St Germain, the French elderflower liqueur, adds a touch of elegance to any cocktail. Its sweet floral notes blend well with various spirits and mixers, creating drinks that are both refreshing and sophisticated. You’ll find a wide range of cocktails that showcase the versatility of St Germain, from simple two-ingredient mixes to complex concoctions with multiple layers of flavor.
These recipes offer something for every taste, whether you prefer gin, vodka, champagne, or other spirits as your base. Some drinks highlight the delicate elderflower flavor, while others use St Germain to balance out stronger ingredients. By trying these cocktails, you’ll discover new ways to enjoy this unique liqueur and impress your guests with your mixology skills.
The St Germain Spritz is a light and refreshing cocktail perfect for summer sipping. It’s easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.
To craft this iconic drink, pour 2 ounces of St Germain elderflower liqueur over ice in a wine glass. Top with 3 ounces of chilled Prosecco and 1 ounce of soda water.
Gently stir to combine the flavors. Squeeze in a lemon wedge for a hint of citrus. Garnish with a lemon twist or edible flowers if you want to get fancy.
This simple yet elegant cocktail is great for brunch, happy hour, or anytime you want a bubbly treat. The floral notes of St Germain blend beautifully with the crisp Prosecco.
This elegant cocktail blends vodka or gin with St-Germain for a floral twist on the classic martini. You’ll need vodka or gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice.
Fill a shaker with ice and add your choice of spirit. Squeeze in some lemon juice from a fresh wedge. Pour in the St-Germain.
Mix thoroughly with a long spoon or shake if you prefer. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
For a finishing touch, garnish with a lemon twist. If you like, add a few cucumber slices for extra freshness.
The St Germain Gin and Tonic is a fresh take on a classic drink. You’ll love this upgraded version of your go-to cocktail.
To make it, mix gin, tonic water, and a splash of St Germain elderflower liqueur. The floral notes of St Germain blend perfectly with the botanical flavors of gin.
For extra flair, garnish with a lemon twist or edible flower. This cocktail is perfect for warm summer evenings or any time you want a light, refreshing drink.
You can adjust the ratios to suit your taste. Try different gins to find your favorite combination with St Germain.
The French 75 with St Germain adds a floral twist to a classic cocktail. You’ll love this bubbly and refreshing drink.
To make it, mix gin, St Germain elderflower liqueur, and fresh lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well until very cold.
Strain the mixture into a champagne flute. Top it off with chilled sparkling wine or Prosecco. The elderflower liqueur replaces the usual simple syrup.
This cocktail combines the botanical notes of gin with the sweet, floral taste of elderflower. The lemon adds a bright, citrusy zing. It’s perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress your friends.
The St Germain Mojito adds a floral twist to the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll need St Germain elderflower liqueur, white rum, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, and soda water.
Start by muddling mint leaves with lime juice in a glass. Add ice, St Germain, and rum. Top with soda water and stir gently.
Garnish your drink with a sprig of mint and a lime wedge. The elderflower flavor complements the mint and lime beautifully, creating a refreshing summer drink.
This cocktail is perfect for warm evenings or backyard parties. It’s easy to make and sure to impress your guests with its unique flavor profile.
The St Germain Bellini puts a floral twist on the classic Italian cocktail. You’ll love this easy-to-make drink for brunch or celebrations.
Start with chilled Prosecco in a champagne flute. Add a splash of peach puree for the traditional Bellini base. Then top it off with St Germain elderflower liqueur.
The St Germain adds a subtle sweetness and aromatic notes that complement the peach perfectly. Stir gently to combine the flavors.
Garnish with a thin peach slice if you’d like. This elegant cocktail is refreshing and perfect for sipping on warm days.
The St Germain Sour is a tasty twist on the classic whiskey sour. It combines the floral notes of elderflower liqueur with the warmth of whiskey.
To make this drink, you’ll need St Germain, bourbon or rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake these ingredients with ice and strain into a glass.
For extra flair, add a frothy egg white to the mix. This gives the cocktail a smooth texture and pretty foam on top.
Garnish your St Germain Sour with a lemon twist or cherry. The result is a balanced drink that’s both tart and sweet, with a hint of elderflower.
The Elderflower Mimosa puts a twist on the classic brunch cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink that combines champagne and St Germain.
To make it, pour 1 ounce of St Germain into a champagne flute. Top it off with 3 ounces of chilled champagne or prosecco.
Gently stir to mix the flavors. For an extra touch, add a splash of fresh orange juice. Garnish with an orange twist or a few fresh berries.
This elegant cocktail is perfect for special occasions or elevating your weekend brunch. The floral notes of elderflower blend beautifully with the bubbly champagne.
The St Germain Collins is a refreshing twist on the classic Tom Collins. You’ll love this fizzy drink on a hot day.
To make it, mix gin, St Germain, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
Top it off with club soda and give it a gentle stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge for a pop of color.
The St Germain adds a subtle floral sweetness that pairs nicely with the gin and lemon. It’s an easy-drinking cocktail that’s perfect for summer parties or relaxing on the porch.
The St Germain Daiquiri puts a French twist on the classic Cuban cocktail. You’ll love this refreshing drink that blends rum, lime juice, and St Germain elderflower liqueur.
To make it, shake rum, fresh lime juice, and St Germain with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. The elderflower liqueur adds a sweet, floral note that balances the rum’s kick and lime’s tartness.
This cocktail is perfect for warm summer evenings. It’s light, refreshing, and easy to sip. You can garnish with a lime wheel or edible flower for a fancy touch.
Elderflower sangria puts a floral twist on the classic Spanish punch. You’ll love this refreshing summer drink for parties and gatherings.
