This gin and elderflower cocktail, also known as a St. Germain cocktail, has a sweet, delicate elderflower flavor mixed with fresh lemons, limes, and Hendrix gin.

How I found the Gin and Elderflower Cocktail

I discovered St. Germain liqueur at one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago called Shaw’s Crab House. The waitress suggested the drink, but I was hesitant because the thought of drinking elderflower just made me think of…well…drinking flowers. It did not sound very appealing to me, but the waitress assured me the flavor was not overpowering and said she would get me a sample of St. Germain.

One sip of the deliciousness and I was all in!!! She brought me the St. Germain cocktail and it was ahhhhmazing. It has a light floral taste mixed with fresh lemons, limes, and gin. I have always been a gin fan, but combining it with St. Germain takes it to a new level.

lemon, lime, St. Germain Liqueur, and Hendrix Gin on the counter

What is St. Germain Liqueur

In case you haven’t heard of St. Germain Liqueur, it is made from a small, white starry flower called Elderflower. The flower only blooms in the spring and summer. The liqueur is made out of flowers, which are gathered from hillsides in the French Alps. According to the company’s website, after the flowers are gathered, they are transported by bicycle to immediately begin the process of creating the liqueur.

Once the flowers are processed into the liqueur, each bottle is numbered with the year the flowers were picked. The liqueur is fantastic and tastes amazing with its sweet flavor of warm floral notes.

How I finally got the recipe

Out of nowhere, Shaw’s Crab House quit serving the St. Germain Elderflower and Hendrix Gin Cocktail. What!!!??? However, they can still make it. Whew! After chatting with my waiter, I asked if the bartender would share the recipe. Guess what…they shared it! My Torched Cherry Cocktail recipe is another drink recipe I picked up from a restaurant.

Hendrix Gin, St. Germina, lemons, limes, and shaker on a counter.

How to Make this Gin and Elderflower Cocktail

Over the years, I tried many times to recreate the St. Germain Elderflower cocktail. My version never tasted quite as good as the one from Shaw’s Crab House. I was super excited when I found out the actual ingredient list.

The St. Germain Elderflower cocktail is so simple and contains only four ingredients: St. Germain, Hendrick’s Gin, lemon juice, and lime juice. You shake it all up and voilà — you have deliciousness in a glass! If you really want to go crazy, you can add an egg white before shaking the drink for a frothy top.

Gin and elderflower cocktail with Hendrix Gin, in a glass with a lemon wedge

When you make this elderflower cocktail, be sure to use St. Germain liqueur and Hendrick’s Gin. Other brands do not do this drink justice. Hendrick’s Gin is made with rose petals and cucumber, which creates a fresh taste that pairs well with St. Germain. I promise this drink does not taste like flowers, and the lemon and lime cut the sweetness just enough for the perfect balance.

If you have not had the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail made with St. Germain liqueur, you should definitely put it on your list to try.

xoxo,
Molly