St. Germain is a sweet, floral liqueur made from handpicked elderflower blossoms. It has become popular in recent years as a cocktail ingredient prized for its subtle, delicate flavor. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about St. Germain elderflower liqueur and how it’s used.
What is St Germain?
St. Germain is an artisanal French liqueur produced by the House of St. Germain. It is made by macerating handpicked elderflower blossoms in a blend of grape spirit, pear, lemon, and citrus peel. The result is a sweet, subtle liqueur with delicate floral notes and a hint of fruit.
Some key facts about St. Germain:
- Made from elderflowers harvested once a year in the French Alps
- Produced by House of St. Germain in Paris, France
- ABV of 20%
- Sweet, floral flavor profile with fruit undertones
- Pale yellow color
St. Germain was created in 2007 and has since become popular as a cocktail ingredient and sipper liqueur. It brings a unique and versatile flavor to drinks.
What Does St Germain Taste Like?
St. Germain has a delicate, sweet floral taste derived from the elderflowers. Some of the predominant flavor notes include:
- Floral – The elderflowers impart a soft, perfumey floral quality.
- Fruity – Subtle fruit notes like pear, lemon, grapefruit, and lychee come through.
- Sweet – St. Germain has a sweet, honey-like taste.
- Crisp – A hint of brightness from citrus fruits.
- Smooth – A silky, smooth mouthfeel.
The flavors blend together to create a complex, nuanced profile. St. Germain is sweet but well-balanced. It’s not cloying thanks to its crisp, citrusy finish.
How is St Germain Elderflower Liqueur Made?
St. Germain is made using a careful multi-step process to extract maximum flavor from elderflowers:
- Elderflower blossoms are hand-harvested during their short late spring blooming season in the French Alps.
- The harvested flowers are immediately macerated and steeped in a grape-based spirit along with pear, citrus, and other botanicals.
- After steeping, the elderflower spirit is blended with more grape spirit and sugar syrup.
- The liqueur ages for up to one year, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Finally, the elderflower liqueur is filtered, bottled, and shipped around the world.
It takes over 1000 pounds of elderflowers to make each batch. The delicate blossoms must be picked and processed quickly before they lose aroma and flavor. This meticulous production method results in St. Germain’s signature taste and silky texture.
What is St Germain Liqueur Used For?
There are several popular ways to enjoy St. Germain liqueur:
Cocktail Ingredient
The primary use of St. Germain is as a cocktail ingredient. Just a dash or two adds floral aroma and sweetness to many classic and modern cocktail recipes. Some of the most popular St. Germain cocktails include:
- St. Germain Spritz – St. Germain, sparkling wine, and club soda
- St. Germain Cocktail – St. Germain, champagne, and lemon twist
- Elderflower Gimlet – St. Germain, gin, and lime
- Hugo Cocktail – St. Germain, prosecco, soda water, mint, and lime
- Gin Blossom – Gin, St. Germain, grapefruit juice, lemon
The liqueur works well in refreshing, sparkling drinks. It also pairs nicely with fruit juices like grapefruit, lemon, and lime. Vodka, gin, rum, and champagne complement it.
Dessert Topping
A dash of St. Germain makes an elegant topping for desserts. It brings out fruit flavors well. Dessert recipes it enhances include:
- Panna cotta
- Pound cake
- Fruit salads
- Angel food cake
- Mixed berry tarts
- Lemon posset
- Rice pudding
For simpler dessert drizzles, mix St. Germain with lemon juice or fruit purees. It also complements vanilla ice cream for an easy dessertAFFILIATE LINK.
Straight or On the Rocks
While St. Germain shines in cocktails, it can certainly be enjoyed neat or over ice. Its smooth, nuanced flavor profile makes sipping it straight an elegant experience. Add a twist of citrus to open up the fruit notes.
Tea and Coffee
A splash of St. Germain can enhance tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. The liqueur’s fruit and floral essences pair nicely with the bitterness. Try adding it to:
- Green tea
- Earl grey tea
- Iced coffee
- Hot chocolate
The elderflower liqueur is a unique way to sweeten and add flavor to hot and iced drinks.
Culinary Uses
St. Germain brings its signature floral, fruity profile to sauces, marinades, and other cooking applications. A touch balances out rich, heavy flavors. It works nicely in:
- Fruit sauces
- Marinades for chicken, pork, or seafood
- French and vinaigrette salad dressings
- Poached pears or apples
- Berry compotes
- Macerated berries
- Granitas and sorbets
- Infused syrups for cocktails
When cooking with St. Germain, add it at the end to preserve its delicate aromatics. A little goes a long way in savory and sweet recipes.
What Cocktails Use St Germain?
Here is more detail on some of the most popular cocktails that use St. Germain as an ingredient:
St. Germain Spritz
This sparkling cocktail combines 3 oz St. Germain, 3 oz dry sparkling wine, 1 oz club soda, and a lemon twist garnish. It’s a fizzy, floral sipper perfect for brunch or warm weather.
