Campari & Elderflower Gin Sour

By the time the holiday season is over, most of us could use a break from the more indulgent cocktails with ingredients like heavy cream or chocolate. A lighter cocktail with spirits like gin or vodka is usually what I prefer to make in January. I also love adding floral flavors like elderflower as well as citrus fruits this time of year.

This cocktail does have the bitter notes of Campari as well. Some love it, some hate it but I have a few suggestions if you’re not the biggest Campari fan.

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What is a sour cocktail?

A sour is a type of cocktail and many different cocktails fall under this category. A sour cocktail usually consists of a spirit, lemon or lime juice, a sweetener and sometimes an egg white. This is a template that works well with many different spirits and other flavors can be added using liqueurs or syrups.

What is Campari?

Campari is a bitter Italian apéritif. It is bright red and made from different herbs and fruits. Its flavor is bitter with notes of orange. If you dislike the bitter flavor of Campari you can substitute with Aperol which is somewhat sweeter than Campari. Any other similar type of apéritif would work as a substitute as well.

If you like Campari then try a classic Americano.

Elderflower Syrup

Elderflower syrup is made from the elderflower plant. While it is possible to make this syrup, you would need access to fresh elderflowers. You can buy this syrup from many different brands like Monin.

What kind of gin to use?

You can use any type of gin you prefer. A gin with floral notes, like Hendrick’s or The Botanist, may compliment this cocktail better than a London dry gin.

Can I make it a mocktail?

If you’re participating in Dry January you can still enjoy this cocktail. Just swap the gin for a non alcoholic gin like this one from Ritual. And swap the Campari for a non alcoholic apéritif like this one from Lyre.