FRENCHMEN, BICYCLES AND ELDER FLOWERS

I am not an expert mixologist or a booze hound, but I am a romantic.

My first encounter with St. Germain liqueur was at a little bar in San Francisco. The concoction contained champagne, Hendricks gin, St. Germain and a little fresh lemon juice. I have never been a fan of mimosas or bellinis. I prefer my bubbles straight up. I was so beautifully surprised by one particular flavor that I had to ask the bartender what I was drinking. He explained that it was the St. Germain that I was noticing. He gave me a little shot glass with a teeny bit of the liqueur and one sip was all it took.

How does it taste you ask? The makers of St. Germain can’t even nail down one clear description, “Neither passionfruit nor pear, grapefruit nor lemon, the sublime taste of St-Germain hints at each of these and yet none of them exactly.”

Well, I think I have nailed it! It tastes like Lychee and Love. Two of my favorite flavors.

The taste and bouquet are not the only things that have me all a flutter. The story and the packaging are just as romantic. Every year in late spring, farmers scour the foothills of the French Alps collecting the precious Elder flowers. They then deliver the sacks of flowers on bicycles to local depots where the beautiful taste is delicately coaxed out to create this subtle elixir.

Having been in design and advertising so long has made me a sucker for beautiful packaging and a good story. The bottle is beautiful. It could have sat perfectly in a bar in Paris circa 1930, but it was invented only a few years ago. The web site is gorgeous and full of fun things to read. During the holidays a few years back they gave away wrapping paper that had the St. Germain pattern on one side and recipes on the back and a miniature cocktail book.

I usually bring the customary bottle of wine to people’s homes, but I think a bottle of St. Germain is delicious, beautiful and a great conversation starter. It ranges between $25 a $40 a bottle, so it is not necessarily affordable, but unlike wine, it will probably last through a few dinner parties.

I think a little cocktail of equal parts St. Germain,  Prosecco and a few rocks is the perfect middle of the week respite from impending taxes and anything else that may be weighing down on you. A votre santé!

Let me know when you have tried it. Click here for St. Germain cocktail recipes!

By |2018-10-03T16:44:10-04:00March 31st, 2010|

9 Comments

  1. FoodLove March 31, 2010 at 9:04 PM

    Even though I’m not a usually a flavored drink kind of drinker, it is damn good for a lighter wind-me-down.

  2. shannon March 31, 2010 at 9:27 PM

    I have tried it! And you’re right! The wrapping paper, bottle, story and packaging as a whole is absolutely lovely!

  3. shan March 31, 2010 at 9:30 PM

    And the smell is wonderful! They should make a candle with the scent! It smells like spring! 🙂

  4. Nathalie March 31, 2010 at 10:06 PM

    Wow – Even in this cold and damp weather, St. Germain sounds like a must try!

  5. Laurie Hacking March 31, 2010 at 10:51 PM

    I’m inspired. You make it sound so yummy that I’m heading out to buy a bottle. Thanks!!

  6. Louis March 31, 2010 at 11:19 PM

    It is amazing. A great friend of mine brought for our Christmas party. It was great with our champaign punch. It just went a little quickly!!

  7. Kelly Oliver April 1, 2010 at 12:40 PM

    will pick up a bottle for pre-brunch drink on Easter!

  8. meeshallay April 19, 2010 at 3:53 PM

    i’m dying to try this!!!! you make it sound absolutely delightful =]

  9. Katie April 22, 2010 at 2:55 PM

    When I see St. Germain in a cocktail menu item, I order it. Feels young, fresh, and happy….I’ll try your prosecco + st. germain on the rocks idea!

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