Bright, floral, and refreshingly bold, this Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail is like sipping sunshine with a botanical twist. It’s the perfect pour for brunch, happy hour, or any moment that needs a little sparkle.
I’m obsessed with the beauty of blood oranges. I have my own tree yet I still stock up by the pound when they’re in season!
Of all the varieties, Moro blood oranges are my favorite. It’s the super rich crimson ones I used for this blood orange elderflower gin cocktail.
Ingredients
This cocktail keeps its simple but stunning! You only need five ingredients:
- Gin
- St. Germain (Elderflower Liqueur)
- Lime Juice
- Ginger Ale
- Blood Orange Juice
Gin
Gin’s botanical flavor profile makes it one of the most versatile spirits for cocktails, pairing beautifully with citrus, herbs, and floral note. Gin and tonic was my signature drink during my early 20s. I loved the light floral and crisp notes of gin.
Here are two very popular types of gin:
- London Dry Gin : classic, juniper-heavy, crisp , strong botanical notes
- includes Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, Beefeater
- Contemporary Gin: less juniper, more focus on citrus, florals, or herbs
- includes Hendrick’s, Aviation America Gin, and The Botanist
Choose which type of gin you prefer! I’m a fan of both London Dry and Contemporary. I like Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick’s equally. It just depends on the flavor I’m in the mood for!
Elderflower Liqueur
Elderflower liqueur is a fragrant, floral spirit made from the tiny blossoms of the elderflower plant. It is absolutely delicious with subtly sweet with notes of pear, lychee, and citrus.
St. Germain is a very popular French elderflower liqueur. It pairs beautifully with gin, sparkling wine, or fresh fruit. A little goes a long way—it adds elegance and a hint of spring to every sip. It adds the most alluring sweet fruitiness as demonstrated in this lychee sangria.
Citrus Juices
Use fresh squeezed lime juice and fresh squeezed blood orange juice. The extra effort is well rewarded.
Fresh-squeezed citrus juice delivers bright, vibrant flavor that bottled versions just can’t match. It brings natural acidity and balance to cocktails, helping to cut through sweetness or enhance herbal and spirit-forward notes.
Bottled juices often have added preservatives or a dull, flat taste that can throw off the entire drink.
Ginger Ale
Ginger ale adds a crisp, sweet spice that instantly livens up cocktails without overpowering the base spirit. Its gentle bubbles and subtle ginger warmth make it a great mixer! Canada Dry, Schweppes, and Fever-Tree are three popular options.
Instructions
Tips for Variations
Without the blood orange juice, this cocktail looks so dainty and very spring-like. It looks like the kind of cocktail served at a ladies brunch held in some well manicured garden. It tastes very clean and fresh, almost like a white sangria.
In California, blood oranges are available from late November through April/May. The exact range depends on the variety of blood orange. If you cannot find blood orange, you may omit it or simply use regular oranges.
This recipe also works well with tangerine juice. It’s much sweeter and less acidic, but still bright and vibrant! However, if you prfer a lightly more bitter cocktail, grapefruit juice is another delicious option.
More Citrus Drinks
Blood Orange Elderflower Gin Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- ¾ oz St. Germain , (elderflower liqueur)
- ½ oz lime juice, fresh squeezed
- 2 ½ oz ginger ale, chilled
- 1 oz blood orange juice, fresh squeezed
Instructions
- In a serving glass, combine gin, St. Germain, lime juice, and ginger ale. Top glass with ice. Slowly pour in blood orange juice. Garnish with blood orange slices and fresh lemon thyme sprigs, if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use your gin of choice
- St. Germain is a French liqueur flavored with elderflower. Use any brand of elderflower liqueur.
- In California, blood oranges are available from December through May. The exact range depends on the variety of blood orange.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Would you recommend shaking the gin, elderflower liqueur and lime juice and then straining over ice and adding the ginger ale + blood orange? I have heard you should always shake citrus.
Yes, I have heard that as well. However, I have never done a side by side test to see whether it truly changes the taste of the cocktail.
In that case, yes, I would recommend what you suggested. Shake the gin, elderflower, lime juice and blood orange juice. Then, pour the ginger ale.