Juniper Garden Elixir

The Juniper Garden Elixir is an elegant non-alcoholic alternative designed for a discerning palate. It builds upon a base of homemade juniper syrup, which imparts a piney, botanical complexity reminiscent of gin. This is balanced by the fresh, crisp notes of muddled cucumber and the delicate, sweet aroma of elderflower cordial. Topped with sparkling water, the result is a light, bubbly, and deeply refreshing beverage perfect for any celebratory occasion.
Juniper Garden Elixir

Preparation

Preparation time: 7 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This drink is classified as a modern mocktail. It uses contemporary techniques and flavor combinations to create a sophisticated, non-alcoholic beverage that mimics the complexity of a craft cocktail, distinguishing it from simpler fruit juice-based drinks.

Serving

This is a completely alcohol-free drink served cold over ice in a tall, chilled Collins glass to maintain its effervescence and refreshing character.
Serving size
Approximately 250 ml / 8.5 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This mocktail is a product of the modern craft beverage movement, born from a desire to create non-alcoholic drinks with the same depth and complexity as their alcoholic counterparts. It was designed to satisfy cravings for a gin and tonic or a floral Collins, using botanical infusions to build layers of flavor without any alcohol. It represents a shift towards more inclusive and thoughtful drink menus.
Origin
The Juniper Garden Elixir is a contemporary creation without a single point of origin, emerging from the broader mocktail trend of the 2010s. It reflects the influence of modern European, particularly British, flavor profiles, celebrating garden-fresh ingredients like cucumber and elderflower alongside the gin-like character of juniper.

Juniper Garden Elixir

The drink is primarily known as the Juniper Garden Elixir, a name that highlights its botanical and refreshing nature. Alternative names like Virgin Juniper Cooler or Cucumber Elderflower Sparkler describe its key ingredients and alcohol-free character, making it easily identifiable.
Original name
Juniper Garden Elixir
Alternative names
  • Virgin Juniper Cooler
  • Cucumber Elderflower Sparkler

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a refreshingly crisp and botanical flavor profile with a clean finish, characterized by its light, bubbly texture and pale green appearance. It is an ideal summery beverage that balances subtle sweetness with bright, floral aromas.
Flavor
Botanical, crisp, floral, refreshing, slightly sweet, piney, herbal
Aroma
Juniper, fresh cucumber, elderflower, lime
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, refreshing, light, herbal
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent, sparkling
Color appearance
Pale green, translucent, clear, sparkling
Texture
Light, crisp, watery, effervescent
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, spring

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is moderately intense, with a refreshing balance between gentle sweetness from the syrups and a light sourness from the lime. This is a highly carbonated, completely non-alcoholic drink with no bitterness, spiciness, or saltiness.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This mocktail requires fresh cucumber and lime juice, complemented by elderflower cordial and a special juniper-infused syrup. The drink is topped with sparkling water for effervescence.
  • Cucumber4-5 thin slices
    Used for muddling to release fresh flavor. Keep extra for garnish.
  • Juniper Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    A simple syrup (1:1 sugar and water) infused with lightly crushed juniper berries.
  • Elderflower Cordial15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Provides floral sweetness. Adjust quantity to taste.
  • Fresh Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Adds brightness and acidity. Freshly squeezed is essential for best flavor.
  • Sparkling Water120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Club soda or seltzer water can also be used.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker and strainer to build and chill the mocktail, along with a muddler to gently extract the flavor from the fresh cucumber.
  • Cocktail shaker to chill and combine ingredients
  • Muddler to press the cucumber
  • Strainer to pour the drink without muddled solids

Instructions

The method involves muddling fresh cucumber, shaking it with syrups and lime juice, then straining into an ice-filled glass. The final step is to top with sparkling water and add the elegant garnish.
1. Place the cucumber slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Gently muddle the cucumber to release its juices and aroma.
3. Add the juniper syrup, elderflower cordial, and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice, secure the lid, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Prepare your chilled Collins glass by placing the cucumber ribbon against the inner wall and filling it with fresh cubed ice.
6. Double-strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass to remove cucumber solids and ice shards.
7. Top the drink with sparkling water, leaving a little space at the top.
8. Garnish with a fresh sprig of rosemary and serve immediately.

Garnishing

Garnish with a long, elegant ribbon of cucumber lining the inside of the glass and a fragrant sprig of fresh rosemary to enhance the botanical aroma.
  • Cucumber ribbon, placed inside the glass before adding ice
  • Rosemary sprig, gently clapped between palms to release aroma before placing in the drink

Dietary Information

This drink is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is also vegan, vegetarian, caffeine-free, and contains no alcohol.
✕ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie mocktail, with its energy coming primarily from the sugars in the juniper and elderflower syrups. The total carbohydrate and sugar content is moderate.
Calories
Averagely 80-100 kcal / 335-418 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 20-24 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 18-22 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This mocktail is perfect for daytime events and sophisticated gatherings where an elegant non-alcoholic option is desired. It's an excellent choice for garden parties, brunches, and sunny summer afternoons, offering a refreshing and stylish alternative.
  • Garden Party
  • Summer Afternoon
  • Brunch
  • Baby Shower
  • Sophisticated Social Gathering

Pairing suggestions

The botanical and fresh character of this mocktail pairs beautifully with light and clean flavors. It is an excellent companion to appetizers like smoked salmon or goat cheese, as well as fresh salads and delicate seafood dishes that won't overpower its nuanced taste.
  • Light salads with vinaigrette dressing
  • Goat cheese and crackers
  • Smoked salmon blinis
  • Cucumber sandwiches
  • Grilled shrimp skewers

The Juniper Garden Elixir: A Botanical Celebration

The Juniper Garden Elixir is a masterful example of modern mocktail craftsmanship, offering a complex and satisfying drinking experience without alcohol. Its profile is built on the pine-like notes of juniper, freshened by cool cucumber and sweetened by floral elderflower. The bright acidity of lime and the lively carbonation create a perfectly balanced and refreshing beverage. It's a testament to the fact that non-alcoholic drinks can be just as thoughtful, delicious, and celebratory as any traditional cocktail.

Similar mocktails

Virgin Cucumber Gimlet

A simpler mocktail focusing on the combination of muddled cucumber and lime juice, typically sweetened with simple syrup rather than juniper and elderflower.

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