St. Germain Cocktail
A classic way to enjoy St. Germain. Mix 2 parts St. Germain with 4 parts dry champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Elderflower Gimlet
For a refreshing, tangy cocktail, combine:
- 1 1⁄2 oz gin
- 3⁄4 oz St. Germain
- 3⁄4 oz fresh lime juice
- Lime wheel garnish
Hugo Cocktail
A bubbly hugo calls for:
- 2 oz St. Germain
- 5 oz prosecco
- 2 oz soda water
- Mint sprig and lime wheel garnish
Gin Blossom
Shake together equal parts:
- Gin
- St. Germain
- Grapefruit juice
- Fresh lemon juice
Strain into a glass over ice. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
What Does St Germain Go Well With?
St. Germain’s light, floral flavor profile complements many spirits, juices, aromatics, and ingredients.
Some of the best pairings for St. Germain include:
- Sparkling wines – Champagne, prosecco, cava
- Vodka – Pairs well with the neutral spirit
- Gin – Enhances floral gins like Hendrick’s
- Citrus – Lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange
- Elderflower – Harmonizes with its own main ingredient
- Cucumber – Matches the cool, floral notes
- Herbs – Like mint, basil, rosemary
- Grapefruit – Contrasts nicely with the brightness
- Berries – Pairs with mixed berries, melons, stone fruits
St. Germain works well in both sweet and savory applications thanks to its versatility. It brings out certain flavors and aromas while smoothing out acidic or bitter notes.
Where to Buy St Germain
St. Germain is sold at most liquor stores and well-stocked bars. Here are some of the best places to buy it:
- Wine shops and specialty liquor stores
- Large retail chains like Total Wine, BevMo!
- Some grocery stores with liquor departments
- Online retailers like Drizly, ReserveBar, Wine.com
- Amazon
- Liquor stores in France and other parts of Europe
- Duty-free shops at airports
St. Germain retails for around $30-40 per 750mL bottle. It comes in a recognizable Art Nouveau-inspired bottle featuring a bellflower blossom design.
When purchasing, take note of the ABV (20%) and volume to ensure it’s the standard St. Germain. The liqueur is also available in convenient 50mL miniature bottles.
Interesting Facts About St Germain
Here are some intriguing facts about the history, production, and use of St. Germain elderflower liqueur:
- The elderflower was considered a sacred plant in Greek mythology and folklore.
- St. Germain liqueur gets its name from Count of St. Germain, an enigmatic figure in early 18th century French aristocracy.
- It takes approximately one ton of handpicked elderflowers to produce each batch of St. Germain.
- The short elderflower blooming season means the flowers must be harvested and processed quickly.
- St. Germain debuted in the United States in 2008 after rapidly gaining popularity in Europe.
- Bartenders appreciate St. Germain for its ability to elevate simple mixed drinks.
- Mixologists have created dozens of custom cocktails featuring St. Germain over the past decade.
- Obtaining organic certification for the elderflowers helps support sustainable harvesting.
- The taste is influenced by steeping on pear and lemon peels along with the flowers.
- In Europe, elderflower syrup is commonly used to flavor desserts, drinks, and yogurt.
Does St Germain Go Bad?
Like any liqueur, St. Germain can eventually go bad over time. However, its high sugar content allows it to last 1-2 years or more when stored properly. To maximize freshness:
- Store the bottle sealed in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight.
- Keep at room temperature or slightly cooler – temperature fluctuations shorten shelf life.
- Keep the cap sealed tight to limit air exposure.
- Refrigerate after opening to extend lifespan up to 6-8 months.
Signs that St. Germain may have gone bad include change in color, diminished aroma, separation, formation of particles, and off tastes.
An unopened bottle stored properly can maintain optimal quality and taste for at least one year past the production date. Consuming a small amount of spoiled liqueur likely won’t cause major issues due to the distillation process. However, it’s best not to take the risk if you notice signs of spoilage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does St Germain taste like?
St. Germain has a distinctive sweet, floral taste with notes of pear, citrus, lychee, and honey. It has a smooth, lightly syrupy mouthfeel.
What kind of alcohol is St Germain?
St. Germain is a French liqueur made from elderflowers, grape spirit, fruit, and sugar. Its alcohol content is 20% ABV.
What is St Germain liquor used for?
St. Germain’s main uses are in cocktails, desserts, and culinary applications. It’s especially popular as a cocktail ingredient thanks to its floral aromatics.
What cocktails use St Germain liqueur?
Popular St. Germain cocktails include the St. Germain Spritz, Hugo, St. Germain Cocktail, Elderflower Gimlet, and Gin Blossom.
Is St Germain keto friendly?
St. Germain is not keto friendly. It has 7 grams of sugar per ounce. The liqueur derives its sweetness mainly from added cane sugar.
Is St Germain gluten free?
Yes, St. Germain liqueur is gluten-free. It contains no gluten ingredients.
Where can I buy St Germain elderflower liqueur?
St. Germain is sold at many liquor stores, wine shops, grocery stores, and online retailers like Drizly and ReserveBar. It retails for around $30-40 per standard 750mL bottle.
Conclusion
With its delicate floral flavors and versatility, it’s easy to see why St. Germain has become a modern cocktail staple. Sipped on its own or mixed into drinks and desserts, this French liqueur made from elderflowers adds sweet, fruit-forward aromatics. St. Germain continues to inspire bartenders to create signature cocktails highlighting its nuanced taste and smooth texture.