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Refreshing Elderflower Margarita (Elegant Twist!)

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Get ready to elevate your margarita game with this stunning and refreshing Elderflower Margarita! This cocktail takes the classic margarita structure you love - tequila, lime, orange liqueur - and adds a beautiful floral twist with elegant elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain). The result is a perfectly balanced drink that's citrusy, slightly sweet, subtly floral, and incredibly delicious. I absolutely adore making Elderflower Margaritas, especially during the spring and summer months (it's perfect for this lovely May evening!). It feels sophisticated yet is super simple to shake up, making it ideal for impressing guests or just treating yourself.

Why You'll Love This Elderflower Margarita

  • Elegant Floral Twist: Elderflower liqueur adds a unique and sophisticated floral note to the classic margarita.
  • Perfectly Balanced: Just the right amount of sweet, tart, floral, and tequila warmth.
  • Refreshing: Fresh lime juice and bright flavors make this incredibly thirst-quenching.
  • Easy to Make: Simple shaking method with readily available ingredients.
  • Perfect for Spring/Summer: A light, bright cocktail ideal for warm-weather entertaining.
Ingredients for Elderflower Margarita, including tequila, elderflower liqueur (like St-Germain), Grand Marnier, limes, and simple syrup/agave.

Ingredients for Elderflower Margarita

Here's what you'll need to shake up this elegant margarita variation. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Margarita

  • Tequila* (Silver/Blanco recommended) (Liquor)
  • Elderflower liqueur (St-Germain is common) (Liqueur)
  • Grand Marnier* (or other orange liqueur like Cointreau/Triple Sec) (Liqueur)
  • Freshly squeezed lime juice (Acid)
  • Simple syrup* (or agave nectar, adjust to taste) (Sweetener) (See note)
  • Ice (Ice)

Rim & Garnish

  • Coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt) (Seasoning)
  • Lime wedge (Fruit)
  • Thinly sliced lime wheel (optional garnish)

(Notes refer to original recipe details/suggestions) (Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love the delicate balance of this Elderflower Margarita, but feel free to experiment:

  • Add Grapefruit: Include ½ ounce of fresh grapefruit juice for a Paloma-esque twist.
  • Make it Spicy: Muddle a few thin slices of jalapeño in the shaker before adding ice and liquids.
  • Different Citrus: Try using Meyer lemon juice instead of lime for a slightly different floral-citrus pairing.
  • Add Herbs: Muddle fresh mint or basil in the shaker for an herbaceous layer.
  • Sparkling Version: Top with a splash of Prosecco or club soda after straining for some fizz.
Shaking the Elderflower Margarita ingredients in a cocktail shaker.

How to Make an Elderflower Margarita

Making this elegant Elderflower Margarita is quick and easy:

Prep the Glass

  1. First, I prepare my margarita or coupe glass. I moisten the outer rim with a fresh lime wedge.
  2. I place coarse margarita salt on a small plate or shallow dish.
  3. I gently dip the moistened rim into the salt, tilting the glass to get an even coating.
  4. I fill the prepared glass with fresh crushed ice (or regular ice cubes).

Shake the Margarita

  1. I add a few fresh ice cubes to my cocktail shaker.
  2. I pour in the tequila, elderflower liqueur, Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur), freshly squeezed lime juice, and the simple syrup* (or agave). (Simple Syrup Note: Easily make this by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over heat, then cooling completely. Store extras in the fridge!)
  3. I secure the lid tightly on the shaker.
  4. I shake vigorously for about 20-30 seconds - the shaker should feel ice-cold!

Strain and Serve

  1. Strain into prepared glass
  2. Garnish and serve!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Margarita

Here are my secrets for making the perfect Elderflower Margarita:

  • Use Fresh Lime Juice: Absolutely essential! The bright, tart flavor of fresh lime juice is key to any great margarita.
  • Quality Spirits: Use a good quality 100% agave silver tequila and reputable liqueurs (like St-Germain for elderflower, Cointreau or Grand Marnier for orange) for the best taste.
  • Shake Vigorously: Proper shaking chills the drink perfectly, adds the right amount of dilution, and creates a lovely light aeration.
  • Adjust Sweetness: Taste the final mix (before straining if needed). Elderflower liqueur and Grand Marnier add sweetness. Start with the recommended simple syrup/agave and adjust only if needed based on your preference and the tartness of your limes.
  • Chill Your Glass: Using a pre-chilled glass keeps your margarita colder for longer.

