Elderflower Smash (St-Germain Cocktail)

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

If you want to sip on a cocktail that’s the epitome of fresh flavor, the Elderflower Smash is what you seek.

There I was, atop the Jungfraujoch, on the top of Europe itself. Securely fastened to my boots, the greatest pair of skis that money could buy. Only Olympians and professionals were able to get their hands on the gear that I was adorned in, and today I was among that exclusive fraternity.

I briefly raised the goggles from my helmet to soak in the view again, one last time before I embarked on my potentially deadly escapade. Below me, the Swiss village of Grindelwald was invisible, obscured by the layer of clouds between us. Nearby, I could see the face of the Eiger. Snapping my eyewear back into place with an “ouch”, I refocused my mind back on the task at hand. A freshness mankind has never known will soon be mine.

I launched myself down the mountainside with a deafening shooooooosh! Before I realized my folly, my skis left the snow and rocky surface below me, and I was soon flying headfirst off of one of the tallest peaks in the world. Clouds were rushing up to meet me as I turned into a human missile. My attempt at harnessing the freshness of the Alps for the purposes of furthering the science of flavor was proving to be my downfall. Literally.

After what felt like an eternity of tumbling head over heels down jagged outcroppings and other general mountain stuff, including the occasional yodeler, I landed into the soft but firm snowy earth of Switzerland. The crater I created proved difficult to crawl out of, especially with the bruised buttocks I ended up with.

An actual skier and his family were walking by, presumably headed towards the nearby cable car station to hit the slopes, maybe teach their kids how to slalom. They all stopped, staring at my bloodied and bruised visage wrapped up in a shredded one-piece ski suit. “What happened?!”

“Well, I was inspired by the classic film, The Sound of Music, and thought if I could somehow figure out how to harness the essence of the brisk Swiss air I could utilize that knowledge the next time I create an Elderflower Smash. See, my method includes-“

They cut me off. “The cocktail with St-Germain? That liqueur is made in France, from their elderflowers. I think you’re confusing that with edelweiss. Totally different.”

I paused for a long moment before speaking. “Oh.”

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In An Elderflower Smash?

St-Germain is an elderflower liqueur that has been on the market for a relatively short time, only since the early 2000s. I’ve noticed that bottles of it are pretty easy to find and reasonably priced, so make sure you have some on hand at home for this and other cocktails. The photos in this article show Dry Line Cape Cod small batch gin, which is a crisp, dry spirit infused with local Cape Cod botanicals. A great suggestion, but if you can’t find this particular brand, I’d recommend a tried and true London Dry like Tanqueray, Beefeater or Bombay.

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH IS USED?

You can serve an Elderflower Smash in a lowball or Old-Fashioned glass, on the rocks and garnished with a lemon wedge and fresh sprig of mint.

WHAT OTHER SPIRITS CAN BE USED IN PLACE OF GIN?

Vodka is a fine substitute for the gin, and will help amplify the mint and elderflower notes in the drink. You can also play around with blanco tequila and silver rum, as the clear-colored spirits won’t overpower the other flavors.

Similar Cocktails To The Elderflower Smash

If a citrusy and minty dram is what you’re in the mood for this evening, you can’t go wrong with an Elderflower Smash. And if that stirred your taste buds into a frenzy, here are a few more refreshing concoctions that will excite your senses and relax your soul. Check these out below, and explore the site for even more ideas.

• Bourbon Smash – Smooth and smoky, this Smash is sure to satisfy.
• Whiskey Smash – Spicy, fresh and a little sweet, this beverage is a surefire refresher.
• Gin Mint Julep – Crisp and invigorating, this gin-based Julep will please your taste buds.
• Caipirinha – Muddle limes with sugar and mix with cachaça to make this Brazilian classic.