St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Difford's Guide
Discerning Drinkers (36 ratings)

alc./vol: 20%

Proof: 40°

Vintage: Non-vintage

Aged: Unaged

Product of: Product of France France

St-Germain is the world's first elderflower liqueur, made with hand-picked elderflower petals macerated in grape neutral spirit within 48 hours of being picked, sweetened with 180g sugar per litre, presented in its distinctive Belle Epoque-style bottle.

The fresh elderflowers used to make St-Germain are harvested from the foothills of the French Alps, in Haute Savoie, where elder trees grow abundantly. The elder shrubs (sambucus nigra) flower for a few weeks in late spring but are only at their ripest for about a week. A group of local French farmers harvest the flowers by hand, as has long been the tradition in this region of France.

Once picked, speed is of the essence in order to capture the blossoms' fragrance and flavour as the flowers dull and fade. The fresh elderflowers are macerated in eau-de-vie made from a blend of Chardonnay and Gamay grapes. The elderflower infused spirit is then blended with 180 grams of sugar per litre.

St-Germain mixes well with all white fruits, particularly apple, pear and white grapes. The acidity of white wine also balances St-Germain and the grassy, gooseberry notes of Sauvignon Blanc work particularly well with the delicate floral notes of the liqueur.

Review and Tasting


Sampled on 06/04/2023

Appearance:

Clear, pale golden.

Aroma:

Clean, delicately fragrant with integrated fruit notes (peach, pear, grapefruit and tinned lychee).

Taste:

Lightly syrupy with floral elderflower, balanced with assertive citric acidity and lemon zest. With notes of lemon meringue pie, pear, passion fruit and sweet pastry.

Aftertaste:

Long elderflower finish with gooseberry and lingering citric acidity.

Overall:

Sweet floral elderflower balanced with assertive citric acidity, St-Germain mixes so well in cocktails that it has been described as "bartender's ketchup."

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Product Information

Barcode UPC: 5014271796185
Bottle Size: 700 ml
Closure: Screw / Stelvin cap

Barcode UPC: 7640175680176
Bottle Size: 200 ml
Closure: Screw / Stelvin cap

Composition

Sugar content 180g/litre

More about St Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Produced by: Undisclosed producer in France
Owned by: Bacardi Limited
UK distribution by: Bacardi UK
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