Herbal Gin and Elderflower Collins
A bright and floral Collins cocktail featuring gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling soda water. This general-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together London 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 160 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
- 1.5 oz London dry gin
- 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
- 3 oz club soda
- 1 for garnish lemon wheel
- 1 for garnish fresh mint sprig
- 1 cup ice cubes
Instructions
- Step 1: Fill a Collins glass with 1 cup of ice cubes and set aside.
- Step 2: In a shaker filled with ice, combine 1.5 oz London dry gin, 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 oz simple syrup.
- Step 3: Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the mixture into the prepared glass and top with 3 oz club soda, stirring gently to combine.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 lemon wheel and 1 fresh mint sprig for an aromatic finish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herbal Gin and Elderflower Collins take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 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 Herbal Gin and Elderflower Collins?
Refrigerate any leftover herbal gin and elderflower collins 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 Herbal Gin and Elderflower Collins?
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 Herbal Gin and Elderflower Collins 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 Herbal Gin and Elderflower Collins?
General 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.
