Elderflower Sparkler

A sparking Elderflower Cocktail has just the right amount of floral, sweet and acidic notes make it totally unforgettable. With three simple ingredients, it’ll be the hit at any party!

about this elderflower sparkler cocktail

You know those fancy cocktails that look super complicated but are actually incredibly easy to make? This elderflower champagne situation is exactly that.

Whenever I’m in the mood to celebrate, I always bust out the champagne after all.

It’s basically a dressed-up French 75, but instead of simple syrup, you’re using elderflower liqueur to give it that floral, slightly sweet taste. Stir that up with some tart lime juice and dry champagne and you’ve got yourself one killer cocktail.

The elderflower brings this lightly fruity, almost honey-like sweetness to the party. But don’t worry, the floral notes are not overpowering. The zesty lime cuts through to keep things bright and refreshing. And of course, the champagne adds all those little bubbles that make you feel like you’re living that bougie life.

Whether you’re celebrating something special or just treating yourself on a random Tuesday, this elderflower champagne cocktail is the move. It’s elegant but not pretentious. Fancy but, like, chill fancy.

Note: this is an updated version of the original recipe and post published on December 31, 2015. The recipe has been updated and the post now includes helpful information and FAQs.

ingredients

elderflower liqueur. We like to use St. Germain! You can use any brand you like though.

lime juice. Fresh lime juice is preferred for this recipe. You can also use store bought lime juice.

champagne. Use brut champagne for this recipe for the best flavor!

this recipe’s must haves

This cocktail doesn’t require anything fancy to make it! You can serve it in a champagne flute but we really like to use coupe glasses for an elegant touch.

here’s how to make an elderflower cocktail

assemble in the glass

Pour St. Germain and lime juice into a champagne glass or cocktail glass. Stir to combine. Top with champagne. Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.

tips and tricks

chill all the ingredients. For a perfectly chilled drink, chill all of the ingredients in the refrigerator first! You can even chill your cocktail glass for a frosted glass.

use fresh lime juice. Fresh lime juice is best! Juice the lime and then strain the juice to avoid any pulp in your drink.

variations

add gin. Add 1 ounce of gin to make this cocktail to make it an elderflower gin cocktail.

use another citrus juice. Instead of using lime juice, you can use fresh lemon juice or fresh grapefruit juice for the tartness in this cocktail.

add bitters. A couple dashes of your favorite bitters can elevate this cocktail! Anything with citrus is a favorite for us.

More bubbly cocktail recipes: Champagne Sangria | Strawberry Champagne | Strawberry Margarita Mimosa | Cranberry Mimosa

can I make this non-alcoholic?

You can turn this into a mocktail! Use elderflower syrup instead of St. Germain. Instead of champagne, use a non-alcoholic champagne. You could even use tonic water or club soda, if you want to.

should I use champagne or prosecco?

To make sure this cocktail isn’t too sweet, use a brut champagne for this recipe. You can also use a dry sparkling wine. Prosecco can be used, but it will make the cocktail sweeter than the original recipe intends.

do I need to strain the lime juice?

While you don’t have to strain the lime juice, we recommend doing so to avoid little pieces of pulp floating around in your drink.

can I make this into a big batch cocktail?

Yes, this drink is perfect for turning into a big batch cocktail for a party! To serve 6, add 6 oz (3/4 cup) St. Germain, 3 oz strained lime juice, and one 750ml bottle champagne to a pitcher. Make sure to chill all your ingredients beforehand! Stir to combine and serve.

Need some inspiration for cocktail hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with an elderflower cocktail

This elderflower cocktail can be served with appetizers before a meal, at a party when turned into a pitcher drink, with a tasty dinner, paired with brunch, or with dessert to celebrate at the end of a meal. The combination of bubbly champagne and sweet elderflower is ideal for any occasion!

Elderflower pairs well with a variety of flavors including lamb, asparagus, mint, cheese, cured meats, and salmon. Here are some of our favorite appetizers, main dishes and desserts to pair with this cocktail:

Herb crusted rack of lamb or ancho chili rubbed leg of lamb are simple lamb recipes that are ideal for serving to a crowd for a special occasion.

Creamy risotto with asparagus and peas is a comforting dish that can be served as a side dish to baked lemon garlic salmon or even as a vegetarian main.

Serving this at a party? Try roasted asparagus herb ricotta crostini or a summer charcuterie board as snacks to feed a crowd.

Enjoy sweet coffee cookies or pistachio dark chocolate cookies as a treat to celebrate a special occasion.

more floral cocktails to make

Our Joey’s daiquiri is an elderflower twist on the classic Hemingway daiquiri. You’ll love how light and refreshing it is!

A lavender rosé royale cocktail is sophisticated, yet simple to make with a subtle floral flavor.

Make a big batch of lavender lemonade for your next cocktail party! It’s the perfect vodka cocktail for a warm day.

A refreshing cucumber martini is fresh, seasonal, and super easy to make!

Finally, if you make this sparkling elderflower cocktail recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on **Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest** if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!