It’s springtime in the Alps, and that means the elderflowers are in bloom. During the brief period of their efflorescence, bicycle-pedaling Frenchmen wheel the delicate white blossoms down the foothill slopes to St. Germain, where the unique essence of the flowers is captured in this beguiling liqueur.
Packaged in an exquisitely sculpted bottle, St. Germain found its way to meccas of mixology in this country a couple years ago. Now it’s available to home mixmeisters at Surdyk’s and other purveyors of fine spirits.
With tantalizing hints of lychee and pear, St. Germain adds a soupçon of Gallic sophistication to just about anything you put in a glass with it. Mix a shot with gin and tonic to add a certain je ne sais quoi to the familiar highball. Or simply pour a jigger into a flute, top it off with Champagne, and voilà—it’s the perfect brunch drink.
