French Elderflower 75 Cocktail Recipe

The French Elderflower 75 cocktail is a fresh twist on the classic French 75. It uses elderflower liqueur for a floral, slightly sweet flavor.

This recipe shows you how to make a simple and elegant drink that is perfect for celebrations or relaxing evenings. I like how the elderflower adds something new without making the cocktail hard to prepare.

If you’re looking for a drink that’s easy yet impressive, the French Elderflower 75 is a great choice. With just a few ingredients and basic bar tools, you can create this sparkling cocktail at home.

French Elderflower 75 Cocktail Recipe

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This French Elderflower 75 blends the crispness of gin, the sweetness of elderflower liqueur, and the bubbles of sparkling wine. I find that having the right tools and using fresh ingredients make the difference in both flavor and presentation.

John

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Serving Size 1

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker: I use this to properly mix the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
• Jigger or measuring spoons: This helps me measure each liquid for accuracy.
• Fine mesh strainer: I use it to strain out any ice or pulp and keep the drink smooth.
• Champagne flute or coupe glass: This cocktail feels more elegant served in the right glass.
• Bar spoon: It comes in handy for gently mixing in the sparkling wine.
• Citrus juicer: Squeezing fresh lemon juice is easier and gives better flavor with this tool.
• Ice cubes: Essential for chilling the ingredients before serving.

Ingredients

• 1 oz gin: I prefer a classic London Dry gin for a crisp base.
• 0.5 oz elderflower liqueur such as St-Germain: This brings sweet, floral notes to the cocktail.
• 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice: I always squeeze lemons fresh for the best taste.
• 2-3 oz chilled sparkling wine: Brings bubbles and a light finish—dry Champagne or a good Cava or Prosecco works.
• Lemon twist or edible flower for garnish: These add a touch of color and aroma.
• Ice cubes: Needed to chill the drink before straining.

Instructions

• Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
• Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
• Shake well for about 10-15 seconds to chill and mix the liquids.
• Strain the mixture into a Champagne flute or coupe glass using a fine mesh strainer.
• Gently top with chilled sparkling wine, pouring slowly to keep the bubbles.
• Stir very gently with a bar spoon to mix (do not over-stir to avoid losing effervescence).
• Garnish with a lemon twist or an edible flower, then serve immediately.

Notes

I always use fresh lemon juice, as bottled juice changes the flavor. The type of gin matters—some floral gins make the drink smoother, while strong juniper gins give more bite.

I chill my sparkling wine before using it, so the cocktail stays cold and tastes crisp. I avoid pre-mixing this drink, since sparkling wine loses bubbles after a while.

Using a fine mesh strainer helps keep the drink clear. For a sweeter drink, a bit more elderflower liqueur can be added.

I also avoid overfilling the glass when topping with sparkling wine, so the bubbles don’t overflow.

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Tasting Notes

When I first taste the French Elderflower 75, I notice its gentle floral aroma. The scent from the elderflower liqueur stands out right away.

The drink brings a balanced combination of sweet, tart, and bubbly flavors. The lemon juice adds a crisp freshness, while the gin offers a subtle herbal undertone.

The Champagne or sparkling wine gives the cocktail a lively fizz. I find it makes each sip bright and refreshing, not heavy.

If I let the drink sit for a moment, the flavors blend even more, and the floral sweetness becomes smoother.

Here’s what I experience most:

• First sip: Sweet floral, light bubbles, citrusy tang
• Mid-palate: Balanced sweetness and tartness
• Finish: Clean, refreshing, and slightly dry

Substitute

Sometimes I just can’t find elderflower liqueur, or maybe I feel like trying a new twist. There are a few easy swaps that work pretty well in this cocktail.

Here are some options I use:

• Lemon liqueur (like Limoncello)
  It brings in a citrusy note and keeps things bright.
• Orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or triple sec)
  This one’s got a different kind of sweetness—sort of playful.
• Homemade elderflower syrup
  I usually mix it with a bit more gin to get closer to the liqueur’s strength.

If I don’t have gin,

• I just go with vodka for a lighter taste. Not exactly the same, but it works.

If fresh lemon juice isn’t available,

• Bottled lemon juice is okay in a pinch. I usually use a bit less since it’s got more punch.

Honestly, I just taste as I go and tweak things to my liking. The substitutes definitely shake up the flavor, but hey, the drink still turns out fun.