This simple Elderflower Collins recipe will refresh your senses! With gin, lemon juice, elderflower liqueur, and club soda, this floral cocktail is perfect for a delightful spring.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
214
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz elderflower Liqueur
- 3-4 oz soda water - to top
- Lemon zest twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Collins Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Cocktail Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze 1 oz fresh lemon juice into the shaker.
- Add Elderflower Liqueur: Measure and pour ¾ oz elderflower Liqueur into the shaker.
- Add Gin: Pour 2 oz Gin into the shaker.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it, and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the Collins glass and use the cocktail strainer to remove any excess water inside. Using the cocktail strainer, strain the mixture into the ice-filled glass.
- Top with Soda: Top up the glass with 3-4 oz soda water and stir gently to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon zest twist: express the lemon zest on top of the glass and place it on the rim of the glass or discard it.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: If you don't have gin, vodka is a great alternative but keep in mind that it will alter the flavor profile.
- Elderflower Liqueur: If you need help finding elderflower liqueur, St. Germain is a popular, widely available brand. Alternatively, you can make your own elderflower syrup by simmering elderflowers with sugar and water.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: In a pinch, bottled lemon juice can work, but fresh is always best. If you're out of lemons, try lime juice for a slightly different, but still delicious, flavor.
Making a Pitcher of Elderflower Collins:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of gin, 8 oz of elderflower liqueur, and 8 oz of fresh lemon juice.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into individual ice-filled Collins glasses, top with soda water, garnish with lemon zest, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic gin's botanicals.
- Elderflower Liqueur Substitute: Opt for an elderflower cordial or syrup instead of the alcoholic version.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
This cocktail is already vegan-friendly as it doesn't contain any animal products. Just ensure that the sugar used in your elderflower liqueur or syrup is vegan (some sugars are processed using bone char). Enjoy your vegan Elderflower Collins!What is an Elderflower Collins?
An Elderflower Collins is a gin-based cocktail made of elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and soda water. This refreshing drink is not complicated to make; its simplicity lies in combining these four ingredients. It’s a variant of the classic Tom Collins cocktail, with the addition of the sweet and floral elderflower liqueur giving it a unique twist. The Elderflower Collins is perfect for summer gatherings or any occasion where a light and refreshing cocktail is desired. Its popularity has grown due to the increasing availability and interest in elderflower products.
What is an Elderflower Collins made of – The ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to mix up an Elderflower Collins:
- Elderflower Liqueur: This sweet, floral liqueur adds a unique and fragrant flavor to the cocktail. It’s the star ingredient that gives the Elderflower Collins its name.
- Gin: A clear spirit known for its botanical flavors, gin provides a strong, crisp base for the cocktail.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice brings a tangy acidity to balance out the sweetness of the elderflower liqueur.
- Soda Water: The fizzy component of the drink, soda water adds effervescence and lightness to the Elderflower Collins.
- Ice Cubes: Ice is used to chill the cocktail, keeping it refreshing and cool.
- Lemon Zest (for garnish): A lemon zest serves as an aesthetic garnish, hinting at the citrus notes within the drink.
