I’m practicing my bartending skills again, this time with an elderflower gin and tonic recipe with cucumber. You know how much I love easy recipes, and that includes cocktails as well. This one has only three ingredients plus the garnish. How easy is that?!
This post is intended for viewers 21 and older. For more cocktail recipes see my post Classic Whiskey Sour Cocktail Recipe and Best Bloody Mary Cocktail Recipe.
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Today’s cocktail features St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur for a tropical citrus flavor that is bright and delicate. I love turning a classic cocktail such as the gin and tonic, into something extra special to enjoy as a little seasonal treat.
Not too long ago I did the same thing with the classic margarita, and I’m still getting request to make more. To see my post click on Elderflower Grapefruit Margarita Cocktail Recipe.
Garnish is a little addition that can make a big difference as far as presentation goes, and I often think of is as icing on the cake. It can look pretty, or it can be a flavor enhancer, or both.
Cucumber creates such a pretty garnish for a gin and tonic, and it also adds to the aromatic flavors with its light clean scent.
For this recipe I’m using a Japanese cucumber. I think they taste better than regular cucumbers, and they have smaller seeds. So when you swing by the market to get limes and lemons don’t forget to pick up a cucumber or two.
Elderflower Gin And Tonic Recipe
- 2 ounces dry gin
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur (I use St. Germain)
- 2 ounces tonic water (I use Fever Tree)
- cucumber slice or ribbon
- 1 lime or lemon wedge
Combine gin, St. Germain and tonic water in a glass and give it a quick stir. Add ice cubes and a squeeze of lime. Garnish with a ribbon of cucumber on a cocktail pick.
Cucumber Ribbon Garnish
The easiest way to make cucumber ribbons is with a vegetable peeler. Take your cucumber ribbon and gently fold it like you’re creating a wavy pattern, then insert a cocktail pick through the middle.
As you can see I got a little carried away making cucumber ribbons. If you get carried away too, just remember you can always make a salad with the leftovers.
Notes For Elderflower Gin And Tonic Recipe
For those who enjoy a more generous pour of tonic water you will want to use a highball glass. The traditional gin and tonic calls for 4 to 6 ounces of tonic water, but I love a more distinct taste of gin in my cocktail. Give me just a splash or two of tonic and I’m good!
My favorite tonic water is Fever Tree, and I usually buy the light version with less calories. Fever Tree also has flavored tonic waters including cucumber. So if you wanting to bump up the cucumber flavor in your gin and tonic you might want to look for it at your liquor store.
My favorite dry gins include The Botanist, Caorunn, and Tanqueray. Each one has its own distinct floral and herbal character, which makes delicious tasting cocktails every time.
Shop For Cocktail Supplies
- cocktail napkins
- highball glass set
- double old fashioned glass set
- double cocktail jigger
- vegetable peeler
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with recipe ideas that you can use right now!
Have a great week and remember to always drink responsibly!
Cheers!
ELDERFLOWER GIN AND TONIC RECIPE
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dry gin
- 1 ounce elderflower liqueur I use St. Germain
- 2 ounces tonic water I use Fever Tree
- cucumber slice or ribbon
- 1 lime or lemon wedge
Instructions
- Combine gin, St. Germain and tonic water in a glass and give it a quick stir. Add ice cubes and a squeeze of lime. Garnish with a ribbon of cucumber on a cocktail pick.
Notes
Cucumber Ribbon Garnish
The easiest way to make cucumber ribbons is with a vegetable peeler. Take your cucumber ribbon and gently fold it like you're creating a wavy pattern, then insert a cocktail pick through the middle.©2022 Elderflower Gin And Tonic Recipe With Cucumber post first appeared on Thistle Key Lane™.