Vintage Elderflower Gin Cocktail

A few weeks ago, I did something I never ever expected to do because of this blog. I rode in the Flying Cucumber, sponsored by Hendrick’s gin. There was me, another Nashville blogger,  Philip from Southern Fatty and the pilot. We took off on one of the most beautiful days of summer over the city of Nashville.

The Flying Cucumber is a blimp, but they prefer to use the word dirigible. They did a very chic and vintage set up in the middle of the grass field at one of the smaller airports, serving cocktails and croissants. Before we took off, we were given small flasks of gin and champagne. This is a very good combination, and yes I did drink it up in the air.

The dirigible is 130 feet long, 44 feet tall, with whimsical graphics. The journey began in San Diego and ended in Nashville. We got to take the last of the rides. When we touched down, we were served cocktails. I chose the very refreshing cucumber basil smash, which I will share next week.

Hendrick’s Gin has helped to push the new popularity of gin in recent years.

This is a brilliant promotion for an even more brilliant gin, made with a distinct blend of eleven botanicals, as well as rose petals and cucumber. Hand crafted in Scotland in small batches by William Grant & Sons, it is the only gin that uses a Carter-Head and Copper Pot Still, creating a very smooth and unique gin. Hendrick’s, flavored by rose petals and cucumbers, is the gin for people who think they don’t like gin, as the juniper is not so profound, and is more nuanced. This article gives a very thorough explanation of how Hendrick’s gin is produced. In recent years Hendrick’s gin has helped push a new found gin popularity to the forefront.

Gin is not just for gin and tonic or martinis although, those are still classics. Hendrick’s has created a few very unusual recipes that I may share with you in the coming weeks that compliment the cucumber infusion of the gin.

Here is a short video of my experience up in the air in the Flying Cucumber.

The Elderflower Gin Cocktail is made with black grapes, which gives it a lovely blush pink color.

When we got back, I knew I had to add Hendrick’s gin to my bar collection.

The Blush Elderflower Gin Cocktail was inspired by something I saw in the cocktail book, Shaken. I’ve modified their version. The original recipe in the charming cocktail book, Shake, concord grapes were used with St. Germaine, resulting in a much deeper pink color.

I’ve used a Elderflower Cordial from Belvoir fruit farms. If you don’t have that, you can use a combination of St. Germain and lemon simple syrup.

The pink color comes from midnight beauty grapes which are muddled in a shaker. The drink is perfect for summer, and the color makes me think this is great for a girlfriend party or bridal shower cocktail.

How to Make Elderflower Cordial from Jamie Oliver

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Black Grape, Lemon, Elderflower Gin Cocktail

Midnight Grapes with lemon elderflower marry Hendrick's gin for a pale blush cocktail, refreshing for summer, perfect for parties, adapted from a recipe in the cocktail book, Shake

Course: Cocktail

Cuisine: American

Author: Angela Roberts

Ingredients

• 10 Concord grapes or black grapes known as Midnight Beauties
• 1 shot Elderflower Cordial see notes
• 2 shots of Hendrick's gin (or your favorite gin
• ice
• 2 chilled coupes

Instructions

• Muddle 8 grapes, until crushed. I used midnight beauties.
• Add gin, cordial, ice, and shake until thoroughly mixed.
• Pour into chilled glasses.
• Garnish each with one grape.

Notes

In place of Belvoir Farms, Elderflower Cordial made with fresh flowers and fresh lemons, you can use 1 shot each of St. Germain and Lemon Juice, (as per the original recipe)

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