Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail

This is a visually stunning and deliciously balanced cocktail perfect for any season. The deep citrus notes of fresh blood orange juice are complemented by the delicate, floral sweetness of elderflower liqueur. Gin provides a botanical backbone, while a touch of lime juice adds a bright, zesty finish, creating a sophisticated yet easy-drinking cocktail.
Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is classified as a contemporary cocktail. It doesn't belong to the classic cocktail canon but is a modern creation that fits within the "sour" family of drinks. Its use of fresh, vibrant ingredients is characteristic of current mixology trends.

Serving

This is a cold, alcohol-forward cocktail served "straight up" in a chilled coupe or Martini glass. The typical serving size is around 5 ounces, making it a standard cocktail portion.
Serving size
Approximately 150 ml / 5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 18-22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This cocktail is a modern creation, popularized by home bartenders and online recipe blogs rather than a specific, famous bar. It emerged from the trend of combining gin with floral elements, as seen in the popularization of elderflower liqueur. The use of blood orange adds a seasonal twist and a beautiful color, making it a favorite for social media and home entertaining.
Origin
This is a modern, internet-era creation that gained popularity in the 2010s. It doesn't have a single point of origin but evolved organically in home bars and online communities in Europe and North America as its core ingredients became more widely available.

Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail

This cocktail is most commonly known by its descriptive name, Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail. Alternative names like Elderflower Blood Orange Gin Fizz usually refer to a variation topped with soda or sparkling wine. It is also sometimes called a Blood Orange St-Germain Cocktail, referencing the most popular brand of elderflower liqueur used in its creation.
Original name
Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail
Alternative names
  • Elderflower Blood Orange Gin Fizz
  • Blood Orange St-Germain Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This cocktail boasts a vibrant, citrusy, and floral flavor profile with a clean finish. Its striking reddish-orange hue is complemented by a smooth texture and a refreshing character suitable for any season, though best when blood oranges are at their peak.
Flavor
Citrusy, Floral, Sweet-tart, Botanical, Fruity
Aroma
Orange, Elderflower, Juniper, Fresh, Botanical
Taste balance
Balanced sweet and sour
Aftertaste
Clean, Floral, Citrus zest
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Deep pink, Reddish-orange, Clear
Texture
Smooth, Crisp, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season, Winter (blood orange peak)

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, with a beautiful balance between fruity sweetness from the orange and elderflower, and a pleasant tartness from the citrus. The alcohol provides a gentle backbone without being overwhelming.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four key liquid ingredients: a botanical gin base, sweet elderflower liqueur, fresh tart blood orange juice, and a splash of fresh lime juice for balance.
  • Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A classic London Dry gin with prominent juniper notes works best to cut through the sweetness.
  • Elderflower Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    St-Germain is the most common choice, but other brands work well.
  • Blood Orange Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Freshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor and color.
  • Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed lime juice provides the necessary acidity to balance the drink.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard cocktail shaking equipment. A shaker, a jigger for measuring, and both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer are required to achieve a smooth, perfectly chilled drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and combining ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice after shaking.
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining to remove small ice chips and pulp.

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling the glass, combining all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shaking well, and then double straining into the chilled glass. A simple citrus garnish completes the drink.
1. Place your coupe or Martini glass in the freezer to chill for at least 10 minutes.
2. Measure and pour the gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh blood orange juice, and fresh lime juice into a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with cubed ice.
4. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12 to 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is frosted and cold.
5. Using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer (double straining), pour the cocktail into your pre-chilled glass.
6. Garnish with a blood orange twist or wheel before serving.

Garnishing

A simple garnish is best to let the drink's color shine. Use a vegetable peeler to create a long twist of blood orange peel, express its oils over the drink, and drop it in.
  • Blood orange twist or a thin blood orange wheel expressed over the drink or placed on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. Most distilled spirits like gin are gluten-free, but check the specific brand if you have a severe sensitivity. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, primarily from the alcohol and sugar in the liqueur and juice. The carbohydrate and sugar content is relatively low for a sweet-tart cocktail.
Calories
Approximately 220-250 kcal / 920-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12-15 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 10-13 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

Its elegant appearance and refreshing taste make this cocktail suitable for a wide range of occasions. It's perfect for a celebratory brunch, a sunny afternoon party, or a sophisticated pre-dinner cocktail hour.
  • Brunch
  • Summer Parties
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Celebrations
  • Date Night

Pairing suggestions

This cocktail pairs well with light and fresh flavors. Consider serving it with seafood appetizers, salads featuring citrus or soft cheese, or alongside desserts that won't overpower its delicate floral notes. Its bright profile cuts through richness, making it a versatile food companion.
  • Light appetizers like prosciutto-wrapped melon or bruschetta.
  • Seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp or scallops.
  • Salads with goat cheese and citrus vinaigrette.
  • Fruity or floral desserts like panna cotta or lemon tart.

The Ruby Bloom: A Guide to the Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail

The Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail is a modern delight, combining the botanical complexity of gin with the unique tartness of blood orange and the sweet floral notes of elderflower. It's an elegant, refreshing, and visually appealing drink that is surprisingly easy to make. Perfect for impressing guests or enjoying on a sunny afternoon, its balanced profile makes it a versatile choice for various occasions. A true celebration of fresh, floral, and citrus flavors in a glass.

Similar Cocktails

French Gimlet

A simpler version of this drink, made with only gin, lime juice, and elderflower liqueur. This cocktail adds blood orange for more fruitiness and color.

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