Gin and Elderflower Stirred Sour
A crisp gin cocktail blended with floral elderflower liqueur and tart lemon juice, stirred to silky smoothness and served with a delicate herb garnish. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 7 minutes brings together dry gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 165 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz dry gin
- 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
- 1 fresh thyme sprig
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice cubes. Add 2 oz dry gin, 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup.
- Step 2: Stir gently for 25 seconds with a bar spoon until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 3: Double strain into a chilled coupe glass to remove ice shards.
- Step 4: Clap a fresh thyme sprig between your hands to release its oils and set it delicately on the surface as garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gin and Elderflower Stirred Sour take to make?
Total time is about 7 minutes (7 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Gin and Elderflower Stirred Sour?
Refrigerate any leftover gin and elderflower stirred sour in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Gin and Elderflower Stirred Sour?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Gin and Elderflower Stirred Sour for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Gin and Elderflower Stirred Sour?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
