April's theme, "April in Paris," celebrates the sophisticated elegance of French mixology. All month, we'll explore cocktails inspired by the City of Light - from classic French spirits to modern interpretations that capture that unmistakable je ne sais quoi of Parisian drinking culture.
This week's feature is the "Parisian Daisy" - a sophisticated evolution of the classic daisy cocktail family, which dates back to the 1870s. The original daisy was essentially a sour with something extra - typically fizzy water or a splash of grenadine. Our French-inspired version elevates this concept with St-Germain, the celebrated elderflower liqueur hand-crafted from fresh blooms gathered in the French Alps.
Welcome to the About Mansfield COTW 2025! I'm your favorite master mixologist Brian Certain, and we're beginning our French journey with this elegant spring sipper.
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz premium vodka
- 1 oz St-Germain elderflower liqueur
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- Chilled soda water to top
- Lemon twist and fresh elderflower (when in season) for garnish
Directions
- Fill a shaker with fresh ice
- Add vodka, St-Germain, and lemon juice
- Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds
- Strain into a collins glass filled with fresh ice
- Top with chilled soda water
- Garnish with lemon twist and elderflower if available
- Give a gentle stir
Flavor Profile
- Primary: Delicate elderflower, clean vodka
- Secondary: Bright citrus
- Finish: Light, effervescent, with subtle floral notes
Why this cocktail for early April? The elderflower blooms that create St-Germain are harvested in spring, making this the perfect time to celebrate their fleeting beauty. Each bottle of St-Germain contains up to 1,000 hand-picked elderflower blossoms, gathered during a brief three-to-four-week period in the French Alps.
Pro tip: Temperature is crucial here - make sure all ingredients, especially your soda water, are properly chilled. The colder the drink, the more the delicate elderflower notes shine through.
As always, I'm open to hear your take and input. You can reach me at [email protected]