz, I need the right tools and good ingredients. Clear steps and a few helpful tips don’t hurt either.

John

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size

Equipment

Cocktail shaker: I use this to mix and chill the drink.
Strainer: This helps me pour the cocktail neatly, without ice or pulp.
Jigger or measuring tool: Accuracy is important for the right flavor.

Tall glass (highball): I serve the cocktail over ice in a tall glass.
Bar spoon: I use this for gently stirring in the soda water.
Citrus juicer: Fresh juice makes a difference, so this is useful.

Ice: Enough to fill the glass and shake the drink.

Ingredients

2 oz gin: I prefer a light and floral gin for this recipe.
1 oz elderflower liqueur such as St-Germain
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup: I make this by dissolving equal parts sugar and water.

2-3 oz club soda or sparkling water: This adds the fizz.
Ice
Optional garnish: Lemon wheel edible flowers, or a sprig of fresh mint

Instructions

Fill the shaker with ice.

Add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Shake well for about 15 seconds, until well chilled.
Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.

Slowly top with club soda or sparkling water.
Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
Garnish with a lemon wheel, edible flower, or mint sprig, if desired.

I try not to over-shake or over-stir the club soda so the bubbles stay fresh. It’s easy to lose that fizz if you’re not careful, and nobody wants a flat cocktail.

Notes

I always use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled for the best flavor. If I want a less sweet drink, I just cut back the simple syrup a bit.

For a stronger floral note, I’ll add a splash more elderflower liqueur, but I’m careful not to let it take over. This cocktail is best served immediately while cold and fizzy.

I like to prep all the ingredients ahead so the process is quick. If I’m making drinks for a group, I’ll batch the recipe but hold off on adding the soda water until I’m pouring into glasses.

If I want to make it non-alcoholic, I use elderflower syrup instead of liqueur and skip the gin. That way, everyone can have a refreshing, floral beverage—kids or adults.

Tasting Notes

When I taste an Elderflower Gin Fizz, the first thing I notice is the aroma. There’s a soft floral scent from the elderflower, mixed with bright citrus from the lemon.

On my first sip, the drink is light and refreshing. The gin adds subtle botanical notes, but it doesn’t overpower the elderflower.

The cocktail balances sweet and tart flavors. The elderflower liqueur is sweet but not too heavy.

Lemon juice brings a gentle sourness that keeps everything crisp. I also feel a slight fizz from the club soda, which gives the cocktail a lively texture and makes it easy to drink.

Flavor notes I taste:

Light floral from elderflower
Juniper and herbs from gin

Citrus brightness from lemon
Subtle sweetness
Refreshing sparkle

Texture:
Smooth and fizzy, with a clean finish.

Color:
Pale yellow with a slight cloudiness from the lemon juice.

Substitute

Sometimes I just don’t have elderflower liqueur on hand, or maybe I’m feeling a little adventurous. Here are a few easy swaps I reach for:

St. Germain Substitute:
- Homemade elderflower syrup or cordial is my go-to.
- If I’m grabbing something at the store, I’ll pick up a floral cordial—rose or lavender syrup usually does the trick.

Gin Substitute:
- Sometimes I swap in vodka for a lighter, cleaner taste.
- Cucumber vodka is fun too—adds a crisp, fresh note that’s hard to beat.

Fresh Lemon Juice Substitute:
- Bottled lemon juice saves me when I’m out of fresh lemons.
- Lime juice changes things up, but honestly, it’s still tasty.

Craving a non-alcoholic version? These swaps work for that too:

Just use more elderflower syrup instead of the alcohol.
Swap out gin for sparkling water or tonic water. It’s simple but refreshing.

For garnishes, I’ll use cucumber slices or fresh mint if I have them lying around instead of lemon. The drinks end up looking and tasting just as good, maybe even better sometimes.

Elderflower Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe