Elderflower Mocktail Martini

in the past I never was drawn to cocktails. They were expensive and too easy to drink fast. All that changed with my son-in-law. 

He is intrigued by the creation of them, like a science experiment, and is always trying new combinations. My husband and he connect over work, so I thought why not try to connect by finding a unique cocktail to serve him next time he was out visiting. It was a hit, and that was the beginning of my journey experimenting with cocktails.

I am still a total novice in the cocktail department, both in my exposure to the more high end options and to my ability to make them, but I'm coming along slowly but surely.  My three favorites so far are a Frosted Mistletoe Margarita (I made on the rocks), the Devil's Margarita and the 2020 Pantone Classic Cocktail which was created out of blue gin and blue brewed herbal tea the year Pantone's color was a shade of blue (I share a version with changes my son-in-law made as I like it even better). 

A week or so ago, someone shared a link to an interesting sounding mocktail called an Elderflower Martini. I was intrigued and  thought - maybe I should be exploring Mocktails too. I have one son that has never enjoyed drinking and many friends that have decided to give alcohol for all kinds of reasons.  Adding some great mocktails to my repertoire would be appreciated when they come over. 

Love my new JoyJolt HUE Martini Glasses (7oz) Stemless Cocktail Glassware 
And the color bases help guests remember which is theirs


I had no idea where to get the Elderflower Syrup, so checked Amazon and was relieved to not only find it available, but it was a free Prime delivery item.  It arrived in just two days.  There is sat for a week or so as I didn't have occasion to try it and hadn't picked up the White Cranberry Juice yet.  

A trip to the store today meant I finally had all the ingredients in the house and my non-drinking oldest son was coming over for dinner and a movie night so I could get his opinion as well. As a non-drinker, his opinion mattered to me the most.  All three of us - myself, my husband and my son - enjoyed it. In fact, my son's was gone quickly. This mocktail has a unique flavor that really pops of the unique Elderflower Syrup and I love the lime tartness to offset the sweet syrup.  

I also think the recipe could make a great regular cocktail with the addition of some spirts. You could make a batch of them, pour the mocktails first, then add the alcohol of choice to the rest and pour - an all in one drink. I haven't tried that yet, so not sure whether I would add Vodka or Gin or  ?

One final note - do remember a Mocktail has a different flavor focus than one based around alcohol. Let go of all expectations and just enjoy the flavor it has to offer instead of expecting it to mimic a traditional cocktail. If you're looking for something that more closely resembles the regular cocktail taste experience, perhaps try experimenting with some of the new non-alcohol spirits (Lyre's. Escape Mocktails, Ritual Zero-Proof, etc.).

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Elderflower Mocktail Martini
Makes 1 Mocktail

Ingredients - 

2 oz.                 White Cranberry Juice
1 oz.                 Lime Juice
1/2 oz.              Elderflower Syrup
Splash of Lemon-lime Seltzer (7up, Sprite, etc.)
Garnish: Lemon Twist

Directions - 

Combine all ingredients except for seltzer in an ice-filled shaker. Shake for 20 seconds until very cold. Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass. Top with seltzer and garnish with a lemon twist.

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