Elderflower Old Fashioned

This post contains affiliate links. See our disclosure policy here.

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.

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.

Which of our palates is yours most like?
Find out if your palate is most similar to Alex’s or Kendall’s by answering five questions.

Take Our Quiz →

Alex’s Take: ⭐⭐
“The original recipe for this drink featured only half an ounce of elderflower liqueur to balance out two and a half ounces of bourbon, and even though I made it true to form at first, I knew it wouldn’t be balanced. Even after adding another fourth ounce of simple syrup the balance still wasn’t completely there, though it was better. The drink ended up tasting strongly of bourbon’s sweet yet spicy flavors with a hint of sweet elderflower, which is a pairing that honestly didn’t quite work in my head. I can’t say that I would ever combine whiskey, bourbon especially, with elderflower in my recipe creations, and this one sort of drives that home. While some simple syrup can bring balance, it can’t bring harmony to flavors.”

—

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.

AuthorSaveur Magazine

Make It a Mocktail: Use Spiritless Kentucky 74 Non-Alcoholic Bourbon Whiskey in place of the whiskey, Monin Premium Elderflower Syrup in place of the elderflower liqueur, and All The Bitter Alcohol-Free Aromatic Bitters in place of the aromatic bitters to try a booze-free version of this drink.

Shop Glassware & Tools

Find collections of cocktail glassware and bartending tools we recommend for your home bar in our Amazon shop.

glacio Whiskey Glass Set of 4 – The Chandelier – Old Fashioned Bar Glasses for Cocktail Lovers – Lead-Free Scotch Glass

Sale

Reed & Barton Crystal Set of Double Old Fashions, Set of 4

Design incorporates deep contemporary linear cuts.; One of the most popular patterns in crystal barware.

$105.22

Riedel Drink Specific Glassware Rocks Glass,9.98 oz

All Riedel glasses are dishwasher safe; Capacity is 9.98 ounces; glass size is 3.23Lx3.23Wx3.27H (Inches)

$45.00

Sale

A Bar Above 10-Piece Premium Stir Gift Set – Cocktail Mixing Glass Set – Stirred Home Bar Kit – Old Fashioned Kit with Crystal Cocktail Mixing Glass – Great for Martinis, Sazerac, Manhattans, & More

$29.99

Sale

Viski Pedestal Cocktail Mixing Glass, Bartender and Bar accessories, Crystal Pitcher, Bartending Glasses Perfect for Mixing Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Negroni, 23 Oz.

$17.68

A Bar Above Premium Japanese Jigger with 8 Measurements Inside – Professional & Heavy-Duty 304 Stainless Steel Cocktail Double Jigger for Bartending (1 Pack, Stainless Steel)

$15.99

Sale

Berlinzo Premium Clear Ice Cube Maker [2024 Upgraded] – Large 2.1-inch Crystal Clear Ice Maker for Whiskey Cocktail – New Easy-to-Remove Ice Cubes Mold – Bonus Storage Bag & Silicone Inserts, Black

$54.95

OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Peeler Set – Swivel and Julienne

Sharp, durable, Japanese stainless steel blades won’t rust; Straight Peeler all-purpose design for effortless prep

$16.95

More Spring Cocktails

If you like this spring-inspired cocktail recipe, here are a few others we’ve tried that you may enjoy:

Tequila Honeysuckle: A tequila cocktail made with honey syrup, lime juice, and a lime slice

The Cherry Blossom: A sake and gin cocktail made with maraschino liqueur, grenadine, triple sec, lemon juice, and a cherry

Lavender Sour: A gin cocktail made with lemon juice, Green Chartreuse, lavender syrup, egg white, and dried lavender buds

The Garden Rose (Variation): A tequila and sparkling wine cocktail made with elderflower liqueur, strawberry syrup, lemon juice, rose water, and a strawberry rose

This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2024-04-19.