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St Germain liqueur is one of the hottest ingredient in co*cktails! Here’s more about this elderflower liqueur and the best ways to use it.
Got a bottle of St Germain, or wondering whether it’s worth the purchase? St Germain is one of the hottest ingredients in co*cktails, and here’s a secret: it’s also one of the newest liqueurs to hit the scene. Is it worth all the hype? We think so. Here’s more about this elderflower liqueur and how to use it in homemade co*cktails of all kinds.
What is St Germain?
St Germain is a liqueur that’s made with elderflowers, the small white flowers of an elderberry plant. With its beautiful vintage bottle, it looks like a liqueur that’s been produced for centuries by French monks like Chartreuse. But turns out, it’s a lot more modern than you might expect.
St Germain liqueur was invented in 2007 by a man named Rob Cooper, inspired by a craft co*cktail he tasted in a bar made in London made with elderflower syrup. He worked in the liquor business and wondered: could he made a liqueur that would bottle up that incredible sweet and floral flavor? He did, and St Germain was born. (Read more about the story behind St Germain here.)
How do you say St Germain?Don’t say “Saint”. It’s actually pronounced “Sahn-jer-MAHN.” But however you want to say it to not sound too pretentious with your friends, go for it!
What does St Germain taste like?
St Germain has become widely popular because there’s really nothing like it. The flavor is light, sweetly floral, and fragrant, with notes of citrus, pear and passionfruit. It’s hard to describe until you taste it! It adds a unique smooth finish to any drink.
Are there any substitutes?Look for elderflower syrup at the store or online. You can also make homemade elderflower liqueur or syrup if you have access to fresh elderflowers. (We don’t, but they’re more common in Europe!) For a non-alcoholic substitute, try elderflower juice: it’s available at IKEA stores or online.
Why we like it
St Germain adds an intoxicating, beautifully floral finish to any co*cktail. We can’t get enough of it, around here! It has the unexpected intrigue and nuanced flavor that’s hard to put into words. It’s our favorite a French Gimlet or St Germain French 75.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liquors, St Germain ismid-priced. It costs about $15 per 375 ml bottle and about $25 to $30 for a 750 ml bottle. The shelf life of St Germain is about 6 months, and you can store it unrefrigerated.
Most popular St Germain co*cktails
St Germain features in many several great co*cktails: here are some favorites worth trying!
St Germain Champagne co*cktail
St Germain pairs perfectly with bubbles! This co*cktail tastes floral, botanical, tangy, and bubbly all at once.
Ingredients: St Germain, champagne, gin, lemon juice
French Gimlet
Just three ingredients go into this chic drink, and it’s a fun way to mix up co*cktail night.It's an elderflower spin on the gin gimlet.
Ingredients: St Germain, gin, lime juice
Hugo
The Hugo is a bubbly Italian spritz made with elderflower liqueur and Prosecco! It’s the perfect refreshing drink.
Ingredients: St Germain liqueur, Prosecco or other sparkling wine, soda water, mint
St Germain Spritz
Bubbly and floral, this St Germain Spritz is the ideal refreshing co*cktail! An easy way to use this elderflower liqueur, it takes only 3 minutes to make.
Ingredients: St Germain, sparkling wine, soda water
This champagne co*cktail is a spin on the classicFrench 75that addsSt Germainelderflower liqueur. It’s bubbly and effervescent, with the floral undertones, a botanical pop from the gin and the zing of fresh lemon juice.
Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, Champagne, St Germain
Skeleton Key
Here’s a fun drink that’s easy to whip up and packs a massive flavor punch: theSkeleton Key co*cktail! This combination of bourbon, elderflower and ginger beer is a unique highball drink that’s bubbly, floral, and bittersweet! Topping it off with bitters creates a floating orange haze.
Ingredients:Bourbon, St Germain, lemon, ginger beer, Angostura bitters
Other co*cktails
This elderflower liqueur is also included in the following drinks:
- Mix it with cranberry and lemon to make a makeshift Cosmo.
- Mix it with St Germain, lemon juice, bitters, and tonic water.
- Cucumber Martini A cool, crisp take on theclassic martinistarring cucumber, vodka, and the floral notes of St Germain.
St Germain French 75
- Author: Sonja Overhiser
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
Description
This St Germain champagne co*cktail mixes elderflower liqueur with champagne, lemon, and gin. A sophisticated bubbly drink perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) St Germain
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) gin
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
- ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) simple syrup or pure maple syrup
- 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) champagne (about ½ glass)*
Instructions
- Place the St. Germain, gin, lemon juice, and syrup in a co*cktail shaker with ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold. Strain the liquid into a champagne flute.
- Top off the glass with champagne (no need to measure). Garnish and serve. (Note: You can also make a large batch of the St. Germain, gin, lemon juice, and syrup ahead if desired, then measure out 6 tablespoons per glass.)
Notes
*You’ll get about 8 to 10 drinks per 1 bottle of champagne. Make it non-alcoholic by using non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: co*cktails
- Diet: Vegan
Keywords: St Germain
More co*cktail guides
Wondering what Campari is? Or St Germain or Chartreuse?Here are a few more guides to co*cktail and mixology:
- Guide to Orange LiqueurAll you need to know about this somewhat confusing style of liquor.
- Quick Guide to CointreauandQuick Guide to Grand Marnier
- Quick Guide to ChartreuseThis pale green liqueur is worth adding to your collection…here’s why.
- Quick Guide to AbsintheThis formerly banned liquor is now in good graces.
- Guide to Creme de CacaoThis chocolate liqueur is key to many popular after dinner drinks.
- Guide to GrenadineIt’s mistaken as cherry, but this bright syrup has a secret.
Published on / Last updated on
Categorized In:
- Liquor Guides
Tagged with:
- Roundup
- St Germain
About the authors
Sonja & Alex
Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.
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