Our take
St-Germain is the liqueur that turned elderflower from a hedgerow curiosity into a bar staple. Pale gold in the bottle, it tastes like honey, pear and a floral note that reminds you vaguely of lychee without being tropical. Sweet, yes, but not syrupy – there’s enough acidity to keep it in balance.
The art-deco bottle is ridiculous and we love it. A bar spoon of St-Germain is the secret in countless ‘why is this so good?’ cocktails at places you can’t get a table at.
What to mix it with
Hugo Spritz (non-negotiable), Elderflower Collins, French 77, anywhere a splash of floral sweetness lifts gin, prosecco or tequila.
Background
Launched in 2007, St-Germain is made each year from fresh elderflowers hand-picked in the French Alps. The window is short – a few weeks in May. The flowers are carried down the mountain on bicycles and macerated within hours, which the brand has leaned into as its whole identity.
Recipes and cocktails this pairs with
Every post on Food & Drinks that recommends this bottle.
