St Elder Natural Elderflower

ST ELDER Natural Elderflower is a 20% ABV liqueur from Massachusetts, made around elderflower, the blossom behind the floral cordial flavor that bartenders have leaned on for years. The name and category point to a flower-forward bottle rather than a fruit or spice liqueur. Expect a perfumed nose of white blossom, with lychee-like and pear-like notes that elderflower often shows, and a taste that sits on the sweeter side of the shelf, as most liqueurs do. At 20% it is lighter than a spirit-strength bottle, so it behaves more like a cordial than a base liquor. That moderate strength and gentle sweetness make it most useful as a cocktail modifier. A small measure, usually a half ounce to an ounce, can sweeten and perfume a drink without taking it over. It suits gin particularly well, since the juniper and citrus in a London dry or a more botanical gin pair easily with floral notes. Try it in a Hugo Spritz with prosecco, soda and fresh mint, or in a French 75 variation where it replaces some of the simple syrup. It also fits a gin sour with lemon juice, a vodka and grapefruit highball, or a tequila drink with lime, where the floral lift softens the agave. Because it carries its own sweetness, trim added sugar when substituting it into an existing recipe, then adjust to taste. For simple serving, pour it over plenty of ice in a rocks glass or a stemmed wine glass and top with two to three parts chilled soda water or tonic, then add a lemon or lime wedge. A cucumber slice or a sprig of mint also works. Poured neat, it is best well chilled, in a small cordial or cocktail glass, since cold tames the sweetness and keeps the floral aroma clean. A few ounces added to a glass of sparkling wine makes an easy aperitif. At the table, floral liqueurs like this usually go well with fresh goat cheese, melon with prosciutto, light fruit tarts, shortbread, or a lemony panna cotta. Keep the bottle cool and out of direct light after opening; liqueurs in this style generally hold their flavor for a long time, though the delicate floral aromatics are at their brightest when the bottle is fresh.