A classic gin and tonic is already a good drink. A St. Germain gin and tonic, or any version made with elderflower liqueur, is a better one. A single ounce of elderflower liqueur softens the juniper, rounds out the bitterness, and pulls the whole drink into focus.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you'll join our email list and can unsubscribe at any time.
The Short Version:
The elderflower liqueur does more than add flavor. It bridges the gap between the dry gin and the bitter tonic, so every sip tastes intentional rather than assembled. The lime matters too. Not as garnish but as the acid that keeps those floral notes bright rather than heavy.
I've made this more times than I can count as a summer gin cocktail, and it's one people ask me about afterward.
This takes about two minutes to pull together. Four ingredients, no special bar tools. The only real judgment call is how much tonic you prefer. I land somewhere in the 2 to 3 ounce range for a drink that tastes like a cocktail and not a mixer.
★★★★★
"This is my absolute favorite way to have a gin and tonic. Definitely my drink of choice. I use Fever Tree Elderflower tonic. Perfect drink!"
Angela
Jump to:
Ingredients and Substitutions
Gin. A London dry gin is the right call here. Its juniper-forward flavor is assertive enough to stand alongside the sweetness of the elderflower liqueur without disappearing. If the gin is too mellow, the drink loses its backbone and goes flat in the middle. I use Tanqueray almost every time. It's reliable and available everywhere. For something more interesting, Vikre Distillery's Boreal Juniper Gin is a local favorite out of Duluth that earns its place in this cocktail.
Elderflower liqueur. St. Germain is the standard, and it earns that reputation. The flavor is bright and distinctly floral without being perfumey. If you want the same result at a lower price point, Drillaud's Elderflower Liqueur is the best dupe I've found: very similar flavor, significantly lower price, and available at Total Wine if you have one nearby.
Tonic water. This one matters more than most people expect. Standard grocery store brands use artificial quinine flavoring, which can taste flat against a quality gin. Q Mixers and Fever Tree are made with natural quinine, and the difference is noticeable after one sip. Fever Tree also makes an elderflower tonic water that leans further into the floral notes.
Lime. Not just a garnish. Squeeze it. The acid is what keeps the drink balanced and prevents the elderflower from going cloying. A lemon wedge works as an alternative, but lime is my preference here.
How To Make It
- Fill lowball glass with ice. Pour in the gin and elderflower liqueur.
- Top with tonic water, squeeze in lime wedge, stir gently and serve immediately.
Before You Make This
- Use a London dry gin, not a flavored one. Flavored or botanical gins can compete with the elderflower rather than complement it. You end up with a muddled drink where nothing stands out. A juniper-forward London dry holds its own and lets the elderflower do its job.
- Stir gently. Don't shake. Tonic water is carbonated. Shaking it knocks out the bubbles and gives you a flat drink by the time you're halfway through. Stir just enough to combine the ingredients and stop.
- Squeeze the lime into the glass. Don't just drop it in. The juice is doing work here. A lime wedge sitting on the rim is decoration. A squeezed lime wedge is a flavor decision. The acid brightens the floral notes and keeps the elderflower from going sweet and heavy.
- Reach for quality tonic. With only four ingredients, there's nowhere for a mediocre one to hide. Q Mixers and Fever Tree are both worth the extra dollar or two per can.
- For a non-alcoholic version: Substitute a non-alcoholic gin-style spirit for the gin and elderflower cordial for the St. Germain. The cordial has the same floral character without the alcohol, so the flavor holds up. Non-alcoholic gin-style spirits vary widely in flavor. Look for one that's juniper-forward to preserve the balance of the drink.
FAQs
Yes, and it holds up well. Combine the gin and elderflower liqueur in a pitcher ahead of time. When you're ready to serve, fill individual glasses with ice, pour in the gin-liqueur mixture, and top each glass with tonic water to order. Don't add the tonic to the pitcher. It will go flat. Squeeze a lime wedge into each glass just before serving. For a batch of 8 drinks, multiply the recipe by 8 and store the gin-liqueur base in the refrigerator until you're ready.
Elderflower liqueur is lightly sweet with a flavor that's often described as honeysuckle or white grape with a delicate herbal note. It's not perfumey or overwhelming. The sweetness is present but not heavy, which is why it pairs so naturally with gin rather than covering it. St. Germain is the most widely available brand and is made from fresh elderflower blossoms harvested once a year in the Alps.
More elderflower and gin drinks
Made this? Loved it? Tell us everything!
Leave a quick star rating and comment below so we can trade tips and cheer each other on.
Who knows? Your twist might become someone else's new favorite!
Recipe
Elderflower Gin and Tonic
Ingredients
- 2 ounces London dry gin
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur (St. Germain or Drillaud)
- 2-3 ounces tonic water
- 1 lime wedge
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you'll join our email list and can unsubscribe at any time.
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with ice. Pour in gin and elderflower liqueur.2 ounces London dry gin, 1 ounce elderflower liqueur
- Top with 2-3 ounces of tonic water. (Use 2 ounces for a stronger cocktail, 3 for a lighter one.) Squeeze lime wedge into glass, stir and serve.2-3 ounces tonic water, 1 lime wedge
Notes
- Gin: London dry gin recommended. Tanqueray is reliable and available everywhere.
- Elderflower liqueur: St. Germain is the standard; Drillaud is a close match at a lower price, available at Total Wine.
- Tonic water: Q Mixers or Fever Tree over standard grocery store brands. Natural quinine makes a noticeable difference.
- Squeeze the lime. The acid is what keeps the floral sweetness in check. Don't skip this step.
- Stir gently. Shaking flattens the carbonation.
- Non-alcoholic option: Use a non-alcoholic gin-style spirit and substitute elderflower cordial for the liqueur. Start with ¾ ounce of cordial (it's sweeter) and adjust to taste.
VIDEO
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Angela Simmons says
This is my absolute favorite way to have a gin and tonic. Definitely my drink of choice. I use Fever Tree Elderflower tonic. Perfect drink!
One of our faves, too, Angela. So glad you enjoy it. Cheers!
Doug Determan says
I just made this recipe and added a smidge of cilantro. Delicious! I enjoyed it during a beautiful evening kayak on Lake Superior right next to the Vikre Distillery that you mentioned.
Cilantro? Now I'm intrigued. Will have to give that a go (and I'm picturing that sunset kayak trip right now - lovely)!