Skip advertisement Advertisement

Elder & Wiser

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (74)
Elder & Wiser image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 2⁄3 fl oz Bourbon whiskey
2⁄3 fl oz Elderflower liqueur
2⁄3 fl oz Apple juice/apple cider (cloudy & unsweetened)

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glass

Photographed in an Urban Bar Retro Optic Coupette 15cl

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. FINE STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Elder & Wiser contains 183 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.5 standard drinks
  • 21.65% alc./vol. (43.3° proof)
  • 20.9 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Created in 2006 by yours truly and named for its original base, Wiser's Canadian whisky with elder-flower liqueur.

Due to feedback, particularly from fellow discerning drinker, Andre Derailleur, in May 2026, I revisited this cocktail. If serving over ice, I favour Andre's 4:1:1 ratio (60ml, 15ml, 15ml), but I prefer my Elder & Wiser served straight up using the above 5:2:2 ratio. (My original recipe followed a 2:1:1 ratio of 45ml, 22.5ml, 22.5ml.)

More cocktails by Simon Difford

Review

Apple and elderflower are flavours that blend harmoniously with bourbon whiskey.

Cocktail of the day:

23rd May 2026 is World Turtle Day

Difford’s Shop logo
$4.11 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 7.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

BRUSH
combination of bourbon and apple is already very good, elderflower is a fine addition. However I really think a touch of acidity would make it better ten folds.
score: 1
Andre Derailleur Premium Member
The whiskey elder and apple combination is tasty, but very sweet as specified. I preferred a 4:1:1 ratio with a slice of lemon to add just a touch of acid, plus a dash of bitters to give some more depth.
score: 1
trendomexico Premium Member
OMG is so fruity. Sugar is even in my eyes. It would be amazin' in Gen Z. But for us older generations is like candy. As a matter of fact other commentary says about the banana taste, is true. Good but just one time in a lifetime.
score: 1
margaret badger
Not horrible, but all I can taste is banana (which is, to me, what bourbon tastes like - and banana is not my favourite flavour)! For me, not sure the bitters made any difference. One for our American cousins, I think!
score: 1
James Griffin
Fantastic spring cocktail. Had to substitute elderflower liqueur for a homemade elderflower cordial which added sweetness and reduced alcohol
score: 1
Calvin Grant Premium Member
Delightful and delicious, floral and fruity, and so springtimely... the black elder is in bloom in my neighborhood...and ninety nine proof bourbon balanced the sweeter elements nicely. Thanks Simon!
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
This was very good and loved that the three flavours could be distinguished. The sweetness will be dictated by the sweetness of the apple juice. While it was a tad sweeter for us, we did add 3 - 4 drops of grapefruit bitters and it lessened the sweetness and brightened the three flavours.
score: 4
Christopher Chaffin
After your recommendation I tried the same thing, after adding a squeeze of lemon juice, and it opened the flavors much more than before and made it significantly more palatable. Thank you for the recommendation!
score: 1
Doris Magnus
On the sweeter side, but can taste all three ingredients. 2 1/2 stars(Hubby) 3 1/2(Wifey)
score: 3

View 8 comments and discussion

See more...

Difford’s Shop logo
$4.11 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 7.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio Image

A delicately bittersweet Italian brandy and grappa Boulevardier with amaro liqueur and vermouth amaro.

View more

Bow and Arrow

Bow and Arrow Image

Tropical but far from sweet, led by an interplay between mezcal, pineapple and lime, spiced by cinnamon, with bourbon providing this sour's underlying...

View more

Flyby

Flyby Image

Lavender liqueur replaces crème de violette in this riff on an Aviation.

View more

Bait 'n' Switch

Bait 'n' Switch Image

A Pineapple Mezcal Margarita with chili and cinnamon spice.

View more

Fizz Italiano

Fizz Italiano Image

A superbly refreshing, bittersweet, zesty fizz.

View more

Isle of Islay

Isle of Islay Image

A Penicillin turned Tiki.

View more