Cocktail in a can: just add gin to Trader Joe’s Lemon Elderflower Soda

Gin and store-bought lemon elderflower soda—and maybe optional lemon—make a quick, refreshing summer cocktail. Recipe below.

[su_dropcap style=”flat”]W[/su_dropcap]e’re big fans of fancy cocktails. We like the arcane ingredients, the layered flavors, the rituals of making them. We like sitting at bars and watching bartenders construct artisanal cocktails (everything is artisanal these days, so why not cocktails?). We like making them at home. But sometimes, all you need is something cold, refreshing, boozy and easy to make. This cocktail is exactly that.

On a recent Trader Joe’s visit, Marion spotted little four packs of Lemon Elderflower Soda. Elderflower blossoms are the key ingredient in St-Germain, a sublime liqueur that is always in our liquor cabinet, so we said sign us up.

The lemon elderflower soda comes in slender 8.4-ounce cans. Chilled and served over ice, it’s a refreshing drink on its own, lemony and not overly sweet. And while “on its own” is fine, Marion’s immediate thought was “this could use a little gin.” She was right.

Trader Joe’s sells its four packs of Lemon Elderflower Soda for $3.49. One can will make two or three cocktails, depending on how much space in the glass gets taken up by gin and ice.

Gin Lemon Elderflower
Makes 1 cocktail

You can keep this cocktail as simple as gin, soda and ice. If you’re feeling fancy, you can add a slice of lemon and a squeeze of lemon juice.

2 ounces gin (any gin you like will work—we’re enjoying Hendricks now)
Trader Joe’s Lemon Elderflower Soda
lemon juice and lemon slice for garnish, optional

Fill a large rocks glass or a Collins glass with ice. Add gin. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, if using. Add soda to fill, and stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon slice, if you like. Serve.