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Cocktail History
The Elderflower Old Fashioned is a spring cocktail of unknown origin that was first published in a 2014 issue of Saveur. The recipe is a simple variation of the classic Old Fashioned that also uses whiskey as the base spirit and aromatic bitters, but it omits the orange and calls for elderflower liqueur as a sweetener in addition to simple syrup.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Bourbon: This is a type of whiskey made in the United States with at least 51% corn, grains, malted barley, and water. We used Cedar Ridge Distillery Single Barrel Bourbon because it’s a high-proof spirit that’s great for mixing in cocktails. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Spiritless Kentucky 74 Non-Alcoholic Bourbon Whiskey in place of the whiskey.
Elderflower Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with elderflowers, citrus, herbs, sugar, and alcohol. We used Edinburgh Gin Distillery Elderflower Gin Liqueur because it’s high quality and has a fresh, floral aroma and flavor. For a mocktail version of this drink, try Monin Premium Elderflower Syrup in place of the elderflower liqueur.
Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. We made ours at home using Alex’s stovetop recipe.
Aromatic Bitters: This is a food product made with botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. We used Angostura Aromatic Bitters. For a mocktail version of this drink, try All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters.
Lemon Twist: This is the peel of a lemon that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. We used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Mixing Glass: This is used to hold the ingredients while they’re being stirred. We used the Viski 17 oz Cocktail Mixing Glass.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. We used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Julep Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is stirred. We used the A Bar Above Julep Strainer.
Peeler: This is used to remove the garnish peel from the citrus. We used the OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set.
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Tasting Notes
The Elderflower Old Fashioned features zesty lemon and bright floral notes on the nose and has a bourbon-heavy taste that has the unusual combination of whiskey’s rye spiciness and corn sweetness with an herbal elderflower accenting note and a finish that leaves the classic barrel-aged spirits characteristics behind.
Our Opinion of This Cocktail Recipe: While this was a fun variation and we appreciated what the creator was going for, neither of us felt that bourbon and elderflower were much of a match as far as cocktail ingredients go. A clear spirit such as gin is a much better choice with floral notes.
Kendall’s Take: ⭐
“I understand what its creator was going for here—a more floral variation of the classic. But I have to agree with Alex: it just doesn’t work without more sweetness. I couldn’t even swallow my first sip when we tried the original recipe, and I’ve come to quite enjoy bourbon since we started tastings a couple of years ago. I do enjoy a floral cocktail, for sure, but this one wasn’t for me… as interesting as the combination was.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from an issue of Saveur magazine.
Elderflower Old Fashioned
The Elderflower Old Fashioned is a spring cocktail of unknown origin that was first published in a 2014 issue of Saveur. The recipe is a simple variation of the classic Old Fashioned that also uses whiskey as the base spirit and aromatic bitters, but it omits the orange and calls for elderflower liqueur as a sweetener in addition to simple syrup.
Ingredients
Method
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Add bourbon, elderflower liqueur, simple syrup, bitters, and cubed ice to a mixing glass.
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Stir for 30-45 seconds.
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Strain into a lowball glass over a clear ice cube.
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Garnish with lemon twist.
