๐ Introduction
Winter Elderflower Sparkling Snow Blossom is a refreshing, elegant cold-weather drink that captures all the delicate floral notes of elderflower with bright winter citrus, gentle botanicals, and a sparkling finish. Instead of relying on spirits, this cocktail-style beverage layers flavor through aromatic ingredients, herbal notes, and crisp fizz โ giving you the same sophisticated profile without using any alcohol at all.
Lightly sweet, beautifully fragrant, and perfect for festive gatherings, cozy nights, New Yearโs toasts, or winter brunches, this drink feels refined, magical, and wonderfully seasonal.
๐งฐ Equipment Needed
- Cocktail shaker or mason jar
- Citrus juicer
- Fine mesh strainer
- Jigger or measuring spoons
- Serving glass (coupe, stemless wine glass, or rocks glass)
- Small saucepan (optional for winter syrup)
๐ Ingredients
Elderflower & Botanical Base
- 3 tablespoons elderflower cordial
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or simple syrup (optional for extra sweetness)
- 2โ3 drops orange blossom water (for botanical depth)
Sparkling Top
- ยฝโ1 cup chilled sparkling water or botanical sparkling tonic
Optional Winter Infusion Syrup
(Adds warmth and depth)
- ยผ cup water
- ยผ cup honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- Small strip of orange zest
Garnish
- Lemon twist
- Dehydrated citrus wheel
- Edible flowers
- Fresh thyme or rosemary
๐ฉโ๐ณ Directions
Step 1: Make optional winter syrup
In a small saucepan, combine water, honey, cinnamon stick, cloves, and orange zest.
Warm gently 2โ3 minutes (do not boil).
Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
Strain and cool completely.
Step 2: Build the botanical base
In a shaker, combine:
- Elderflower cordial
- Lemon juice
- Orange juice
- Optional winter syrup or honey
- Orange blossom water
Add ice and shake vigorously for 8โ10 seconds.
Step 3: Strain & pour
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass filled with fresh ice.
Step 4: Add sparkling finish
Top with sparkling water or botanical tonic.
Stir gently.
Step 5: Garnish
Add a lemon twist, citrus wheel, edible flower, or fresh thyme for a stunning winter aesthetic.
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings & Timing
- Serves: 1 drink
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Optional Syrup Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: ~5โ15 minutes
๐ง Storage & Reheating
- Elderflower mixture (without sparkling water) keeps 3โ4 days in the fridge. โ๏ธ
- Optional winter syrup lasts 2 weeks refrigerated.
- Always add sparkling water immediately before serving for best fizz.
๐ฅ Variations
- Frosted Berry Elderflower Twist
Add 2 tablespoons muddled cranberries or raspberries before shaking. - Herbal Winter Blossom
Add a tiny sprig of rosemary or thyme to the shaker for infused botanical flavor. - Citrus Glow Version
Increase orange juice for a sunshine-forward flavor. - Ginger Snowfall
Replace sparkling water with chilled ginger beer for warmth. - Lavender Elderflower Sparkle
Add 1โ2 drops lavender extract for floral luxury.
โ 10 FAQs
- Can I make this sweeter?
Add more elderflower cordial or honey. - Can I make it tarter?
Increase the lemon juice for a crisp edge. - Can I batch this for parties?
Yes โ mix everything except sparkling water; add fizz when serving. - Do I have to shake it?
Shaking blends citrus and floral elements smoothly, but stirring works too. - Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh is best, especially in citrus-based drinks. - What glass works best?
Coupes look elegant; rocks glasses feel cozy and wintery. - Is elderflower cordial very sweet?
Yes โ adjust honey accordingly. - Can kids drink this?
Absolutely โ it’s fully non-alcoholic. - Can I make it warm?
Yes โ gently heat all ingredients except sparkling water; top with warm sparkling water substitute like plain hot water. - What if I donโt have orange blossom water?
Skip it or replace with a tiny splash of vanilla.
๐ Conclusion
Winter Elderflower Sparkling Snow Blossom is a sophisticated, fragrant, and beautifully balanced seasonal sip. With floral elderflower, bright citrus, cozy winter spices, and sparkling effervescence, it captures the essence of a festive winter cocktail โ without using any spirits. Elegant enough for celebrations and simple enough for everyday enjoyment, this mocktail becomes an instant favorite the moment you serve it.

Winter Elderflower Sparkling Snow Blossom โ A crisp, floral, wintry sip with bright citrus and fragrant botanicals
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine water, honey, cinnamon stick, cloves, and orange zest.
- Warm gently 2โ3 minutes (do not boil).
- Remove from heat and let steep 10 minutes.
- Strain and cool completely.
- In a shaker, combine:
- Elderflower cordial
- Lemon juice
- Orange juice
- Optional winter syrup or honey
- Orange blossom water
- Add ice and shake vigorously for 8โ10 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with sparkling water or botanical tonic.
- Stir gently.
- Add a lemon twist, citrus wheel, edible flower, or fresh thyme for a stunning winter aesthetic.
Notes
๐ง Storage & Reheating
Elderflower mixture (without sparkling water) keeps 3โ4 days in the fridge. โ๏ธ Optional winter syrup lasts 2 weeks refrigerated. Always add sparkling water immediately before serving for best fizz.๐ฅ Variations
Frosted Berry Elderflower TwistAdd 2 tablespoons muddled cranberries or raspberries before shaking. Herbal Winter Blossom
Add a tiny sprig of rosemary or thyme to the shaker for infused botanical flavor. Citrus Glow Version
Increase orange juice for a sunshine-forward flavor. Ginger Snowfall
Replace sparkling water with chilled ginger beer for warmth. Lavender Elderflower Sparkle
Add 1โ2 drops lavender extract for floral luxury.
โ 10 FAQs
Can I make this sweeter?Add more elderflower cordial or honey. Can I make it tarter?
Increase the lemon juice for a crisp edge. Can I batch this for parties?
Yes โ mix everything except sparkling water; add fizz when serving. Do I have to shake it?
Shaking blends citrus and floral elements smoothly, but stirring works too. Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh is best, especially in citrus-based drinks. What glass works best?
Coupes look elegant; rocks glasses feel cozy and wintery. Is elderflower cordial very sweet?
Yes โ adjust honey accordingly. Can kids drink this?
Absolutely โ it’s fully non-alcoholic. Can I make it warm?
Yes โ gently heat all ingredients except sparkling water; top with warm sparkling water substitute like plain hot water. What if I donโt have orange blossom water?
Skip it or replace with a tiny splash of vanilla.