One springy, summery cocktail, coming up: Elderflower Fizz

Vodka, St~Germain, champagne, lime juice, simple syrup and a sprig of fresh thyme create a bright, herby, seasonal drink. Recipe below.

WE DON’T ALWAYS DRINK ON THE JOB at my office, but when we do, we do it right. As we continue to work from home, the ad agency where I work is making sure to keep us connected, keep the lively agency culture strong. Most recently, they did it with a cocktail class.

The class was the work of the Fun Committee—yes, our company has one and they take their job seriously. For this particular virtual event, they didn’t just offer instruction, they delivered cocktail kits to everyone. We were making two cocktails, so our kits included little airplane-sized bottles of gin and vodka, and a split of champagne. They also included these lovely little bottles of liqueurs, bottled and hand-labeled by the committee.

The beautiful crème de violette and luxardo were for the first cocktail. The St~Germain was for the Elderflower Fizz, the bubbly drink we’re sharing today. This French liqueur made from fresh elderflowers was first introduced in 2007. It was a huge hit and quickly became a cocktail add-on go-to—bartenders affectionately refer to it as bartender’s ketchup for its ability to save cocktails that aren’t working. It’s easy to see why. St~Germain has a lightly herbal, floral, slightly sweet flavor that plays well with many spirits and mixers. It also comes in a swell, tall bottle (when not rebottled by the Fun Committee).

Our class mixologist was my colleague Andy. Before his career change to advertising, he had worked as a waiter and bartender, so he knows his way around a cocktail shaker. Andy also has a nice, easygoing bartender’s manner—he’s the kind of guy whose work schedule you’d memorize just to show up and hang out with him. He kept us entertained, sharing some cocktail history as he walked us through making our drinks.

The Elderflower Fizz is a light, fresh, herbal cocktail that tastes like spring turning into summer. Appropriately enough, Marion and I had it in our backyard, watching our garden turn the seasonal corner.

Print Pin

Elderflower Fizz

Vodka, St~Germain, champagne, lime juice, simple syrup and a sprig of fresh thyme create a bright, herby, summery drink.

Course Drinks

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

• 1/2 ounce vodka
• 1/2 ounce St~Germain
• 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• champagne
• 1 sprig fresh thyme for garnish (optional, but not really—see Kitchen Notes)

Instructions

• If you’re not lazy like me, chill your champagne flute, filling it with ice and water before beginning to make your cocktail. Or don’t.
• Combine vodka, St~Germain, lime juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously for 20 – 30 seconds (your hand should get painfully cold).
• Empty your chilled (or not) flute, strain the shaker contents into it, then top with champagne.
• Lay a sprig of thyme lengthwise in the palm of one hand and slap your other hand down on it, once. Place the now bruised and fragrant sprig into the glass and serve.

Kitchen Notes

Please don’t skip the thyme. It adds herbal-forward power to the drink—it’s the first thing you smell when you bring the glass to your lips. Also, slapping the thyme in your hands is an impressive bartender move. Do it.