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–+ servings

French Elderflower 75 Cocktail Recipe

French Elderflower 75 Cocktail Recipe
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
Total Time 5 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.