8 Best Elderflower Cocktails (St-Germain Drinks Beyond the Spritz)
Recipes · 2026-08-08 · 8 min read · by Jake
St-Germain elderflower liqueur changed cocktails when it launched in 2007. Bartenders called it 'bartender's ketchup' because it made everything taste better — floral, slightly sweet, with notes of lychee and pear. It's still one of the most useful modifiers in any bar.
A little goes a long way. Half an ounce to an ounce is usually enough — more than that and it overwhelms everything else with sweetness.
Elderflower Spritz
The simplest elderflower cocktail: 1 oz St-Germain, 3 oz Prosecco, 1 oz soda water. Build over ice in a wine glass. It's lighter and more floral than an Aperol Spritz — perfect for people who find Aperol too bitter.
Elderflower Gin & Tonic
Add half an ounce of St-Germain to a regular G&T. The floral elderflower amplifies gin's botanical notes and adds a touch of sweetness that rounds off the tonic's bitterness. Cucumber garnish.
2 oz gin, half an ounce St-Germain, fill with tonic water. This is the upgrade that makes a standard G&T taste like a $16 cocktail bar drink.
Elderflower Martini
Replace the dry vermouth in a Martini with St-Germain. 2.5 oz gin, 3/4 oz St-Germain. Stirred, strained into a coupe. Lemon twist. It's sweeter and more floral than a traditional Martini — a crowd-pleaser for people who find regular Martinis too dry.
Hugo Spritz
The Italian alternative to the Aperol Spritz: Prosecco, St-Germain, soda water, and fresh mint. It's lighter, sweeter, and more floral. Popular in northern Italy and Austria.
3 oz Prosecco, 1 oz St-Germain, 1 oz soda water, 4-5 mint leaves. Build over ice, gently stir. Mint sprig garnish.
Elderflower Margarita
Replace the Cointreau in a Margarita with St-Germain. The floral sweetness against tequila and lime is beautiful — less orange-forward, more delicate and sophisticated.
2 oz blanco tequila, 1 oz St-Germain, 1 oz fresh lime juice. Shake, strain over ice. No salt rim — the elderflower's sweetness doesn't need it.
Elderflower Collins
A Tom Collins with elderflower: 2 oz gin, 3/4 oz St-Germain, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice, top with soda water. Light, floral, and incredibly refreshing. The elderflower replaces the simple syrup, adding flavor along with sweetness.
Buying Guide
St-Germain ($30-35) is the original and still the best. It's made from fresh elderflowers picked in the French Alps. The bottle is beautiful enough to leave on display.
Budget alternatives: Drillaud Elderflower ($15) and Bols Elderflower ($18) are cheaper but less complex. They work fine in mixed drinks but lack St-Germain's depth for simple preparations like a Spritz.
Store it in a cool, dark place after opening. It doesn't need refrigeration but will last longer (6-12 months) away from heat and light.