How-To: Elder Scottish Rose Cocktail

I love to host summer cocktail parties on my deck. And my current favorite drink is called the Elder Scottish Rose. It is both pretty and delicious, with a fun and easy garnish that impresses everyone. Exotic liquors are popular and many unique imports have become available to amateur mixologists. This drink gets the first part of its name from a French imported liquor called St. Germain. It’s made of elderflowers, and it has the sweet and subtle flavor of perfumed blossoms. I’ve combined it with Hendrick’s Scottish Gin, a gin that has the strong flavors of roses and cucumbers.

When I started seriously tasting the Hendrick’s, I realized that a few crushed rose petals would be a pretty addition, and help enhance the gin’s flavors. The rose petals in this drink add considerably to the aromatics. Eating a rose petal can be a bitter experience, but letting their bruised petals seep into a fresh cold drink is the perfect way to incorporate them.

Create the Sugared Grape Garnish

Materials

Champagne grapes

Step1: Cut the cluster of grapes into smaller bunches. They should be small enough to hang on the side of a glass.

Step 2: Separate an egg, retaining the white. Lightly whisk the egg white. Drench the grapes in the egg white. Let the majority of the egg drip off, leaving the grapes lightly coated.

Step 3: Sift the sugar onto the grapes. Place the grapes onto the parchment paper to dry. As soon as the whites have hardened, place the grapes in an airtight container in the fridge overnight.

Mix the Drink

Materials

Hendrick’s Gin

Soda or tonic water Soda is dry, and tonic is sweet.

1 fresh lemon juiced

Ice

Sugared grapes for garnish

Step 1: Fill a tall glass with ice. Add 1 shot of Hendrick’s Gin. Add 1 shot of St. Germain Elderflower Liquor.

Step 2: Add lemon juice to taste.

Step 3: Grab a pinch of rose petals, and tear them apart with your fingers to crush them and release their essential oils. Add them to the glass.

Step 4: Fill the glass to the top with soda or tonic water. Soda will make the drink dry, but tonic will add sweetness. This version uses soda. Gently stir the drink with the swizzle stick.

Step 5: Garnish with the sugared grapes. Enjoy!