Average
Floral, Herbal & Spirit-forward
3 Minutes
Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
The Elderflower Martini is a variation of a classic Vodka Martini, made with vodka, dry vermouth and elderflower cordial.
Elegant and floral, the Elderflower Martini can be made shaken or stirred and is best enjoyed during the spring or summer at garden parties, afternoon and evening cocktail parties, anniversaries or any outdoor get-together with friends. It’s also a wonderful drink to serve as an apéritif.
How To Make An elderflower martini
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Mixing Glass
Julep Strainer
Bar Spoon
How to Mix
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Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
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Use a jigger to measure and pour Absolut Vodka into the mixing glass.
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Use the jigger again, this time to measure and add dry vermouth, followed by elderflower cordial.
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Use a bar spoon to stir until perfectly chilled and the cocktail is diluted to your preference.
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Place a julep strainer over the top of the mixing glass spout and pour the cocktail into a cocktail glass.
All about the Elderflower Martini
The Elderflower Martini is floral twist on a Vodka Martini. Our drink recipe for a Elderflower Martini is made with vodka, dry vermouth and elderflower cordial, however, it’s common for recipes to use elderflower liqueur instead of elderflower cordial. Shaken or stirred, it should be served in a pre-chilled martini glass.
An Elderflower Martini is spirit-forward with the subtle sweet floral and grassy notes. The smoothness of chilled Absolut Vodka, with its soft buttery and vanilla notes, marry perfectly with sweet floral elderflower.
- Chill your vodka
For a smooth viscosity ideal for martinis, we recommend placing your vodka in the freezer for 12-24 hours. Even when mixed with ice cubes in a mixing glass, chilled vodka imparts a silky texture to your martini. You can also place tyour - A perfectly diluted martini
When stirring your cocktail in a mixing glass, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan advises: “Stir until perfectly cold and perfectly diluted.”To determine the perfect dilution, taste a small amount on the back of your hand using a bar spoon. If the flavor meets your preference, then you’ve achieved the ideal dilution.
- Chill your glassware
A well-chilled martini glass is an important detail in achieving the perfect Elderflower Martini. Sipping a perfectly chilled martini from a perfectly chilled glass offers the finest drinking experience.
The Elderflower Martini is a modern cocktail that is said to have emerged after elderflower liqueur was introduced in 2007. The drink gained popularity in the mid-2000s and continues to be a favorite today.
The Elderflower Martini is, of course, a variation of a Vodka Martini, which first appeared in print in 1935.
While there are countless variations of a Vodka Martini, here are several ways you can add a twist to your Elderflower Martini:
- Use elderflower liqueur
While we enjoy the sweetness that elderflower cordial brings to this drink, many recipes call for elderflower liqueur instead. If you make an Elderflower Martini with elderflower liqueur, we recommend that you use the same amount of elderflower liqueur as dry vermouth i.e. 10 ml each.
- Use gin instead of vodka
An Elderflower Martini pairs beautifully with gin, as its botanical elements complement the grassy, floral notes of elderflower. While we prefer vodka for subtler botanical and floral flavors, try both and decide which you prefer. - Add a squeeze of lime
Add 5 – 10 ml of fresh lime juice introduces a welcome fresh zesty quality that works really well with the elderflower cordial. - Add a squeeze of lemon
If you prefer lemons over limes, add 5 – 10 ml of fresh lemon juice to introduce a pleasant acidity and tartness.
- Being that the Elderflower Martini is a martini, we recommend serving this drink in a pre-chilled martini glass. If you don’t have any martini glasses, a cocktail glass works well too.
- Although our drink recipe does not include a garnish, a lime wheel perched on the rim of your glass is a nice touch and harmonizes well with the elderflower flavors and aromas.
- If you prefer classic or traditional martini garnishes, a lemon twist is a perfect choice.
- For something more contemporary, try a cucumber ribbon. See the FAQ below on how to make cucumber ribbons for your cocktails.
Elderflower Martini FAQ
Our recipe for an Elderflower Martini features vodka, dry vermouth and elderflower cordial. Other variations include elderflower liqueur instead of elderflower cordial.
Yes, dry vermouth and elderflower pair very well together. You get the sweet floral notes of elderflower and the herbaceous notes from the dry vermouth.
Yes, it makes for a perfect summer drink but works equally well in spring too.
An Elderflower Martini can be made shaken or stirred – it all comes down to preference. In the drink recipe you’re looking at, we make a stirred version.
To create cucumber ribbons, start by cutting off the ends of the cucumber, then use a vegetable peeler to slice thin strips along its length, steering clear of the seeded center for optimal texture. For added crispness, chill the ribbons briefly in the refrigerator before garnishing your cocktails.
