There are several flavors or ingredients on a menu that will lure me into ordering a drink or dish. My usual list of suspects includes elderflower, fresh marjoram, lemon and sparkling wine. I loved Bouchon Bakery’s seasonal Apricot-Elderflower Crème Danish, with crispy fried elderflower on top of a glazed apricot sitting in a puddle of elderflower flavored crème held within a flakey, buttery rectangular puff. Otherwise, I have only seen elderflower in the form of syrup, or my favored St. Germain’s Elderflower Liqueur. Juice, the former master mixologist at WD-50, introduced me to elderflower in one of his creations. I’ve been smitten since my first taste, unable to get the lovely floral flavor out of my palette’s memory. Since my initial introduction I have been repeatedly drawn back to Death & Company for many reasons, one of which is their elderflower scented Nina’s Moan. Below is my guess at the recipe they use to make the drink. I’ve also included two St. Germain drink recipes I found online. One is a simple and classic St. Germain cocktail. The other, called the Elderthorn, is included here because of the very interesting use of Cynar, which is a herb flavored liqueur. Now to find a drink incorporating fresh marjoram…
Death & Company’s Nina’s Moan Cocktail
-1 ½ shot St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
-1 shot Courvoisier or other cognac
-splash Angostura bitters
-top with sparkling wine
Pour ingredients into a chilled fluted glass and stir lightly. Float a lemon twist as garnish.
St. Germain Cocktail
-2 shots sparkling wine
-1 ½ shots St. Germain
-2 shots sparkling water
Stir ingredients in a tall, ice-filled glass. Serve with a lemon twist.
Elderthorn
-2 shots cognac (or brandy)
-1 shot St. Germain Elderflower Liquer
-½ shot Cynar
Stir with ice, strain into a cocktail glass.
