I’d like to introduce you to my favorite easy cocktail recipe: the St. Germain Cocktail! A blend of St. Germain, gin (or vodka), and lemon thatโs topped with a bubbly pour of sparkling wine like prosecco or champagne, it’s effervescent, refreshing, and the sort of beverage I envision myself sipping on at a classy party (or in my pajamas at home).
Ever since I impulse bought my first bottle of St. Germain, I have been on a quest for the ultimate collection of St. Germain cocktail recipes.
This sparkling one is my fave!
- Itโs super easyโweโre talking FOUR ingredients, with nothing you need to prep in advance.
- It makes any occasion feel extra special and classy.
- Even when Iโm at my most disorganized in the kitchen, as long as Iโm holding a glass filled with this St. Germain prosecco cocktail, I appear the picture of poise.
- With 1.5 ounces of gin or vodka per drink, this St. Germain cocktail tends to make me feel like the picture of poise too.
Sip with caution. This St. Germain cocktail might taste light, but its contents are definitely fit for a celebration!
5 Star Review
I love this cocktail! Especially since no simple syrup is needed! Thank you.
— Anita —
What Kind of Alcohol is St. Germain?
If youโve never had St. Germain, itโs an elderflower liqueur.
- It was originally created in 2007 , and it was named after the St. Germain-Des-Prรฉs area of Paris.
- It’s naturally flavored, and each bottle can contain up to 1,000 elderflower blossoms (CRAZY).
- St. Germain tastes pleasantly floral, lightly herbal, sweet without being sugary, and is surprisingly versatile. Think of it like an elderflower syrup, but better.
Iโm never one to add a big, fancy bottle of alcohol to my home bar that Iโll only use once or twice a year.
I’ve become a St. Germain person, however, and I truly find myself using it often in a variety of cocktail recipes.
Cocktail Recipes with St. Germain
If you’re intrigued and also wondering, “how do you drink St. Germain?”, I have lots of St. Germain liqueur recipes for you!
- I use it to mix up this St. Germain Margarita.
- At the holidays, this Cranberry St. Germain Cocktail, which uses cranberry juice, is a favorite.
- When Iโm in a hurry but still want something special for a party, Iโll make a Kir Royale, swapping St. Germain for the cassis.
My favorite, most often made St. Germain cocktail recipe, however, is this one I’m sharing today.
Itโs a riff on a French 75, a cocktail that can compete with this Skinny Margarita for the biggest piece of my thirsty heart.
How to Make This St. Germain Cocktail
This cocktail takes less than a minute to stir together.
It’s refreshing, festive, classy, and surprisingly strong.
If you a fan of the gimlet or aperol spritz, I think you’ll love this sparkling St. Germain cocktail too.
The Ingredients
- Gin. My favorite way to make this recipe is as a gin St. Germain cocktail. Whether you are new to gin or itโs your go-to, I highly recommend Hendrickโs for this recipe. Hendrickโs is lighter than most gins and has cucumber notes that are a natural, beautiful pairing with St. Germain.
- Elderflower Liqueur. a.k.a. St. Germain. Here, it stands in for simple syrup (Translation: you don’t have to plan ahead and make simple syrup for this recipe. WIN.) Since elderflower liqueur has its own sweetness, additional sugar is unnecessary.
- Fresh Lemon Juice. For fresh, citrus flavor and to balance the drink.
- Champagne. The bubbles immediately take this cocktail from simple to elegant!
Tip!
You can use Prosecco or another dry sparkling wine in this St. Germain cocktail recipe. Look for a bottle labeled “brut,” which is the driest variety of sparkling wine (think “brutally dry”).
- Lemon Peel. A fun way to garnish your glass!
Tip!
Rub the inside of the lemon peel around the inside rim of the glass before pouring the cocktail. It gives the drink an extra burst of citrusy freshness and flavor.
The Directions
- Rub your lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass.
- Add all of the drink ingredients but the sparkling wine in to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake, pour into your glass.
- Top with sparkling wine and SIP!
Other Easy and Delicious Champagne Cocktails
Recommended Tools to Make St. Germains Cocktail
- Cocktail Shaker. This one is beautiful!
- Jigger. For the most accurate measurements.
- Citrus Press. This is a great tool for adding citrus juices to drinks!
- Strainer. To keep ice and other unwanted ingredients from falling into your glass.
The bubbles make this St. Germain cocktail one of my favorite drinks to serve girlfriends, especially for brunch.
