This elderberry cocktail recipe is a festive and delicious way to celebrate fall! Made with elderberry syrup, it even has some herbal support properties, too. It’s the perfect foraged holiday cocktail!
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Elderberry Cocktail Recipe
This elderberry cocktail recipe is so easy to make, especially if you already have elderberry syrup on hand!
Make the Elderberry Syrup
The first thing you will need for this recipe is elderberry syrup. See my Elderberry Syrup recipe to learn how to make it yourself!
Once you have the syrup, this cocktail comes together quickly and easily!
Related: If you have fresh rhubarb, try this rhubarb gin cocktail!
Wow your guests with these fun botanical drink recipes that use plenty of herbs, spices, and other botanicals from my ebook Botanical Holiday Cocktails for a Healthy Holiday Happy Hour!
Make the Elderberry Cocktail
This elderberry cocktail only requires three ingredients! Elderberry syrup, vodka, and sparkling water.
In each glass, put 1-2 tablespoons of elderberry syrup.
Then add 3-4 ice cubes to the jar and pour in a shot of vodka (more or less as desired).
Related: Elderberry Mead, Elderberry Kombucha
The final step is to top off the jar with sparkling water, and that’s all there is to it!
Give it a stir if you wish to combine, and garnish with a cinnamon stick or some fresh herbs. A few sprigs of thyme would be nice, or a bit of mint.
This elderberry cocktail is so delicious and even has some herbal support from the elderberry syrup. It’s a good way to imbibe while also boosting your overall wellness!
Elderberry Cocktail Substitutions
There are several ways to customize this elderberry cocktail to make it your own. It’s a pretty versatile recipe!
If you’d like an elderberry mocktail instead of a cocktail, simply omit the vodka.
Instead of sparkling water, you could use ginger ale or tonic water for a little more flavor if you prefer. You could also add a squeeze of lemon or lime to brighten it up!
If vodka isn’t your favorite, feel free to use gin or even whiskey for a different twist!
More Festive Fall & Winter Cocktails
Here are more of my favorite festive fall cocktails!
- Infused Winter Gin
- Conifer Infused Vodka
- Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
- 10 Holiday Cocktail Recipes
- Persimmon Champagne Cocktail
- Rosemary Champagne Cocktail
- Rose Hip Whiskey Smash
Elderberry Cocktail
Equipment
- Ball® Flute Jars
Ingredients
- 1-2 tbsp elderberry syrup
- 1.5 ounce vodka or another spirit
- 12 ounces sparkling water more or less to taste
- cinnamon stick or fresh herbs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Put the elderberry syrup in a jar or cocktail glass.
- Add 3-4 ice cubes to the jar and pour in a shot (1.5 ounces) of vodka (more or less as desired).
- Pour in the sparkling water and give it a stir with a cocktail spoon.
- Add garnishes if desired and serve.
Notes
- If you’d like an elderberry mocktail instead of a cocktail, all you need to do is omit the vodka!
- Instead of sparkling water, you could use ginger ale or tonic water for a little more flavor if you prefer. You could also add a squeeze of lemon or lime to brighten it up!
- If vodka isn’t your favorite, feel free to use gin or even whiskey for a different twist!
Tequila…. Cheers and Marry Christmas.
I found that on rinsing the elderberries, the green ones floated to the top and we’re easily skimmed out. I added in star anise, juniper berries
as well. Great recipe.
This is great, in my city the season is over, but next year I will have one experience and one more pleasure.