This Summer Blush, a Gin and Prosecco Cocktail, turns a beautiful shade of pink with the addition of sweet floral elderflower and bitter pink grapefruit. Get the recipe below
Elderflower, the taste of English summer
I am a big, big fan of elderflower. I'd been drinking Elderflower cordial for years before I found out just how easy it was to make at home! (You can follow my recipe to make it here).
The elder is an ancient hedgerow plant, that is native to Britain. There are tonnes of tales and superstition surrounding it. For example, folklore says that if you want see fairies, then you just need to stand under an elder tree on Midsummer’s Eve. But, don't fall asleep or they will carry you away! Now I can't say I've seen any fairies while out picking elderflower in and around Enfield, but it's still one of my favourite flowers.
I made this years batch of Elderflower a week ago now and I've been itching to use it in something. With prosecco leftover from my sisters hen do and a well stocked gin cupboard I decided that the Elderflower cordial would make the perfect base to a fizzy summer cocktail.
Bittersweet grapefruit
Elderflower, gin and prosecco is an awesome combination in its own right, so the next time you pour a glass of prosecco definitely consider spiking it with these two delicious tipples. But, I wanted to make this cocktail a little longer, something you could enjoy over ice on a hot summer day. Pink grapefruit added the perfect balance of bittersweet to the cocktail.
Even better, adding the prosecco to the elderflower cordial, grapefruit juice and gin mix creates this awesome "sunset" effect in a beautiful blush shade of pink.
This cocktail would be perfect garnished with a slice of grapefruit, or perhaps a twist of the rind. I had a few sprigs of elderflower leftover so added the flowers to the top of the glass. Isn't it pretty?!
The recipe
With just 4 ingredients this cocktail couldn't be easier. You can use store bought elderflower cordial if you want but if you're thinking ahead then do make sure you check out my recipe for making elderflower cordial at home.
Summer Blush a Gin and Prosecco Cocktail
Ingredients
- 100 millilitres pink grapefruit juice
- 25 millilitre gin
- 50 millilitres elderflower cordial
- 100 millilitres prosecco
- Ice serve
Instructions
- Add the pink grapefruit juice, gin and elderflower cordial to your glass and stir.
- Fill the glass to the top with ice then pour over the prosecco.
- Serve immediately with garnish.
Notes
Having a party?
If your'e serving a crowd, add the grapefruit, cordial and gin to your glasses ahead of time and simply add ice and top up with prosecco when you are ready to serve!Nutrition
If you wanted to be really clever you could replace the elderflower cordial and prosecco with homemade elderflower champagne!
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The drinks recipe archive
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Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
This cocktail looks so summery! Gin and prosecco you say? I'm in!
Emma Walton says
Cheers Bintu!
Patty says
This cocktail looks so refreshing and delicious, I love my prosecco, perfect for the season!
Nikki says
This looks so refreshing! Perfect for the summer.
Emily says
I'm partial to a prosecco or two so this sounds right up my street ha!
Emma Walton says
It would be perfect for you 😀
Cricket Plunkett says
This sounds so refreshing! I love a good summer cocktail!
Emma Walton says
Me too 😀
Teri says
What a beautiful cocktail. I must find elderflower!!! Gorgeous, and I love grapefruit so I know this will be amazing.
Emma Walton says
Thanks Teri. Good luck on the elderflower hunt!
Janice says
So pretty, love the contrast of the sharp grapefruit with the floral notes of the elderflower.
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
That looks wonderful! I was just telling my brother yesterday that gin isn't only for G&T - will have to send him this fabulous summery recipe 🙂
Emma Walton says
It's definitely not just for G&Ts! I fell in love with gin at uni after trying a cocktail called the "pink pussycat" which had pink grapefruit and gin. Gin and grapefruit is now my go to combination!
Kavey at Kavey Eats says
Leftover Prosecco at a hen do? What is the world coming to? 😉 I adore elderflower too, and with my newish found love for gin (and the cupboard now full of it), this could be one for me to try soon!
Emma Walton says
Kavey if you ever need someone to work your way through that stash let me know 😉 you don't want to know how many bottles of prosecco we got through...though I was surprised I'd managed to "over cater".
Sus // roughmeasures.com says
Gin and prosecco?! Alcohol heaven right there! We've just been out picking elderflower so I think I'll save some to make this!
Emma Walton says
Hi Sus. Sorry for taking ages to reply! Very jealous you still have some elderflower around. I hope you got to make and enjoy the cocktail!