The Elderflower Manhattan's base of Japanese whisky works well with the drink's namesake liqueur. Photo by Jeff Harris
Elderflower liqueur, with a base of macerated elderflower blossoms, smells very similar to the shrub itself, whose flowers bloom in late spring and become berries in summer, notes Jonathan Adler, beverage director at Shinji’s in New York City. “It has a very sweet, honeyed, grassy nose and it works beautifully in a cocktail as a modifier,” he says. “I really like elderflower liqueur’s versatility in different cocktails. And it works very well in whisky cocktails because the sweetness of the grains and barrel flavors are complemented by the liqueur’s floral notes.”
The best-known elderflower liqueur is St-Germain, which Adler says is often called “bartender’s ketchup” for its approachability and usefulness in cocktails. “Even a quarter-ounce can bring a level of depth and complexity,” he says, adding that he also enjoys Giffard’s version, which has a very pronounced floral note and lower sugar content than St-Germain.
While Adler says that the liqueur pairs beautifully with all types of whisky, he does have some favorites. “I very much prefer to mix it with Japanese whisky, ideally something more grain-forward,” he says. “And Irish whiskey because it inherently has some floral honeyed notes.”
Recipes by Jonathan Adler
Elderflower Manhattan
- 2 oz. Nikke From The Barrel
- 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur
- 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Still all ingredients with ice and strain into a coupe or Nick and Nora glass. Express an orange pell over the drink then use as garnish.
Whiskey Flower
- 2 oz. Kanosuke whisky
- 1 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- 1 egg white
Dry shake all ingredients for 10 seconds. Add ice and shake for 20 seconds. Double strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
Glasgow Mule
- 2 oz. Powers Gold Label
- 1/2 oz. elderflower liqueur
- 3/4 oz. simple syrup
- 3/4 oz. lemon juice
- 2 cucumber slices
Muddle cucumber slices, syrup, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Add remaining ingredients and shake. Double strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
