Elderberry Gin Sour (with Mocktail Variant)
A bittersweet cocktail where tart elderberry tea meets gin, lemon, and a silky foam—plus an alcohol-free mocktail version for everyone at the table.
Elderberry's tart, jammy depth makes it a natural for cocktails. A strong, chilled elderberry tea—always made from cooked berries—brings a gorgeous deep-purple color and dark-fruit complexity that pairs beautifully with botanical gin in a classic sour.
The balance is everything: fresh lemon juice sharpens the berry notes while a little simple syrup softens the tartness, and an optional egg white or aquafaba gives the drink its signature silky foam. The result is a sophisticated, fruit-forward sour with a striking color.
Cook and chill your elderberry concentrate before mixing. A bright, well-strained tea folds cleanly into the shaker without sediment, letting the deep berry color shine through the foam at the top of the glass.
For a mocktail version, simply skip the gin and build the drink with the chilled elderberry tea, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of tonic or sparkling water, shaken with optional aquafaba for foam. You get the same tart, jammy complexity and dramatic purple hue without the alcohol—perfect for anyone who wants the ritual without the buzz.
Ingredients
- 60 ml gin
- 45 ml strong chilled elderberry tea (from cooked berries)
- 25 ml fresh lemon juice
- 15 ml simple syrup
- 1 egg white or 25 ml aquafaba (optional, for foam)
- Sparkling water, to top (optional)
- Lemon twist for garnish
- Ice cubes
How to make it
- 1Make the elderberry tea: simmer dried elderberries in water for 15 minutes to cook them, strain, and chill until cold.
- 2Add gin, chilled elderberry tea, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white or aquafaba (if using) to a cocktail shaker. Dry shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- 3Add ice and shake again for 15 seconds until well chilled.
- 4Strain into a chilled coupe glass and let the foam settle.
- 5Top with a small splash of sparkling water if desired and garnish with a lemon twist.
- 6For the mocktail: omit the gin, increase the elderberry tea to 75 ml, and top with sparkling water; shake with aquafaba for the same silky foam.
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