This Strawberry-Cucumber Gin Elderflower Spritz is a refreshing and bubbly recipe, which is made with fresh strawberries and St-Germain elderflower liqueur. It’s the perfect summer cocktail, ready in about 15 minutes.
Strawberry-Cucumber Gin Elderflower Spritz Recipe Ingredients
- 12 strawberries, hulled and sliced (1 ¼ cups)
- 12 thin cucumber slices, halved (¾ cup)
- 2 tablespoons superfine sugar
- 3 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 9 ounces gin, chilled
- 6 ounces St-Germain, chilled
- Club soda, chilled
- Peychaud’s bitters, for serving
- Whole berries, for garnish
- Whole cucumber rounds, for garnish
How To Make Strawberry-Cucumber Gin Elderflower Spritz Recipe
- Muddle the Fruit and Sugar: In the bottom of a large pitcher, combine the sliced strawberries, halved cucumber slices, superfine sugar, and fresh lemon juice. Use a muddler to gently press and mash the fruits until they break down, release their juices, and the sugar has dissolved.
- Add the Spirits: Pour the chilled gin and St-Germain elderflower liqueur into the pitcher. Stir to combine with the muddled fruit mixture.
- Prepare the Glasses: Fill 6 glasses halfway with ice. Evenly divide the fruit and gin mixture among the prepared glasses.
- Top and Garnish: Top each drink with 1 to 2 ounces of chilled club soda and stir gently once. Add a few dashes of Peychaud’s bitters to each glass. Garnish with whole strawberries and cucumber rounds, and serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- What is muddling? Muddling is a technique used in bartending to gently mash herbs, fruits, and spices in the bottom of a glass or pitcher to release their flavors. Use a cocktail muddler or the back of a wooden spoon.
- Can I make this non-alcoholic? For a delicious mocktail version, you can replace the gin with a non-alcoholic gin alternative (like Seedlip) and the St-Germain with elderflower syrup. Top with extra club soda.
- What is St-Germain? St-Germain is a popular French liqueur made from fresh, handpicked elderflower blossoms. It has a sweet, floral, and slightly fruity taste that is very distinctive.
- Can I make a big batch for a party? Yes, this cocktail is perfect for a crowd. You can complete the first two steps (muddling the fruit and adding the spirits) and store the mixture in a pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. When guests arrive, simply pour over ice and top with club soda and bitters.
What To Serve With This Spritz
This light and refreshing cocktail pairs wonderfully with equally light and fresh appetizers.
- A platter of soft cheeses like goat cheese or brie with crackers
- Prosciutto-wrapped melon or figs
- A simple Caprese salad
- Shrimp cocktail or ceviche
- Cucumber and smoked salmon bites
How to Prepare Ahead
- Refrigerate: This cocktail is best assembled right before serving to maintain its fizz. However, you can prepare the base ahead of time. Muddle the fruits with sugar and lemon juice, then stir in the gin and St-Germain. This mixture can be stored in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. Add ice, club soda, and bitters just before serving.
Strawberry-Cucumber Gin Elderflower Spritz Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Sugar: 15g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Yes. A classic London Dry gin works perfectly, but a more floral or botanical-forward gin would also beautifully complement the elderflower and fruit flavors.
Peychaud’s is an aromatic bitters with dominant notes of anise and cherry, and a distinctive red color. If you don’t have it, Angostura bitters can be used as a substitute, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
Fresh strawberries are best for muddling as they release better flavor and have a better texture. If you must use frozen, thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before muddling.
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Strawberry-Cucumber Gin Elderflower Spritz Recipe
Description
A light, bubbly, and refreshing gin spritz with the fresh flavors of muddled strawberries, cucumber, and floral elderflower liqueur.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a pitcher, muddle strawberries, cucumber, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Stir in chilled gin and St-Germain.
- Fill 6 glasses halfway with ice.
- Divide the gin mixture among the glasses.
- Top each glass with 1-2 oz club soda and a few dashes of bitters.
- Garnish with fresh strawberries and cucumber rounds.
Notes
- For best results, use chilled ingredients to keep the spritz cold and refreshing.
- The cocktail base can be prepared up to 8 hours in advance and stored in the fridge.
- Adjust the amount of club soda to your preferred level of fizziness.
- Don’t over-muddle the fruit; you want to release the juices, not pulverize it into a pulp.