Elderflower Gin and Tonic

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Elderflower gin and tonic is a refreshing twist on a classic G&T. A blend of St Germain elderflower liqueur with a dash of zingy lemon juice creates a fashionable summer gin cocktail for minimal effort.

Another great summer sip involving gin is the English Garden cocktail.

Summer gin cocktail in a Copa glass garnished with lemon wedges and elderflowers.

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Why you’ll love this drink
Ingredients notes
Step by step instructions
Expert tips
Frequently asked questions
More gin drinks to enjoy
📖 Recipe

This elderflower gin and tonic is a delicate floral twist on the classic, perfect for summer quaffing. I’ve tinkered with the traditional G&T, elevating it with elderflower liqueur and a splash of lemon juice. The dash of citrus enlivens those floral notes, transforming the drink into the ideal summer gin cocktail.

Why you’ll love this drink

Aesthetically pleasing: seasonal elderflowers create a captivating and elegant garnish that is pretty on the eye.
Aroma: Oh, the joy of tangy lemon and enchanting elderflower.
Taste: Elderflower goes superbly well with gin. It’s a treat!
Unexpected: This St Germain gin and tonic takes the classic drink up several notches.
Easy: It’s ready in no time and you don’t need special bar equipment.

This gin and tonic with elderflower, fitting the bill for summer gin and tonic, forms part of a mini-series of seasonal gin and tonic recipes. This recipe collection includes a winter gin & tonic, spring gin & tonic and autumn gin and tonic plus a couple of extras. Go take a look!

But if it’s specifically the flavour of elderflower drawing you in today, then don’t miss my lemon and elderflower cupcakes.

Ingredients notes

Labelled ingredients for and elderflower gin and tonic.

Elderflower liqueur: Use store-bought (I like St Germain) or homemade elderflower liqueur

Gin: A gin made with floral botanicals such as Aviation, Silent Pool, Amarula gin or Bloom are perfect for this gin & tonic with elderflower.

Tonic water: The obvious choice is elderflower tonic, but if you cannot get this, a quality classic tonic water is fine.

Step by step instructions

A person pouring gin into an ice filled bar jug.

Step 1: Pour the gin, elderflower liqueur and lemon juice into a jug with plenty of ice.

A person stirring alcohol with ice in a cocktail jug.

Step 2: Stir briskly for 30 seconds.

An alcoholic drink being poured into a Copa glass.

Step 3: Put a handful of ice into a Copa glass and strain the mixed alcohol over the ice.

Tonic water being poured onto gin and ice in a Copa glass.

Step 4: Pour in the tonic water and garnish with lemon wedges and fresh elderflowers.

Expert tips

Don’t under-estimate the power of garnishes: A sprig of elderflower and a segment of lemon add visual impact and exquisite aroma to this summer gin cocktail.
Shake the elderflowers to remove insects.
Adjust the amount of tonic water to suit your taste preferences. If you enjoy a soft and gentle buzz of alcohol, then add more tonic water. But for a stronger version of this elderflower gin and tonic recipe, use less tonic water.
Plenty of ice: chill your ingredients and don’t skimp on the ice in the glass. This summer gin cocktail is best served ice-cold.

Elderflower gin and tonic garnished with fresh elderflowers and lemon wedges.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ratio of gin to tonic in a gin and tonic?

Honestly, I think the ratio of gin to tonic in a gin and tonic recipe is entirely down to personal preference. In this St Germain gin and tonic I enjoy a ratio of 1 part gin to 3 parts tonic, but if you prefer more or less tonic go with that.

What can I garnish a St Germain gin and tonic with?

If you can lay your hands on a couple of sprigs of fresh elderflower blossom to garnish your St Germain gin & tonic, you are in for a real treat. Your senses will be indulged with the delicate charm of the humble elderflower — its beauty & fragrance.

Fresh blooms should smell wonderfully floral, creamy, and evocatively summery. If you’ve picked flowers that smell musty or damp, don’t use these! It’s a sign they are past their best and it’s not wise to spoil a good summer gin cocktail with a poor aromatic.

If fresh elderflowers aren’t available, don’t despair. A few rose petals or mint leaves make excellent alternatives — just be certain they come from a pesticide-free source.

What’s the best glass for a gin and tonic?

Copa glasses are ideal for gin and tonic drinks. Their generous size allows for plenty of ice to keep the drink deliciously ice-cold, while the wide bowl enables the aromatics to open up and shine.

If you do not have a Copa glass then a large wine glass isn’t a bad bet. But a highball will also suffice.

Why is my gin and tonic flat?

It’s likely that you poured the tonic in too quickly or perhaps stirred the drink too much. Treat this drink gently.

More gin drinks to enjoy

Have you made this recipe for elderflower gin and tonic? Please let me know if you enjoyed it and how you chose to garnsih your summer gin cocktail. I always love to hear from my readers.

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