Elderflower Vodka Spritz: Light, Floral, and Refreshing!
By Jason Griffith
The moment I sip an Elderflower Vodka Spritz, I’m instantly transported to a sunny patio overlooking a garden in full bloom. It’s a cocktail that whispers sophistication rather than shouting it—light, subtly floral, and perfectly effervescent. If you’ve been searching for an elegant, easy-to-make drink that feels special without being complicated, congratulations, you’ve found it.
This spritz is built on a foundation of smooth vodka and the unmistakable, honeyed aroma of elderflower liqueur. When topped with soda water and a kiss of Prosecco, it transforms into the ultimate refreshing sip for brunches, summer evenings, or just a quiet afternoon treat. Forget heavy, sugary drinks; this is pure, bubbly elegance.
🤩 Why I Love This Recipe
I’ve mixed hundreds of cocktails, but the Elderflower Vodka Spritz remains one of my absolute favorites for a few key reasons:
- It’s Effortlessly Elegant: The beautiful pale hue and the simple, sophisticated garnish make this drink look like it came straight from a high-end cocktail bar, yet it takes about five minutes to assemble.
- The Perfect Balance: Elderflower is sweet, but the soda water and the crispness of the vodka and sparkling wine prevent it from being cloying. It’s refreshing in a way few cocktails are.
- Highly Adaptable: While I love the classic recipe, it’s a great base for adding seasonal fruits. A few raspberries or a splash of peach puree can transform the flavor profile easily.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It’s light enough for people who don’t typically enjoy strong drinks, but the complex floral notes intrigue seasoned cocktail enthusiasts. It’s always a winner when entertaining!
📝 Elderflower Vodka Spritz Ingredients
This recipe makes one serving.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Vodka | 121 oz | Use a good quality, smooth vodka. |
| Elderflower Liqueur | 1 oz | St-Germain is the gold standard, but any quality elderflower liqueur works. |
| Soda Water (or Tonic Water) | 2 oz | Chilled is best! Tonic adds a touch more bitterness/complexity. |
| Prosecco or Sparkling Wine | 1 oz | A dry (Brut) Prosecco is ideal. |
| Ice Cubes | A generous amount | Essential for a cold, crisp drink. |
| Garnish | Lemon slice, cucumber ribbon, fresh mint leaves | Adds visual appeal and a refreshing aroma. |
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🍎 Swaps and Notes
- Vodka Alternative: Gin works wonderfully here for a more botanical, herbal spin on the cocktail.
- The Bubbly: If you don’t have Prosecco, you can use Champagne, Cava, or simply increase the soda water to 3 oz. The Prosecco adds richness and more refined bubbles.
- Sweetness Control: If you find the drink too sweet (depending on your liqueur), add a small squeeze of fresh lime juice to brighten it up.
- Serving Size: Easily scale this recipe up for a pitcher. Just calculate the total liquid, mix the vodka and liqueur, and keep the soda water and Prosecco separate to top each glass just before serving.
🍸 How to Make the Elderflower Vodka Spritz
The beauty of this spritz is in its simplicity. You don’t need a shaker or any fancy equipment.
Step 1: Prep Your Glass
Start with a wine glass, a highball, or a large tumbler. Fill the glass generously with ice cubes. The colder the drink, the better the experience!
Step 2: Build the Base
Pour the 121 oz of vodka and 1 oz of elderflower liqueur directly over the ice. Give it a gentle stir with a spoon to chill the liquids slightly and mix them.
Step 3: Add the Fizz
Add 2 oz of chilled soda water (or tonic water). Then, top the whole drink with 1 oz of Prosecco or sparkling wine.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
This is where the magic happens. A simple lemon slice draped over the rim is fine, but for the full elegance factor, try a thin cucumber ribbon (run a vegetable peeler down a cucumber) and a sprig of fresh mint. The mint adds a burst of aroma with every sip. Serve immediately and enjoy the sparkle!
🏆 Tips for Success
- Quality Ingredients Matter: Since this recipe has so few ingredients, the quality of your vodka and elderflower liqueur will really shine through. Use the best you can afford.
- Chill Everything: Make sure your soda water and Prosecco are ice-cold. This reduces the amount of ice melt and keeps the flavor from getting diluted.
- Don’t Over-Stir: Once you add the sparkling components (soda and Prosecco), stir very gently and minimally just to combine the layers. You want to preserve those beautiful bubbles!
- The Right Glass: While any tall glass works, a wide wine glass or a specialty spritz glass allows the beautiful aroma of the elderflower and mint to hit your nose as you sip, enhancing the flavor.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This light and floral spritz pairs beautifully with foods that are equally fresh and not too heavy.
- Brunch Dishes: It’s the perfect companion for a smoked salmon platter, eggs Benedict, or a light vegetable quiche.
- Appetizers: Try it alongside a Baked Brie Appetizer or a light Caprese salad.
- Light Lunch: Pairs wonderfully with a simple grilled chicken salad or goat cheese and fig crostini.
- Cocktail Hour: Serve it next to a platter of olives, grapes, and feta cheese.
For non-alcoholic alternatives, consider whipping up a batch of my Blueberry Lemonade for guests who prefer to skip the alcohol.
📊 Nutritional Information Per Serving
Please note that this is an estimate and can vary based on the specific brands of alcohol and sparkling wine used.
| Metric | Estimate |
| Calories | 150−180 kcal |
| Total Carbs | 8−12 g |
| Sugar | 8−12 g |
| Alcohol Content | ≈15% ABV |
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Disclaimer: Nutritional values are approximate.
🧊 Storage and Leftover Tips
A spritz, by nature, is designed to be made and consumed immediately to enjoy maximum fizziness.
- Prep Ahead (Pitcher Method): If you are hosting, you can combine the vodka and elderflower liqueur mixture in a pitcher and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Do not add the soda water or Prosecco until right before serving! Add the chilled fizzy components directly to each glass just before serving to maintain the bubbles.
- Leftovers: There is no good way to store a leftover spritz—it will lose its carbonation quickly. It’s always better to mix less and make a fresh one if needed!
🥂 More Recipes You Will Love
Looking for more refreshing sips and cocktail hour favorites? Give these a try:
- Classic Cocktails: You can never go wrong with a pitch-perfect Classic Margarita Recipe (Easy and Delicious).
- Fruity & Bubbly: For a festive, group-friendly drink, try my recipe for This Rainbow Sangria is My Favorite Colorful Drink for Any Celebration.
- Minty Refreshment: If you love fresh herbs in your drink, the Refreshing Strawberry Mojito Recipe (Perfect For Summer) is a must-try.
- Classic Comfort Food Pairing: If you need a dish to follow your spritz, my Classic Spaghetti Recipe with Homemade Sauce is the ultimate comfort dinner.
🎉 Final Thoughts
The Elderflower Vodka Spritz is a testament to the idea that the best things in life are often simple. It’s light, floral, bubbly, and the perfect signature cocktail for your next gathering or just a lovely treat for yourself. It delivers a touch of luxury with zero effort.
Did you try adding a garnish variation? Did you use gin instead of vodka? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below! Don’t forget to follow us on social media for more cocktail hacks and delicious recipes.
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