Last Updated on May 28, 2020

Mother’s Ruin – Elderflower Gimlet Recipe.

Gin isn’t exactly a traditional Mother’s Day gift – but, I think a cocktail made with Gin is an entirely appropriate way to celebrate. This particular cocktail stems from my own tastes. Elderflowers are one of the signs of Spring I look out for – and although it’s a little too early this year to find my own blossoms, an Elderflower Gimlet seems like the perfect spring cocktail.  Especially as I was sent an early Mother’s Day gift from Borough Market, which includes a beautiful hand-tied posy along with everything you might need to make a G&T – a trio of 5cl minis from East London Liquor Company (London Dry Gin, and premium Batch No. 1 and Batch No. 2 gins); classic and fresh tonics from Square Root Sodas; aromatics including thyme, rosemary and blood oranges from Starks Fruitiers.  Sadly the gift bags have sold out now, but you can still buy the gin online from Borough Market for delivery within a 2.5m radius – along with a whole host of other food and drink.

Did you know that Mother’s day in the UK is celebrated on a different day to in most of the rest of the world?  Our Mother’s day celebration is held on the fourth Sunday in Lent.  It was originally a day when Christians would return to their mother church for a special service.  Over time it became Mothering Sunday – a secular holiday when children would make a posy of flowers for their mothers.  In America, Mother’s Day was founded by the daughter of  Anna Reeves Jarvis who was responsible for Mother’s Day Work Clubs, set up to teach women how to care for their children.  Following her death in 1905, her daughter Anna Jarvis established Mother’s Day with the idea of honouring the sacrifices mothers made for their children.  But, she quickly tired of the commercialisation of the event and by the 1920s was campaigning to remove it from the American calendar.  I’m not sure where you’d put gin and cocktails on the list – I grew up with the British tradition of making posies and handmade cards, but those of us who live in a big city without flowers in the garden we have to rely on the excellent produce available from places like London’s iconic Borough Market.  Making a special cocktail is my own tribute to ‘homemade’ and a Spring focused Elderflower Gimlet seems entirely appropriate. 

Here’s the recipe for my Elderflower Gimlet if you’d like to make one for yourself or for your own mother.   I think it’s the perfect spring cocktail and made with London Dry Gin from the East London Liquor Company it has a certain local appeal for me.  This is the first time I’ve tried any of the East London Liquor Company drinks and I’m impressed. They are the first whisky, gin and vodka distillery in East London, London’s historic home of distilling, in over 100 years – that in itself is worth shouting about. 

5 from 4 votes

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Elderflower Gimlet

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

Gin and Elderflower Gimlet with St Germain and East London Liquor Company London Dry Gin

Course: Cocktail, Cocktails

Cuisine: British

Keyword: gin, lime, St Germain

Servings: 1

Calories: 180 kcal

Author: Fiona Maclean

Ingredients

• 50 ml London Dry Gin
• 30 ml St Germain Elderflower Liqueur
• 30 ml Fresh Lime Juice (one whole fresh lime)
• Ice

Instructions

1. Peel a long strip from the lime to make the garnish, then juice

2. Roll the peel strip to make the garnish and juice the lime

3. Fill the cocktail shaker with ice

4. Add the lime juice, gin and St Germain

5. Shake till chilled

6. Strain and serve in a champagne coupe or martini glass with a twist of lime as garnish

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

How to turn a classic gimlet into an elderflower one - check the video for instructions for a classic gimlet

I’ve still got two more East London Liquor Company gins to try but for now, I’m happily sipping on my Elderflower Gimlet and enjoying this very simple yet delicious cocktail that everyone should try at home.  It’s made easy by the use of St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, known as the bartender’s salt and pepper for its versatility.  Normally I’d use simple syrup in a gimlet which is an easy cocktail to make, and that adds an extra step.  But, with St Germain, there’s an inherent sweetness and for me, there’s no need to add more sugar.

Now, if you’d like to make an elderflower gimlet for your mum, you can order the gin from  boroughmarket.org.uk. for delivery if you live or work within 2.5 miles of the market, or to collect from Monday through Saturday when the market is open. (Borough Market is closed Sundays). 

If you happen to live or work within a 2.5 mile radius of the market then your shopping can be delivered by zero-emission electric bikes.  Or you can easily pick up the gift of your choice from the Market until 9 pm during the week via Borough Market Online’s Click and Collect service.  Go on, treat your mother and try my elderflower gimlet cocktail.  Or, treat yourself.  

Oh and if you happen to miss the UK Mother’s Day this year, the Borough Market online shopping service is available all the year-round.  And the ingredients for my Elderflower Gimlet can be bought from them, whether or not it’s Mother’s Day.