The fact that itโs so fast to make also makes it one of my go-to choices when Iโm hosting happy hour or dinner parties.
If youโre looking for a brunch cocktail, bridal shower cocktail, summer cocktail, or a fun signature drink to make the classic cocktail at your house, this recipe, with its classy good looks and light, appealing flavor profile, is a superb selection!
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St. Germain Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces dry gin such as Hendrick’s or Tanqueray, or vodka
- 1 ounce St. Germain liqueur
- 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 ounces brut champagne or prosecco, or other dry sparkling wine
- Lemon twist or peel for serving
- Ice for cocktail shaker
Instructions
- Combine the gin or vodka, St. Germain, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is very cold, about 20 seconds.
- Strain into a champagne glass and top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist and enjoy! (Pro tip: I like to rub the inside of the lemon peel around the rim of the glass first. It gives the drink an extra burst of citrusy freshness and flavor.)
Nutrition
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I love how easy this is! And probably very easy to drink as well! :-)
Almost *too* easy to drink! ;) Thanks, Liz!
Totally to the store to get St. Germain! And you know how much I love French 75s!
I know you’ll love this too!
Nice!! Big cocktail fan over here. However never tried a St Garmail before. Thanks for sharing (:
You should definitely try!
No joke I have a bottle of this right now!
This cocktail is meant to be, Gerry!
Iโll have to try this. ย Do you mind sharing where your drinking glasses are from?
Allison, are you ready for this? TARGET! $10 for a set of 4. Here’s the link.
I’ll take 3 :)ย
SOLD! Cheers Lexi!
Can this be made ahead of time in a pitcher?
Hi Kayla! How far in advance do you want to make it? I recommend waiting to add the champagne until right before serving so it doesn’t go flat. I hope this helps!
Spring break starts TONIGHT! Rich will love this and will need it ;)
CHEERS Jennifer! This sounds like the perfect way to kick things off!
Dreaming of summertime gatherings with drinks like this one!
Such a gorgeous cocktail! Looks perfect for Easter brunch this weekend!
Fun drink!
Have you ever had a pineapple martini from Bonefish? Holy Moly! I feel like I’ve been missing out on the greatest drink of my life! The St. Germain just makes it completely perfect! I’d love to have the full recipe! ? It is beyond fabulous!
thank you for this cocktail! I was looking for new ways to use my elderflower liqueur, it’s been patiently in my bar, waiting for me to put it to good use, this will do
Perfect! I hope you enjoy it, Sabrina!
This is called a French 77 when made with vodka, and has been my favorite drink for many years. Another great use for St. Germain is 2 0z Pamplemousse, 1.5 oz. St. germain, 2 oz Vodka, a squeeze of lemon fresh lemon juice all shaken and then seven in a champagne coupe with a fresh basil leaf. Enjoy!
That sounds SO good Tracy! Thanks for sharing and CHEERS!
I had this cocktail recently and it was garnished with a slice of cucumber which obviously brought out the cucumber notes of the Hendrick’s gin and it was delicious! It’s a lovely option to substitute for the usual brunch drink.
Gorgeous looking cocktail! It sounds so delicious too! Perfect to enjoy at any time of the year!
Classy yummy-ness! :)
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Kara! I’m so happy to hear that this recipe was a hit!
Out. Of. This. World!
Howard, I’m so pleased to hear it. Thanks for sharing this lovely review!
I just made this and sipped it on our porch. It was lovely, and one is plenty!
Cheers Bridget! So happy to hear it!
What do you do with a spare bottle of Prosecco? This is the answer in a champagne glass. It’s a winner – delicious with bubbly or sparkling water to keep the St Germain flavor front and center. One is enough but we usually have a second.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Pier! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I love this cocktail w/the Hendricks! ESP that no addl simple syrup is needed! Thank you.
Hi Anita! So glad you enjoyed the cocktail! Thank you for this kind review!
First time I had this cocktail was at a tasting at the Reagan Library. St Germaine reps were pouring it. It was soooo good !
Hi Elaine! So glad you enjoyed the cocktail! Thank you for this kind review!
Amazing! So good – not too sweet not to alcohol tasting. Honestly be careful because it tastes so good but then hits like a truck
Hi Melis! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Lovely drink, well balanced and easy to make. It is now part of my drink repertoire. Thank you for this recipe ;D!
Hi Jackie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!