This elderflower spritz is three ingredients plus ice, and it takes about five minutes to put together. The ratio of prosecco to elderflower liqueur is equal parts — heavier on the liqueur than most spritzes — which makes it noticeably floral and a little sweet without being cloying. It’s a good option when you want something that feels a bit special but doesn’t require any bartending skill.
The short version of why this works
Two things actually matter here. First, keep everything cold before it hits the glass — warm prosecco or warm elderflower liqueur will kill the bubbles fast and leave you with a flat drink before you’ve taken three sips. Stick the prosecco and the liqueur in the fridge for at least an hour ahead of time. Second, pour the club soda last and stir gently. The soda is doing the work of stretching the bubbles through the whole drink; if you stir hard after adding it, you’re just knocking the carbonation out. A single slow pass with a bar spoon is enough to combine everything.
Common problems and fixes
- Drink goes flat immediately: Your glass wasn’t cold enough. A room-temperature wine glass warms the liquid quickly and accelerates carbonation loss. Chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before you build the drink, or fill it with ice water for a minute and dump it before adding the ice cubes.
- Tastes too sweet: St-Germain is already quite sweet on its own, and 60 ml is a generous pour. Pull it back to 45 ml and add a small extra splash of club soda to compensate. A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice directly into the glass — not just as garnish — also cuts through the sweetness noticeably.
- Ice dilutes the drink too quickly: Small, hollow ice cubes melt fast. Use the largest ice cubes you can make, or a single large sphere if you have the mold. The recipe card mentions large clear cubes for a reason — surface area matters here.
- Making drinks for a group and they taste inconsistent: Pre-batch the prosecco and elderflower liqueur together in a chilled pitcher — equal parts, stirred once — and keep it in the fridge. Pour over ice per glass and top each with club soda to order. Skip the garnish on the batch; it’s not worth the extra prep for a crowd.
- Elderflower tonic makes it too bitter: Elderflower tonic water has a stronger, sharper flavor than plain club soda, and it can fight with the liqueur rather than support it. If you try it and it tastes off, go back to plain club soda — the liqueur already provides all the floral flavor you need.
Elderflower Spritz
Ingredients
- 60 ml Prosecco Chilled
- 60 ml Elderflower Liqueur St-Germain recommended
- 30 ml Club Soda Chilled
- 1 slice Lemon For garnish
- 1 sprig Mint Fresh, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large wine glass with ice, preferably large, clear cubes to chill the drink efficiently.
- Pour in 60 ml (2 fl oz) of chilled Prosecco directly over the ice, letting it cascade gently.
- Add 60 ml (2 fl oz) of Elderflower Liqueur, opting for St-Germain for the most authentic floral essence.
- Top off with 30 ml (1 fl oz) of chilled club soda to add a refreshing effervescence.
- Gently stir with a bar spoon to blend, taking care not to disturb the bubbles too vigorously.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon slice and a sprig of mint—slap the mint gently between your palms to release its aromatic oils before placing it in the drink.
Notes
Nutrition
Common questions
Can I make this without alcohol?
Yes, but you’ll need to replace both components. Use a non-alcoholic sparkling wine or plain sparkling water in place of the prosecco, and swap the elderflower liqueur for elderflower cordial — use about 20 ml since cordial is much sweeter and more concentrated than the liqueur. Taste and adjust before serving.
What’s the best prosecco to use — does the brand matter?
Any dry (brut) prosecco works fine here. You don’t need to spend a lot; a mid-range bottle in the $12–$18 range is plenty. Avoid anything labeled ‘extra dry’ if you can, since that’s counterintuitively sweeter than brut and can push the drink over the edge with the liqueur already in there.
Can I make a big batch ahead of time for a party?
You can pre-mix the prosecco and elderflower liqueur and keep it in a sealed pitcher in the fridge for up to two hours before guests arrive. Don’t add the club soda until you’re pouring individual glasses — it will go flat in the pitcher. Pour over ice and top with soda to order.
Where do I find elderflower liqueur, and is there a substitute?
St-Germain is the most widely available brand and is stocked at most liquor stores and many large grocery stores with a spirits section. If you can’t find it, elderflower cordial (a non-alcoholic syrup) is a reasonable substitute — use about a third of the quantity since it’s much sweeter and more concentrated.
How far ahead can I prep the glasses with ice?
Build the ice in the glasses up to 30 minutes ahead and keep them in the freezer — this actually helps chill the glass further. Don’t pour the liquid until you’re ready to serve, or the ice will melt and water everything down before anyone takes a sip.
