If you’re after a light, refreshing drink that’s easy to throw together, you might want to try this Lemon and Elderflower Fizz cocktail. This recipe brings together fresh lemon juice, sweet elderflower liqueur, and fizzy soda water for a simple yet tasty cocktail you can whip up at home.
I find myself reaching for this drink when the weather’s warm or I just want something a little more exciting than the usual. The tart lemon and those floral elderflower notes, all topped off with bubbles—what’s not to love?
With just a few ingredients and some basic tools, you’ll have this cocktail ready in minutes. Here’s what you’ll need and how I like to put it together.
Lemon And Elderflower Fizz Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker: I use this to mix and chill everything fast.
- Measuring jigger: Makes it easy to get the right amounts.
- Citrus juicer: Honestly, this saves my hands and gets every drop.
- Strainer: Keeps out those pesky seeds and pulp.
- Tall glass: Highball glass is my go-to for serving.
- Bar spoon: Good for gently stirring in the sparkling water.
- Ice cubes: Gotta keep that drink cold.
- Knife and small cutting board: For slicing up the lemon, obviously.
Ingredients
- 2 oz fresh lemon juice about 1 large lemon
- 1 oz elderflower liqueur like St-Germain
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 3 oz sparkling water chilled
- Ice cubes enough to fill the glass
- Lemon wheel or wedge for garnish
- Fresh mint sprig for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill your cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake it hard for about 15 seconds, until it’s nice and cold.
- Strain everything into a tall glass packed with fresh ice.
- Slowly pour the sparkling water over the top—don’t rush it.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to keep those bubbles around.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim.
Notes
Tasting Notes
First thing I notice with the Lemon and Elderflower Fizz is that gentle elderflower aroma. It’s light, floral, and just a bit sweet on the nose.
Take a sip and there’s a burst of lemon freshness right up front. The citrus is sharp, but the elderflower smooths it out with a delicate sweetness.
The sparkling water gives it a crisp, lively texture. Honestly, the bubbles just make those floral and citrus notes pop even more.
Key Flavors:
- Bright lemon
- Sweet elderflower
- Subtle herbal undertones
This drink is slightly sweet—not cloying, just enough. I really like how clean it finishes, leaving a refreshing aftertaste with every sip.
The way the lemon’s tartness and elderflower’s sweetness play together—honestly, it’s a winner if you like your drinks light and floral.
Sometimes I’ll add a little extra lemon zest on top as a garnish. Makes the aroma even brighter and adds a new layer to the whole experience.
Substitute
Sometimes I just need to switch things up, especially if I’m missing an ingredient or a piece of equipment. No shame in improvising, right?
Equipment substitutes:
- If I don’t have a cocktail shaker, I grab a mason jar with a tight lid. It does the job.
- A hand juicer works fine for squeezing lemons. Honestly, it’s less hassle than plugging in the electric one.
- For muddling, I just use the back of a spoon. Not fancy, but it gets the job done.
Ingredient substitutes:
- No elderflower liqueur? I swap in equal parts St-Germain syrup or elderflower cordial. Works in a pinch.
- When I’m out of club soda, sparkling water gives me that same fizz. Not much difference, really.
- Lemon juice can be swapped for lime juice if I’m desperate, though the flavor takes a little detour.
- For a non-alcoholic version, I just skip the liqueur and pour in extra cordial or syrup. Easy.
Instructions for substitution:
- I measure the substitutes in the same amounts as the originals. No need to overthink it.
- Tasting as I go helps, especially if I’m using syrups—sometimes it needs more sweetness or a bit more tartness.
- Then I shake or stir like usual and strain it into my glass. Simple enough.
Honestly, I just poke around my kitchen before I start. Swapping things out keeps the process relaxed and stress-free, at least most of the time.