How to Serve

This Elderflower Margarita is best served immediately while icy cold! Enjoy it:

  • Chilled: Strained over fresh ice in a salt-rimmed margarita, coupe, or rocks glass.
  • For Spring/Summer Entertaining: An elegant and refreshing signature cocktail for parties, patio gatherings, or showers.
  • As an Aperitif: A sophisticated start to a meal.
  • With Light Foods: Pairs well with seafood, light appetizers, salads, or ceviche.

Garnish with a thin lime wheel or slice for a classic look.

Pouring the strained Elderflower Margarita into a prepared glass filled with ice.

Make Ahead and Storage

Like most shaken citrus cocktails, the Elderflower Margarita is best made fresh to order to capture the perfect chill, dilution, and brightness. Pre-mixing large batches (without ice) is possible for parties, but ensure you shake individual servings vigorously with ice before straining.

FAQs about Elderflower Margarita

  • What is elderflower liqueur?
    • It's a sweet liqueur made from the small white flowers of the elder tree. St-Germain is the most well-known brand and has notes of pear, peach, and grapefruit along with the distinct floral aroma.
  • What's the difference between Grand Marnier and Triple Sec/Cointreau?
    • All are orange liqueurs. Grand Marnier is cognac-based, making it richer and more complex. Cointreau is a premium type of Triple Sec with a clean, bright orange flavor. Standard Triple Sec is generally sweeter and less complex. All work in a margarita, offering slightly different nuances. Using Grand Marnier as listed gives this Elderflower Margarita extra depth.
  • Can I make this drink frozen?
    • Yes! Combine the tequila, elderflower liqueur, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and simple syrup in a blender with about 1-1.5 cups of ice per serving. Blend until smooth and slushy. Serve in a salt-rimmed glass.

Enjoy this refreshing, floral, and elegant twist on a classic! This Elderflower Margarita is sure to become a new favorite.

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Shaking the Elderflower Margarita ingredients in a cocktail shaker.

Elderflower Margaritas

  • Author: Caoimhe Byrne
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Beverage, Cocktail, Drink, Margarita
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, Fusion
Print Recipe

Description

These Elderflower Margaritas are made almost like a classic margarita but with an added floral twist from elderflower liqueur! They're just the right amount of sweet, a little floral, and super citrusy. Such a refreshing margarita for spring and summer!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Margarita (per serving):

  • 1 ½ ounces tequila (Blanco or Reposado, 100% agave recommended)
  • 1 ounce elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)
  • ½ ounce Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur like Cointreau or Triple Sec)
  • 2 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice
  • ½ ounce simple syrup* (1:1 sugar to water ratio, adjust to taste)
  • Ice cubes

For Serving/Rim:

  • Coarse margarita salt (or kosher/sea salt), for rimming the glass (optional)
  • Lime wedge (for rimming and garnish)

Instructions

  • Prepare Glass (Optional): If desired, rim your margarita or coupe glass. Pour coarse margarita salt onto a small plate. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass to moisten it. Dip the moistened rim into the salt, rotating the glass to coat evenly.
  • Fill Glass with Ice: Fill the prepared glass with fresh ice cubes (crushed ice is nice if you have it).
  • Combine Ingredients: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add the tequila, elderflower liqueur, Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur), fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
  • Shake: Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 20-30 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is very cold.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the margarita mixture from the shaker into the prepared, ice-filled glass. Garnish with a fresh lime slice or wheel. Enjoy immediately!

Notes

  • Simple Syrup: To make simple syrup, combine equal parts granulated sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring, until sugar dissolves completely. Let cool before use. Store extra in the fridge. Adjust the amount used in the cocktail based on your desired sweetness.
  • Tequila: Use a good quality 100% agave tequila. Blanco provides a crisp taste; Reposado adds slight complexity.
  • Elderflower Liqueur: St-Germain is the most common brand and adds delicate floral notes.
  • Orange Liqueur: Grand Marnier adds richness. Cointreau or a quality Triple Sec can be substituted.
  • Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is crucial for the best margarita flavor.
  • Storage: This cocktail is best made fresh and enjoyed immediately.

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