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Food

Ask A Mixologist: Sparkling Elderflower Cocktail

Gianluca Passuello of Toronto’s BarChef shares the recipe for his Sparkling Elderflower Cocktail.

Q: I had an elderflower-flavored cocktail at BarChef in Toronto that was bubbly and delicious. I’d love to make it at home; can you get me the recipe? — Nicole, Toronto

A: This balanced cocktail starts with house-made elderflower-infused “shrub” syrup. The floral base is then grounded by St-Germain Elderflower liqueur, sparkling cava and a dash of sherry. Garnished with ribbons of celery, the finished drink tastes like spring in a glass.

Send your questions to [email protected].

Ingredients


Serves

Celery Bitters (batch)

  • 1 1/2 litres gin
  • 4 tbsp celery seed
  • 3 tsp fennel seed
  • 1 tbsp green cardamom
  • 4 tsp coriander seed
  • 3 tsp caraway seed

 Elderflower and Fennel Shrub (batch)

  • 2 cups white wine vinegar
  • 8 cups elderflower pressé
  • 8 cups sugar
  • 1 cup fennel

 Cocktail

  • 1 oz. vodka
  • 1/4 oz. St-Germain Elderflower liqueur
  • 1/4 oz. sherry
  • 1/4 oz. Celery Bitters (see above)
  • 3/4 oz. Elderflower and Fennel Shrub (see above)
  • 2 drops absinthe
  • 1 1/4 oz. cava

Ribboned celery, for garnish

Directions

Make Celery Bitters

  1. Place all components in jar, label and date accordingly. Let infuse for 2 months.
  2. Fine-strain and transfer to bottle.

Make Shrub

  1. Place all ingredients in pot and transfer to stove, bring to a boil and let simmer for 5 minutes.
  2. Fine-strain ingredients, transfer to sealable container and store in fridge.

Make Cocktail

  1. To rocks glass add vodka, St-Germain Elderflower liqueur, sherry, Celery Bitters and Elderflower and Fennel Shrub.
  2. Place ice chunk in glass, then add two drops of absinthe and top with cava.
  3. Garnish with curled ribbon of celery and enjoy!

Source

House & Home May 2022

  • Photographer Courtesy of BarChef
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