White Linen
The White Linen is an elegant and contemporary cocktail that perfectly balances botanical gin with the sweet, floral notes of St-Germain elderflower liqueur. Freshly muddled cucumber provides a cool, crisp base, while lemon juice adds a bright, citrusy tartness. It's a sophisticated yet approachable drink, often compared to a refined, floral gin sour. Its clean and light character makes it a popular choice for spring and summer occasions.
Preparation
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The White Linen is classified as a modern cocktail. It falls into the "sour" family of drinks, balanced with sweet, sour, and spirit components. It is a refreshing gin-based drink, perfect for warmer weather.
Serving
Serve this cold, spirit-forward but refreshing drink in a chilled rocks glass filled with fresh ice. The alcohol content is moderate, making it a pleasant sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml (4-5 oz) before ice
Alcohol content
Approximately 18-22% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Rocks glass
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The White Linen cocktail is a modern creation, widely attributed to bartender Robert Hess. It gained significant popularity in the mid-2000s, coinciding with the launch and rise of St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur. The name evokes imagery of clean, crisp linen sheets on a summer day, perfectly matching the drink's refreshing character. It has since become a staple on many craft cocktail menus.
Origin
United States, mid-2000s. The drink's creation is closely tied to the introduction of St-Germain liqueur in 2007.
White Linen
The drink is primarily known as the White Linen. It is sometimes generically referred to as a St-Germain Cocktail due to the prominent role of the elderflower liqueur. When topped with soda water and served in a tall glass, it is often called a Cucumber Elderflower Collins.
Original name
White Linen
Alternative names
- St-Germain Cocktail
- Cucumber Elderflower Collins
Characteristics overview
This drink presents a beautifully refreshing profile with a dominant floral and cucumber aroma and flavor. It is a well-balanced sweet and sour cocktail with a clean, crisp finish, perfect for spring and summer.
Flavor
Floral, cucumber, citrus, botanical, light
Aroma
Elderflower, fresh cucumber, juniper, lemon
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, floral, crisp
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale yellow-green, slightly cloudy, translucent
Texture
Smooth, light-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, spring
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is moderately intense, defined by a perfect balance between sweetness from the elderflower liqueur and sourness from the fresh lemon. The alcohol presence is noticeable but well-integrated.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
You will need gin as the base spirit, complemented by St-Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and slices of cucumber. Fresh ingredients are key to this cocktail's crisp flavor.
- Gin45 ml / 1.5 ozA London Dry Gin with classic botanical notes works best.
- St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur30 ml / 1 ozThis is the key ingredient; other elderflower liqueurs can be substituted.
- Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ozMust be freshly squeezed for best results.
- Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
- Cucumber Slices3 slicesFor muddling. Use seedless or English cucumbers for a less bitter taste.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
A standard cocktail shaker set is required, including a muddler to extract flavor from the cucumber and a fine strainer for a smooth texture. A jigger ensures accurate measurements for a balanced drink.
- Cocktail shaker for shaking and chilling
- Muddler for pressing the cucumber
- Jigger for measuring ingredients
- Hawthorne strainer for straining from the shaker
- Fine mesh strainer for double straining
Instructions
The process involves muddling fresh cucumber, adding all liquid ingredients to a shaker with ice, and shaking until cold. The drink is then double strained into an ice-filled glass for a clean finish.
1. Place 3 cucumber slices at the bottom of a cocktail shaker and gently muddle to release their juices and oils.
2. Add the gin, St-Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice, secure the lid, and shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
4. If garnishing with a cucumber ribbon, place it inside a chilled rocks glass now. Fill the glass with fresh ice.
5. Double strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass to remove ice shards and cucumber pulp.
Garnishing
An elegant cucumber ribbon placed inside the glass before adding ice is the classic garnish. It adds visual appeal and enhances the cucumber aroma.
- Cucumber Ribbon: Use a vegetable peeler to create a long, thin ribbon of cucumber and curl it inside the glass.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, soy, and nuts. It is typically gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
✓ 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 and sugar content, primarily from the elderflower liqueur and simple syrup. The total carbohydrates are also in the moderate range for a cocktail.
Calories
Approximately 190-220 kcal / 795-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 14-17 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This drink is perfect for warm weather events like summer parties, brunches, and garden gatherings. Its light and refreshing nature also makes it an excellent aperitif or pre-dinner cocktail.
- Summer parties
- Brunch
- Garden parties
- Pre-dinner drink
- Cocktail hour
Pairing suggestions
The White Linen pairs beautifully with light and fresh foods. Its floral and citrus notes complement seafood, salads, and soft cheeses like goat cheese. Avoid pairing it with heavy or spicy dishes that could overpower its delicate flavors.
- Light appetizers
- Seafood, such as oysters or shrimp cocktails
- Goat cheese and crackers
- Salads with vinaigrette dressing
White Linen: A Sip of Summer Elegance
The White Linen is a quintessential modern classic that embodies elegance and refreshment. Its simple yet sophisticated profile combines the botanical complexity of gin with the enchanting floral sweetness of St-Germain and the crispness of fresh cucumber and lemon. Easy to make yet impressive to serve, it has secured its place as a go-to cocktail for warm weather, garden parties, or any occasion that calls for a light, bright, and utterly delicious drink. It is a testament to how a well-balanced new creation can quickly become a beloved standard.
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