To make it, mix white wine, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and sliced fruits like strawberries, peaches, and lemons in a pitcher. Let the flavors blend for a few hours in the fridge.
When ready to serve, add some sparkling water or club soda for fizz. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves. The elderflower gives the sangria a light, sweet taste that pairs well with the fruit.
This cocktail is perfect for sipping on warm evenings. It’s easy to make in big batches for a crowd too. Try it at your next summer party!
This refreshing cocktail blends the floral notes of lavender and elderflower. You’ll need lavender simple syrup, St Germain, lemon juice, and vodka.
Start by making lavender syrup. Boil sugar and water, then steep lavender buds in the mixture. Let it cool before using.
Mix the lavender syrup with St Germain, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vodka in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
Garnish your drink with a sprig of fresh lavender or a lemon twist. This cocktail is perfect for warm summer evenings or garden parties.
The History and Origins of St-Germain
St-Germain has a fascinating history rooted in French culture and craftsmanship. This elderflower liqueur quickly became a favorite among mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts after its introduction.
The Story Behind the Name
St-Germain gets its name from Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a historic area in Paris. This neighborhood was known for its artistic and intellectual scene in the early 20th century. The liqueur’s creator, Robert Cooper, chose this name to evoke the area’s sophisticated and creative spirit.
Cooper launched St-Germain in 2007, inspired by the elderflower liqueurs he tasted in London and the Alps. He wanted to create a versatile spirit that would appeal to both bartenders and home mixologists.
Production Process
St-Germain’s production is a labor-intensive process that relies on traditional methods. The elderflowers used in the liqueur are hand-picked in the French Alps during a brief spring harvest.
Each bottle of St-Germain contains up to 1,000 elderflower blossoms. After picking, the flowers are quickly transported to the production facility. Here, they undergo maceration to extract their delicate flavors.
The resulting liquid is then blended with eau-de-vie, water, and sugar to create the final product. This careful process helps preserve the elderflowers’ unique floral notes and subtle sweetness.
Ingredients Used in St-Germain Cocktails
St-Germain cocktails blend unique flavors to create delightful drinks. The key components and complementary ingredients work together for balanced and tasty results.
Key Components
St-Germain elderflower liqueur is the star of these cocktails. It has a sweet, floral taste with hints of pear and citrus. You’ll often pair it with a base spirit like vodka, gin, or champagne.
Citrus juices are common in St-Germain drinks. Lemon and lime add brightness and balance the sweetness. Grapefruit juice is another popular choice for its tart flavor.
Simple syrup or sugar may be used to adjust sweetness. Some recipes call for honey as a natural sweetener.
Complementary Ingredients
Fresh herbs enhance the floral notes of St-Germain. Mint and basil are popular choices. They add a refreshing touch to your cocktails.
Fruit adds color and flavor. Berries like strawberries or raspberries work well. Peaches and pears also complement the elderflower taste.
Sparkling wine or club soda gives a bubbly texture. This adds a festive touch to your drinks.
Bitters can add depth and complexity. A dash or two balances the sweetness of St-Germain.
Here’s a quick list of common ingredients:
Base spirits: vodka, gin, champagne
Citrus: lemon, lime, grapefruit
Herbs: mint, basil
Fruit: berries, peaches, pears
Bubbles: sparkling wine, club soda
Extras: simple syrup, honey, bitters
The Art of Mixing St-Germain Cocktails
Creating delicious St-Germain cocktails requires the right tools and techniques. With proper equipment and know-how, you can craft stunning drinks that showcase the elderflower liqueur’s unique flavor.
Essential Tools
To mix St-Germain cocktails like a pro, stock your bar with these key items:
Jigger for precise measurements
Cocktail shaker for mixing drinks
Bar spoon for stirring
Muddler for crushing herbs and fruit
Strainer to remove ice and solids
Citrus juicer for fresh juice
Glassware: coupes, flutes, and highballs
Don’t forget ice! Use large cubes for stirred drinks and smaller pieces for shaken cocktails. A zester comes in handy for citrus garnishes that complement St-Germain’s floral notes.
Mixing Techniques
Master these methods to create perfectly balanced St-Germain cocktails:
Shaking: For drinks with juice, egg whites, or cream
Stirring: For spirit-forward cocktails to maintain clarity
Building: Layer ingredients directly in the glass
Muddling: Gently press herbs or fruit to release flavors
Measure ingredients carefully. St-Germain is sweet, so a little goes a long way. Taste as you go and adjust ratios if needed. Chill glasses before serving for the best presentation. Garnish with fresh herbs or fruit to enhance aromas and add visual appeal.
Pairing St-Germain Cocktails with Food
St-Germain cocktails go well with many foods. Their light, floral taste complements a range of dishes.
Try pairing these cocktails with:
Light appetizers
Fresh salads
Seafood dishes
Fruit-based desserts
The elderflower flavor in St-Germain works nicely with citrus. You can serve cocktails made with this liqueur alongside lemon or lime-infused dishes.
For a perfect match, pair a St-Germain Spritz with:
Grilled shrimp skewers
Goat cheese crostini
Prosciutto-wrapped melon
When serving a St-Germain Margarita, consider offering:
Fish tacos
Guacamole and chips
Ceviche
For dessert pairings, a St-Germain Champagne Cocktail goes well with:
Lemon tart
Strawberry shortcake
Vanilla panna cotta
Remember to keep flavors balanced. You don’t want the food to overpower the cocktail or vice versa.
Experiment with different combinations to find your favorite pairings. The versatile nature of St-Germain allows for many tasty food and drink matches.
