Elderflower Sour

The Elderflower Sour is a beautifully balanced cocktail that highlights the delicate, floral sweetness of elderflower liqueur. It follows the classic sour template of spirit, citrus, and sugar, but replaces a portion of the sugar with the liqueur for added complexity. Often made with gin to complement the botanical notes, it works equally well with vodka for a cleaner taste or whiskey for more depth. The optional addition of egg white gives it a silky texture and a beautiful foam cap, making it as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Elderflower Sour

Preparation

Preparation time: 4 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is a modern cocktail, belonging to the "Sour" family of drinks. It is considered a modern classic due to its widespread popularity since the rise of elderflower liqueur in the 2000s. Its flexible base spirit allows it to fit into many cocktail menus.

Serving

Serve this elegant drink ice-cold in a chilled coupe or Nick and Nora glass for the best experience. With an alcohol content around 20% ABV, it's a moderately strong cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml (4 oz) without foam
Alcohol content
Approximately 18-22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Elderflower Sour doesn't have a single inventor or origin story but emerged organically in bars across the world in the early 21st century. Its creation is directly linked to the launch and immense popularity of St-Germain elderflower liqueur in 2007. Bartenders quickly began incorporating the new, versatile ingredient into classic templates, and the sour was a natural and successful fit.
Origin
The drink is a modern creation, originating globally in the late 2000s. It has no single point of origin but is a product of the modern craft cocktail revival. Its development was heavily influenced by the introduction of St-Germain liqueur to the market.

Elderflower Sour

The drink is most commonly known as the Elderflower Sour. When made with the popular St-Germain brand, it's often called a St-Germain Sour. The name may also specify the base spirit used, such as Elderflower Gin Sour or Elderflower Whiskey Sour, to clarify the flavor profile.
Original name
Elderflower Sour
Alternative names
  • St-Germain Sour
  • Elderflower Gin Sour
  • Elderflower Whiskey Sour
  • Elderflower Vodka Sour

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a delightful floral and citrusy aroma, leading to a flavor profile where sweet elderflower and tart lemon are in perfect harmony. When made with egg white, it has a wonderfully silky and smooth texture with a clean, floral finish.
Flavor
Floral, Sweet, Tart, Citrusy, Botanical (with gin)
Aroma
Elderflower, Lemon, Honeysuckle, Fresh
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Clean, Floral, Lingering sweetness
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale yellow, Cloudy, Opaque with a white foam top (if using egg white)
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Creamy (if using egg white), Rich
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, Springtime

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by a prominent sourness balanced by moderate floral sweetness and fruitiness. The alcohol strength is present but well-integrated, resulting in a smooth, non-carbonated drink with a creamy texture.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a base spirit like gin, elderflower liqueur, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. An optional egg white can be added for a classic silky texture and foam head.
  • Gin50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A London Dry Gin is classic. Can be substituted with vodka or a light whiskey.
  • Elderflower Liqueur22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    St-Germain is the most common brand used.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Egg White15 ml / 0.5 oz(optional)
    Creates a rich, creamy texture and foam. Use pasteurized egg whites for safety. Can be substituted with aquafaba for a vegan version.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

This is a shaken cocktail requiring a cocktail shaker to chill and dilute. A jigger is needed for precise measurements, and a double straining method (using both a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer) ensures a silky smooth texture.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling ingredients.
  • Jigger for accurate measurement.
  • Strainer and Fine Strainer for pouring a smooth, ice-free drink.

Instructions

The preparation involves a dry shake with egg white, followed by a wet shake with ice to chill and dilute. The cocktail is then double-strained into a chilled coupe and garnished with a lemon twist.
1. Add gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
2. If using egg white, seal the shaker and perform a 'dry shake' (without ice) vigorously for about 15 seconds to create a foam.
3. Add a generous amount of cubed ice to the shaker, seal it again, and shake hard for another 10-15 seconds until the outside is frosted and cold.
4. Double strain the mixture through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
5. Garnish by expressing the oil from a lemon twist over the surface of the drink, then dropping it in.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the perfect garnish. Expressing the oils from the peel over the drink adds a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's flavors.
  • Lemon twist expressed over the drink.

Dietary Information

This drink contains egg white, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with egg allergies; however, aquafaba can be substituted for a vegan version. It is naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, and caffeine-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✕ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate number of calories, primarily from the alcohol and sugar in the liqueur. Carbohydrate and sugar content are present but not excessively high for a sour-style drink.
Calories
Averagely 200-230 kcal / 837-962 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 12-15g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 10-13g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is a versatile cocktail perfect for spring and summer occasions like garden parties or patio sipping. Its elegant and refreshing nature also makes it an excellent aperitif before dinner or a sophisticated choice for any cocktail hour.
  • Spring Garden Party
  • Summer Evening
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Brunch

Pairing suggestions

The Elderflower Sour pairs beautifully with light and fresh foods. Its floral and citrus notes complement seafood appetizers, salads, and creamy cheeses like goat cheese. It serves as a fantastic palate cleanser between courses.
  • Light seafood appetizers like shrimp cocktail or ceviche.
  • Goat cheese and crackers.
  • Light salads with vinaigrette dressing.
  • Spring vegetable dishes.

The Elderflower Sour: A Modern Floral Classic

The Elderflower Sour is a modern staple that perfectly encapsulates the balance of sweet and sour. Its use of elderflower liqueur provides a sophisticated floral dimension that elevates it beyond a simple sour. Adaptable with various base spirits and visually stunning with its foamy top, it's a refreshing and elegant choice for any occasion that calls for a well-crafted cocktail. Its widespread appeal has cemented its place as a go-to drink in bars around the world.

Similar Cocktails

White Lady

A classic gin sour that uses orange liqueur (like Cointreau) instead of elderflower liqueur.

Gin Fizz

A related classic that is served long over ice and topped with soda water for carbonation.

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