Elderberry Syrup and Elderflower Cordial Recipes
Cocktails and Spirits
New twists on old favorites
Forest Cocktail
A drink of stunning color courtesy of Bar Cart Cocktail Co.
- 0.75 oz. elderberry syrup
- 0.75 oz. lemon juice
- 2 oz. Rye Whiskey
Shake in a cocktail shaker with ice for 10 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass with one ice cube. Garnish with a forest sprig.
Carmel Valley Road Margarita
This bright citrus drink courtesy of Bar Cart Cocktail Co.
- 0.5 oz. lime juice
- 0.5 oz. grapefruit juice
- 2 oz. Tequila Blanco
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Add 0.5 oz. of elderberry syrup and a fresh lemon verbena leaf.
Elderberry Mojito
Gorgeous!!
In a Collins glass muddle 5-10 mint leaves with 1 Tbls of fresh lime juice. Add ice and 2 oz of Carmel Berry Co’s Elderberry Syrup, 2 oz of white rum, and top off with 4-6 oz of soda water. Stir, garnish with mint, and enjoy!
Elderberry Champagne Cocktail
The color! Sparkling wine never looked so spectacular.
Into a champagne flute, pour 1-2 tsp or more to taste of Carmel Berry Co’s Elderberry Syrup. Top with a sparkling Brut or Rosé Champagne. (Our local favorites are from Folktale Winery just down the road).
Elderberry Whiskey Sour
Optional egg whites give it a beautiful froth
2 oz. Bourbon or Rye
3/4 oz. lemon juice
3/4 oz. Syrup (flower or berry)
5 shakes Golden Bear Big Sur Citrus Bitters
Optional *1 farm fresh egg white
If using egg white: dry shake all ingredient except for Bitters in a cocktail shaker (make sure shaker is firmly sealed before shaking) for 10 seconds. Then, open shaker and add ice. Shake again for 10 seconds and then strain using a fine mesh sieve into glass with one ice cube. Garnish with a lemon peel and Bitters.
If making without egg white, just shake all ingredients except Bitters in shaker with ice, strain into glass with ice cube, garnish with a lemon peel and 5 dashes of Bitters.
Elderflower Champagne Cocktail
Delectable. Distinctive. Celebratory.
Ingredients per person:
- Chilled Brut Champagne
- 2 strawberries, halved
- 3-4 tsp Carmel Berry Co’s Elderflower Cordial, depending on glass size
Directions:
Place the strawberries in a small bowl and pour the Elderflower Cordial over them. Let sit for a minimum 15 minutes (even better–overnight in the fridge). When ready to serve, pour the champagne in the glasses, drop in the strawberries, and slowly drizzle in the Cordial (now infused with strawberries). Stir.
Simply exquisite, making any gathering an extraordinary celebration. Cheers!
Elderflower Gin and Tonic
Super light and refreshing.
- 2 ounces of gin
- 2-3 tsp (or more to taste) Carmel Berry Co’s Elderflower Cordial
- 6 ounces (3/4 cup) tonic water
- lemon slice for garnish
- ice
Directions: Fill a high ball glass with ice. Add gin and Elderflower Cordial. Top with tonic water and stir. Garnish with lemon and enjoy.
Elderflower 75
Light, crisp champagne cocktail courtesy of Bar Cart Cocktail Co
- 0.5 oz. Elderflower Cordial
- 0.75 oz. lemon juice
- 1.5 oz. gin
Shake all three ingredients with ice. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with 1.5 oz. champagne and 3 shakes of Golden Bear Bitters Hyssop Honeycomb.
Elderflower Whiskey Sour
Meyer lemons and a high quality bourbon are key here.
Add equal parts: fresh Meyer lemon juice, whiskey or bourbon, and Elderflower Cordial to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a curl of lemon zest if desired.
Mocktails and Other Non-Alcoholic Beauties
Celebratory, elegant, refreshing
Elderberry Soda
No high fructose corn syrup! No artificial additives! Refreshing, delicious, and filled with antioxidants and vitamins.
- Fill an 8 oz glass with ice and sparkling water.
- Add 1-2 Tbs (or more to taste) of Carmel Berry Co’s Elderberry Syrup.
Stir and enjoy!
Purple Pick-Me-Up
Perfect afternoon energy boost
1 strawberry
3 stems fresh mint
Juice from one lime
1/2 inch piece fresh ginger
1/2 oz. Elderberry Syrup
2 shakes Golden Bear Big Sur Citrus Bitters
1/2 -3/4 cup water
Add all ingredients to a Vitamix or other blender. Blend for 1 minute.
Spinach Salad
with Elderberry Dressing
An elegant and bright salad with citrus notes and a good dose of Vitamin C. A perfect dish in any season. Serves 5
Salad:
- 4 cups baby spinach or spring mix lettuce
- ½ cup candied pecans
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or fresh pomegranate
- ¼ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup sliced Fuyu persimmons or small orange wedges
Dressing:
- ⅛ cup Carmel Berry Co’s Elderberry Syrup
- ⅛ cup Quail and Olive Blood Orange Olive Oil
- 2 Tbls Champagne Mimosa Vinegar
Combine all Salad ingredients. In a small jar whisk together the ingredients for the dressing. When ready to eat, pour the dressing and toss salad lightly. Serve immediately.
Elderflower Soda
Shown here with a garnish-yourself-bar including camomile, lavender, calendula and mint.
Add approximately 2 tsp. of Carmel Berry Co’s Elderflower Cordial to 8 oz iced sparkling water. Adjust amount according to sweetness desired. Stir and garnish with fresh fruit, herbs, or edible flowers.
Flower Power Fizz
Non Alcoholic, refreshing elegance from Bar Cart Cocktail Co.
Brew 4 oz. chamomile tea, chill
0.5 oz. Elderflower Cordial
1.5 oz. Fresh Orange Juice (cara cara)
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice, strain into two ice filled glasses and top with club soda or sparkling water and orange slice or peel.
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