Prosecco & Elderflower Cocktail
Light, floral, and gently bubbly, this Prosecco and elderflower cocktail is an easy drink for brunches, garden parties, and low-effort celebrations. Lemon juice keeps it bright, while a splash of club soda makes it crisp
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mItalian-inspiredDrinks
This Prosecco and elderflower cocktail is the kind of drink that feels special without asking much from you. It is built right in the glass, so there is no shaking and no bar setup required.
Elderflower liqueur brings a soft floral sweetness, while Prosecco adds bubbles and a light fruitiness. A little fresh lemon juice balances the drink so it does not taste syrupy.
Serve it very cold in a wine glass, flute, or coupe. It is a lovely adults-only drink for brunch, showers, holiday toasts, or a warm evening outside.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
6 items · 1 cocktail
- 4 ounces chilled Prosecco
- 3/4 ounce elderflower liqueur, such as St-Germain
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 ounce chilled club soda or sparkling water
- Ice, for chilling the glass or stirring briefly
- Lemon twist, thin lemon wheel, or fresh mint sprig, for garnish
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a wine glass, flute, or coupe in the freezer for 5 minutes if you have time. A cold glass helps the cocktail stay bubbly and refreshing.
2. Add the elderflower
Pour the elderflower liqueur into the glass first. This gives the heavier, sweeter ingredient a head start so it blends more easily with the sparkling wine.
3. Squeeze the lemon
Add the fresh lemon juice. Fresh juice tastes brighter than bottled juice and helps balance the sweetness of the liqueur.
4. Pour in the Prosecco
Slowly add the chilled Prosecco. Tilt the glass slightly as you pour to protect the bubbles and keep foam from rising too quickly.
5. Top with soda
Add the club soda or sparkling water. This lightens the drink and gives it a crisp finish without making it too strong.
6. Stir gently
Give the cocktail one very gentle stir with a bar spoon or small spoon. Do not stir hard, or you will lose the bubbles.
7. Garnish and serve
Add a lemon twist, lemon wheel, or mint sprig. Serve right away while the cocktail is cold and sparkling.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: Do not mix the full cocktail ahead because Prosecco loses its bubbles. You can combine the elderflower liqueur and lemon juice up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate it, then add Prosecco and soda just before serving.
- Batching for a group: For 6 drinks, use 3 cups Prosecco, 4 1/2 ounces elderflower liqueur, 3 ounces lemon juice, and 3/4 cup club soda. Keep everything chilled and pour just before serving.
- Prosecco swaps: Cava, Champagne, Crémant, or another dry sparkling wine will work. Choose brut or extra dry if you prefer a less sweet cocktail.
- Elderflower syrup swap: Elderflower syrup is nonalcoholic but usually sweeter than liqueur. Start with 1/2 ounce syrup instead of 3/4 ounce liqueur, then adjust to taste.
- Make it less sweet: Use a brut Prosecco, reduce the elderflower liqueur to 1/2 ounce, or add an extra squeeze of lemon.
- Storage: This cocktail is best served immediately. Leftovers will go flat, but you can refrigerate them for a few hours and pour over ice if needed.
Cook's note
For the cleanest flavor, chill every ingredient before mixing. Warm Prosecco foams more and tastes less crisp.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What does elderflower taste like?
Elderflower tastes lightly floral, a little fruity, and honeyed. It is fragrant but not heavy, which is why it pairs so well with sparkling wine and citrus.
Can I use Champagne instead of Prosecco?
Yes. Champagne will make the cocktail drier and often a little more toasty in flavor. Prosecco is usually fruitier and softer, but both work well.
Can I make this cocktail without alcohol?
Yes. Use nonalcoholic sparkling wine or sparkling white grape juice, and replace the elderflower liqueur with 1/2 ounce elderflower syrup. Add lemon juice to taste so it does not become too sweet.
Why did my drink go flat?
Sparkling wine loses bubbles when it is warm, over-stirred, or opened too early. Chill the bottle well, pour gently, stir once, and serve the cocktail right away.
Do I need a cocktail shaker?
No. This drink is built in the glass. Shaking would remove too many bubbles from the Prosecco.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium9 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate13 g
- 5%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars11 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium12 mg
- 1%
- Iron0.3 mg
- 2%
- Potassium100 mg
- 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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