Have you ever put gin and vodka in the same cocktail? I do, in this Elderflower Martini, and it's not a mistake. Vodka keeps things clean. Gin gives the elderflower liqueur something to lean on that neither spirit could give it alone.
What makes this different
The vodka keeps this from turning into perfume in a glass: it stays neutral, so the elderflower liqueur reads as floral, not overwhelming. The gin keeps it from being boring, adding an herbal edge that straight vodka alone can't.
Most elderflower martinis pick one spirit and let the elderflower liqueur do all the work by itself, which is usually when it turns cloying and one-note.
This comes together in about 10 minutes once your sweet and sour is made, and that homemade mix is what keeps the whole thing tasting like a real drink instead of something poured out of a bottle.
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Ingredients and Substitutions
Ingredient Notes:
- Gin. Brings the herbal, botanical flavor that keeps this martini from tasting one-note. I use Tanqueray, but any gin you like will work here.
- Vodka. Neutral on its own, which is exactly the point: it keeps the drink clean so the elderflower liqueur reads as floral instead of getting muddled. I use Tito's.
- Elderflower liqueur. Floral and lightly sweet, made from elderflower blossoms. St-Germain is the most widely available brand and what most people reach for.
- Fresh lemon and lime juice. The base of the homemade sweet and sour. Fresh juice avoids the flat, slightly bitter edge that bottled citrus juice gets from added preservatives.
- Simple syrup. Balances the tartness of the fresh citrus in the sweet and sour.
Instructions
Fill and shaker with ice and add Elderflower liqueur, gin, vodka and homemade sweet and sour.
Cover and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until shaker is frosted.
Squeeze a lime wedge into a martini glass.
Strain contents of shaker into glass and serve.
My best Tips
Make the sweet and sour ahead. It needs time in the fridge anyway, and it keeps for up to two weeks, so you're not juicing citrus in the middle of your own party.
Shake it for real, not a few half-hearted jiggles. A full 30 seconds is what properly chills and dilutes the drink. Shake it too gently and it comes out warm and unbalanced.
Don't worry if the color of your sweet and sour varies batch to batch. That's just the natural variation in your lemons and limes, not a sign anything went wrong.
Serving Suggestions
This martini is light and floral, so it's happiest next to food that won't fight it. Fresh shrimp, a simple cheese board, or a citrus-dressed salad all work. Save anything heavy, spicy, or richly sauced for a more spirit-forward cocktail instead.
FAQs
Floral, but not overpoweringly so. Most people describe it as delicate, with notes of pear or citrus underneath the floral top note. It reads more like a subtle accent than a dominant flavor.
Using only vodka gives a cleaner, less herbal result; using only gin leans more botanical. I always make it with both because that's the combination that gives you the cleanest base with an herbal flavor underneath.
Yes. Fresh lemon and lime juice doesn't carry the flat, slightly bitter edge that bottled sweet and sour mixes get from preservatives, and it's what makes this drink taste bright instead of syrupy.
Yes. Make a full batch of the homemade sweet and sour ahead of time, then multiply the martini ingredients by however many drinks you need.
Make ahead and Storage
You can make the martinis ahead and store them in the refrigerator, but leave the ice out of the equation until you're ready to serve. If you shake and store with ice already in the mix, the drinks will water down by the time you pour them.
The homemade sweet and sour keeps on its own in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, which makes it worth making a full batch even if you're not serving a crowd right away.
More Elderflower Cocktails
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Recipe
Elderflower Martini with Gin and Vodka
Ingredients
Homemade Sweet and Sour Mix:
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 ¾ cup simple syrup
Martini:
- 1 ounce Gin
- 1 ounce Vodka
- 1 ounce Elderflower Liqueur
- 2 ounces homemade sweet and sour
- 1 Lime wedges
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Instructions
Homemade Sweet & Sour
- Combine lime juice, lemon juice and simple syrup in mason jar and shake to combine.1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 ¾ cup simple syrup, 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- Refrigerate until ready to make martinis.
Elderflower Martini
- Pour gin, vodka, elderflower liqueur and sweet & sour mix in a martini shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously to combine.1 ounce Gin, 1 ounce Vodka, 1 ounce Elderflower Liqueur, 2 ounces homemade sweet and sour
- squeeze a lime wedge into a martini glass and strain the contents of the shaker into the glass.1 Lime wedges
- Garnish with a lime slice or twist and s.erve immediately.
Notes
- Using only vodka gives a cleaner, less herbal result; using only gin leans more botanical.
- The color of the sweet and sour will vary depending on your lemons and limes. Nothing to worry about.
- Sweet and sour keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
- If making martinis ahead, store without ice so they don't get watered down.
VIDEO
Nutrition
Nutrition info not guaranteed to be accurate.
Julianne says
I make Elderflower syrup every year. I'm thinking about substituting the Elderflower syrup instead of the simple syrup in the sweet and sour mix for an authentic, European Elderflower flavor.
Erika says
What style of gin is being used in this cocktail?
I used Tanqueray, but feel free to use your favorite!
Joel De Souza says
Loved your concept but we found it much too sweet. I reduced the sweet and sour to just under a cup of simple syrup to one cup each fresh lemon and lime. I also used only one ounce of the sweet and sour in the drink. Liked this much better and was definitely a hit at our cocktail party last night!
Rhonda says
I love that tweet of the recipe, I found it too sweet for my taste as well. Will try yours next time around.
mim says
My recipe if you don't like the flavor of gin is:
1 1/2 ounce of vodka, 1 1/2 ounce St. Germain, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce sour. Shake with ice strain into a martini glass and garnish with lemon zest
heather @french press says
I have never been tempted to try a martini before - but now you have me dreaming of enjoying a few around the fire tonight - they sound perfect
Lisa says
These have quickly become one of our go-to drinks. Sipping on one by the fire sounds like a perfect evening!