Spring has sprung, and there's no better way to celebrate the beginning of the season than with St- Germain. Made from handpicked elderflowers native to France, it makes an elegant addition whether you’re planning a romantic picnic for two or partying outdoors with friends. Its subtle flavor allows it to pair easily with complementary spirits. A classic celebratory pairing combines St-Germain with Champagne, but bartenders in Austin are using it with more than just bubbly. Vodka, gin, rye, rum, tequila and bourbon all play well with St-Germain. See Eater’s map of where to find St-Germain in and out of the bottle. À votre santé!
Chauncy James is the bar manager for East Side Showroom on East 6 and his cool Blush cocktail is a required tasting. He praised the multifaceted talents of St-Germain, describing it as “extremely versatile,” revealing that the spirit affords a bartender “some leniency, and some give and take.” He noted it also creates instant converts: “St-Germain is very accessible to people. You can slide a St-Germain cocktail over to someone who’s maybe not aware of the cocktail renaissance and they’ll immediately connect with it.” How does the elderflower spirit pull off such a trick? “It is delicious, it has a unique aesthetic and a cool bottle.” Chauncy said in the beginning the St-Germain cocktail requests were overwhelming for French 77’s, but that St-Germain is “coming into its own category.” Stop into the East Side Showroom, order a Blush cocktail, and find out what its creator meant when he said of St-Germain: “When it is really dialed in, it is exquisite.”
Equal Parts:
Aquavit
St-Germain
Cocchi Americano
Grapefuit Juice
Mix ingredients. Serve in a martini glass with a grapefruit peel garnish.
