In the heat of the summer, nothing is more relaxing than kicking back with an ice-cold drink. With an abundance of elderflowers here in Southern California, I decided to get creative. What I came up with was an elderflower cocktail drink that is very refreshing and can be made for anyone. I tend to avoid alcohol, but this cocktail can turn into a mocktail very easily and has the same refreshing experience.
The drink is based on my Elderflower Oxymel recipe. Using the Elderflower Oxymel as the base, you get a deliciously sweet and tart cocktail that is so refreshing when chilled. Let’s dive into how to use the oxymel as a base for a delicious elderflower cocktail.
P.S. The beautiful hemp dress in the photo is from Son De Flor.
Basic Elderflower Cocktail Recipe
As the base of the recipe, we use the elderflower oxymel. The oxymel includes infused elderflowers, honey, and apple cider vinegar. This combination adds sweetness with the honey and the aromatics of the elderflowers. The apple cider vinegar adds a tartness.
With those flavor notes, I recommend an effervescent such as sparkling water. If you want a subtle hint of fruit, I’d recommend a 100% natural sparkling beverage, I really love the brand Mountain Valley as far as sparkling waters go.
For the alcohol, I’d recommend a shot glass of organic vodka. The vodka will round out the cocktail without interfering with the delicious flavor of the elderflower oxymel. Gin would provide a way too overpowering taste and would clash with the oxymel.
Take all of the ingredients and mix together over ice and stir until fully mixed. To garnish the drink, I’d recommend an orange slice.
Creating an Elderflower Mocktail
If you are like myself and choose not to drink alcohol, the oxymel makes an absolutely stunning mocktail. When making the mocktail, you can either leave out the vodka entirely or substitute it with a non-alcoholic spirit. I choose Seedlip Non-Alcohol Spirit as an amazing alternative if you are someone who prefers making mocktails. Seedlip is a traditionally distilled herbal spirit that lacks alcohol. It gives the mouthfeel of alcohol which rounds out the mocktail. I’ve given this elderflower mocktail to friends who drink alcohol and some of them even prefer it.
Delicious Variations
With any cocktail or mocktail, the goal is to combine flavor notes that complement and relax. For the alcohol base of the elderflower cocktail, I’d stick with vodka. Other distilled spirits will clash with the light flavor of the elderflower oxymel. From that base, any citrus flavor notes will complement the oxymel. You could mix in a squeeze of lemon or lime, or add a few slices of orange directly to the drink.
Beyond citrus, a muddled maraschino cherry, or a few raspberries at the bottom of the drink would be absolutely delicious. It will get a little sweeter than the citrus counterparts, but will still be delicious and relaxing!
Additional Mocktail Recipes
- Raspberry Rose Shrub Drink
- Autumn Hibiscus Cider
- How to Make a Homemade Elderflower Oxymel
- Late Summer Ruby Red Grapefruit & Thyme Spritzer
Elderflower Cocktail (or Mocktail) Drink Recipe
In the heat of the summer, try this super easy Elderflower Cocktail (or Mocktail) for a nice delicious drink.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup of Elderflower Oxymel
- 1 cup of sparkling water
- 2 tablespoons of Seedlip (for Mocktail)
- 2 tablespoons of vodka (for Cocktail version)
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey to taste for sweetener
- 1 tablespoon of fresh citrus fruit juice (optional)
Instructions
- Strain your Elderflower Oxymel.
- Add all the ingredients into glasses of choice!
- Enjoy!