Late May is nature's party time, when elderflower is in full bloom. Perfect time to make your own elderflower syrup (check out our recipe here!), but don't stress: a ready-made bottle from the shop will do just fine too. After all, with that syrup you make Hugo, the ultimate spring cocktail. Fresh, festive and so easy to make. This is it!
Elderflower in your cocktail: good idea!
Elderflower comes from the elder bush. You know, that shrub with umbels full of little white flowers that suddenly seem to be everywhere in May and June. You can recognise it by its large, flat umbels and the sweet scent that meets you from metres away. And that's a good thing, because you prefer to pick by smell: the stronger and more floral, the tastier your syrup will be. Elderflower, by the way, is not only delicious but also a bit healthy: it is said to help with colds and boost your resistance. But fair is fair, we pick it mainly because it tastes SO delicious - a bit citrusy, floral and super fresh. Ideal for syrup, tea or that stunner of a cocktail.
Pick elderflower yourself
You can buy elderflower syrup - nice and easy - in shops, but you can also make a wildflower cocktail from it, because elderflower can be found in lots of places in the Netherlands. Want the tastiest elderflower and pick it yourself? Then go out early in the morning, preferably on a sunny day. That is when the flowers are at their best and you will soon have a syrup full of aroma and floral freshness. When picking, also make sure you take the umbels a little higher from the bush. Not only because the top flowers are often the prettiest, but also... well, dog pee. You get the idea.
Hugo, the tastiest elderflower cocktail
Kitchenware
- wine glass or long drink glass
- measuring glass or shot glass
- spoon for stirring
- cutting board + knife
Ingredients
- 120 ml cold prosecco or cava per glass - which is just a little less than a standard wine glass. Prefer alcohol-free? Then double the amount of sparkling water.
- 30 ml sparkling water 1 shot glass
- 30 ml elderflower syrup homemade or from the shop
- slice of lime
- a few sprigs of fresh mint
- handful of ice cubes
Instructions
- Fill the glass with ice cubes.
- First, pour the elderflower syrup into the glass.
- Then add the prosecco and sparkling water.
- Stir gently with a spoon.
- Garnish with a slice of lime and a few sprigs of mint.
Will Hugo be your favourite spring cocktail?
Whether you make it with a pick of fresh elderflower or a bottle of syrup from the shop, this elderflower cocktail brings instant spring fever. Delicious on a sunny balcony, in the garden or just inside with an open window and a little imagination. One sip and you immediately understand why Hugo comes back every spring.
