The Elderflower Margarita - bright and fresh, with floral notes, citrus, that pairs perfectly with your favorite tequila. It's a refreshing upgrade to the classic margarita and I would have to say it is dangerously delicious. With just three ingredients... tequila, St. Germain liqueur and fresh squeezed lime juice, this Elderflower cocktail is the perfect blend of citrus and floral!
What can I say, I like to do my research, ahem.😉
This post has been updated since it was originally posted in February 2016.
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What’s your cocktail of choice? I have several I rotate between. The Lemon Drop sweet and sour, perfectly balanced, refreshing, and always delicious.
The Vesper is almost a savory cocktail with a twist. It was invented by author Ian Fleming for his iconic British secret agent, James Bond. The drink first appeared in Casino Royale, published in 1953. Bond orders it as a dry martini, his signature drink and provides strict instructions on how to prepare it.
And then, of course, there’s the beloved Margarita!
I have several margarita recipes on the blog that I enjoy... the Fresh Strawberry Margarita, the Smoky Mango Margarita, and the Mango Strawberry Margarita. All fruity and delicious!
A margarita made properly, you can't beat it. I like mine with fresh lime juice.
Personally, I’m a reposado girl because I love that warm, earthy flavor. That said, silver tequila is a great choice too when you’re in the mood for something a little brighter and crisp.
Naturally, every good margarita needs a touch of sweetness—whether it’s Cointreau, Grand Marnier, or, in this case, St. Germain liqueur or elderflower liqueur.
The Elderflower Margarita - St. Germain Liqueur
If you haven’t tried elderflower liqueur before, it’s the star ingredient in the well-known St. Germain Cocktail.
St. Germain is not just a cocktail it is the name of the first elderflower liqueur created. Wikipedia explains it so well and reveals the the details about this special spirit.
"It is made using the petals of Sambucus nigra from the Savoie region in France. Each bottle is numbered with the year the petals were collected. Petals are collected annually in the spring over a period of three to four weeks. They are often transported by bicycle to collection points. This avoids damaging the petals and thus affecting the flavor."
It's a perfectly balanced liqueur. With it's fresh natural sweetness and notes of pear and honeysuckle it the best companion for any margarita recipe.
When mixed with fresh lime juice and your favorite tequila it becomes a special creation for any fiesta or day ending in "y".
Ingredients Needed
- 2 oz Reposado Tequila: Provides a smooth, aged flavor that is the base of the margarita.
- 1 oz St-Germain Liqueur: Adds a sweet, floral note that elevates the drink.
- 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice: Brings a bright tartness that balances the sweetness.
- Lime Wheel (for garnish): Adds a fresh, citrus aroma and makes it special and pretty.
How to Make an Elderflower Margarita
- Prepare Your Glass: Rim a glass with salt or sugar for added flavor and balance.
- Combine Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, elderflower liqueur, and lime juice.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
- Serve: Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish: Add a lime wheel to the rim the glass or float on top.
Tips & Tricks
- Fresh is Best: Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
- Quality Tequila Matters: Opt for a good quality reposado tequila (or silver tequila) for a smooth flavor.
- Customize Sweetness: Adjust the amount of St. Germain liqueur to suit your taste preferences.
- Chill Your Glass: For an extra-refreshing experience, chill your glassware before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, while reposado tequila offers a smooth flavor, blanco tequila can also be used for a brighter taste.
Substitute tequila with a non-alcoholic spirit and use elderflower syrup instead of liqueur.
Absolutely! Multiply the ingredients by the number of servings and mix in a pitcher. Wait to add the ice until your ready to serve the elderflower cocktail.
This Elderflower Margarita is a refreshing take on a classic favorite. Its balance of sweet, tart, and floral flavors makes it a standout choice for any occasion.
Easy to make and delightful to drink, this elderflower cocktail it's sure to become a staple in your libation rotation.
Salud!
What to Serve with this Margarita Recipe
- Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
- Mexican Pizzas
- Homemade “Refried” Beans
- Holy Guacamole
- Cheesy Corn Dip
- Salsa Suprema
- Low Carb Instant Pot Mexican Chicken
- Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
The Elderflower Margarita Recipe
The perfect blend of citrus and floral in this St Germain margarita!
Ingredients
- 2 ounces good reposado tequila, (my suggestion: Don Julio rocks!)
- 1 ounce St-Germain Elderflower Liquor
- 1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
- sliced lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously.
- Strain and serve with a lime wheel slice garnish.
Nutrition Information
Yield
1Serving Size
1 cocktailAmount Per Serving Calories 241Unsaturated Fat 0gSodium 1mgCarbohydrates 13gSugar 11g
Tina
Hello! Any chance you can share your recipe for the St. Germain Cocktail? Thanks!!
Bryan
Hi, I found the recipe for the St. Germain cocktail that we referred to in this post. It's super-easy! Just dry sparkling wine, sparkling water, and St. Germain! Here's the full recipe on their site: https://www.stgermain.fr/cocktails/the-st-germain-spritz/22536. Cheers!
Regine Burns
Can this drink be made in larger quantities? I'm having a get together, and am looking for drinks that possibly can be made in pitcher for guests to enjoy.
Thank you
Bryan
Hi Regine, yes of course! This recipe can absolutely be made in larger quantities... Just double, triple, or more... I love the idea of making a batch in advance for holiday entertaining like Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy!
Pamela Alston
I had this elderflower reposado margarita last night for the first time...as a bartender I love making margaritas but I don't care to drink them... but this drink was amazing!!!
holly
Oh wow - that's high praise coming from you, Pamela! Thank you so much for your kind words and taking the time to share your feedback!
Sandra Rowland
Elderflower is my favorite flavor so we go through quite a bit of St. Germaine. My favorite drink is a variation of aa Aviation, using St. Germaine instead of Luxardo. Summer has arrived and a margarita sounds good, a Elderflower margarita sounds even better! One question for you, did you use sugar or salt on the glass rim?
Thanks!
holly
Hi Sandra, your version of an Aviation sounds yummy! I usually salt the rim for this drink but my husband likes to use sugar on his. I say try it both ways and see what you like best Take care!
Michael
I add the juice of a blood orange to your margarita. Since I don't ski anymore, I can get through winter with blood oranges. I used my last oranges Saturday, alas.
holly
That sounds delicious, Michael. Blood oranges are a favorite of mine. Take care!
Cliff
Hi Holly, I added 1 oz of orange blossom honey that I made into simple syrup and 3 oz of club soda to your recipe. Wow!
Thanks for the recipe!
holly
Hi Cliff! Sounds like some nice additions. Glad you enjoyed it!
Mirlandra
This looks amazing! I'm so curious to try it. This is the 2nd time I have heard of this Elderflower liquor. I really need to pick some up.
holly
Hi Mirlandra! Thanks so much! Elderflower liquor is super yummy! It goes great with champagne and even vodka with a little lime.
Allen Darby
Love the Margarita!
Where did you get those glasses in the picture? I LOVE them
holly
Hi Allen! Thanks so much! I purchased the glasses at Crate and Barrel last year. I hope they still have them.
Samantha
Looks simple!
Liz @ Ready To Yumble
Yassss! I love St. Germain, and I'm crazy about margaritas, but I've never put them together...clearly that's changing tonight. Your photos are beautiful BTW!
holly
Thanks so much Liz! That's how I felt when I put them together! You're a girl after my own heart! Please let me know what you think?