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Tart, dry and lightly bitter, but with just enough underlying sweetness to stroke the palate and make another sip so very desirable – a complex, bittersweet...
Riccardo Romeo
27th January at 19:13
I found the cocktail a little too bitter-forward: Campari and grapefruit are balanced only with 10ml of St. Germain. Maybe switching the proportions of elderflower and Campari would make it less bitter and more balanced. I know this is meant to be an aperitif, but next time I’ll try like this.
30th May 2025 at 19:00
Was surprised at how balanced, thought the Campari would be more pronounced. I did a hard shake with a gardenia petal in the tin and garnished with a fresh petal. Added a very nice floral nose to the cocktail. Gardenia petals are edible in low quantities. Very nice indeed! Nice mouth feel too!
25th May 2024 at 11:17
Fruity and lightly tangy, with just the right amount of underlying sugar, herbs and bitterness to give it depth. Balance worked well for me, Campari was a lightly fruity undertone rather than dominating as it sometimes does. Very sippable.
25th May 2024 at 11:20
I think this season’s (Australian) grapefruits are on the mild side so might need dial back as appropriate on another occasion.
24th May 2024 at 12:16
I love bitter, but I felt the red bitter liqueur (Luxardo in my case, which I believe is less bitter than Campari) absolutely dominated the drink. Couldn’t even detect the St Germain, and the Bulldog gin I was using didn’t stand a chance (is there a Pitbull gin?).
6th April 2024 at 18:24
Perfectly balanced for me at the current proportions. The bitterness of the grapefruit and Campari balance out the sweeter ingredients.
8th March 2024 at 07:57
Gilbey's ... it's kinda too much grapefruit honestly. not a bad jazz-up for a gin and juice but personally i kinda dont find it to have that legendary balance. kinda tastes like too much elder, ya know. not bad though. nice and dry
3rd March 2024 at 20:16
The first few sips...wow, this is bringing meaning to the idea of a drink being dry. But...it definitely improved. Greatly so.
5th January 2024 at 04:06
Oh My God My New Best Friend !... Nicely balanced. Each sip invited or practically demanded the next to try to identify the flavor sequence. Beefeater, Combier Liqueur de Sueau, Campari, Ocean Spray White Grapefruit Juice, pink grapefruit zest, perfect.
7th December 2023 at 10:31
Gordon's | Super Grapefruit | tangy, acidic. need to adjust super grapefruit ratios.
22nd September 2023 at 20:29
Huh. Tried this with Gunpowder and it was kind of terrible. All my fave ingredients but something was off? Elderflower absolutely overpowered, and as much as I adore Campari I think Aperol may be a better amaro to use. Using Gunpowder is on me, lovely flavor but didn’t match at all. French Gimlet, YES. This? Nope.
14th June 2023 at 22:54
I made this with Drumshanbo Gunpowder gin and a generous pour of St. Germain, and found it very, very enjoyable. A good mix of gin botanicals, bitter background, and a sweet floral finish. I will definitely revisit this one.
2nd June 2023 at 22:37
I don't often have fresh pink grapefruit available, so I'm using a grapefruit liqueur and Topo Chico to make something light and refreshing as a Gin and Tonic but different.
29th April 2023 at 17:53
LOVE THIS!! I did add an extra 5ml of grapefruit juice and Campari because I love the bitter. It's delicious on a warm night!
4th July 2022 at 22:05
Can confirm! Great hot summer evening apéritif. When you want something more complex than most gin sours, but it’s blazin’ out there at the grill!
25th June 2022 at 22:14
Less elderflower liqueur or it dominates - original recipe with 7,5 ml is great. Recommended cocktail in that way.
27th June 2022 at 17:42
Thanks (all) for the feedback. I've nudged the elderflower back to 10ml (1/3oz). Please see my review above.
16th June 2022 at 23:40
A very nice cocktail. Grapefruit forward with the St Germain providing a nice finish. (This is weird but to me St Germain smells and tastes like mangoes). This was very nice on a hot summer evening and would highly recommend.
18th March 2022 at 07:29
Made this cocktail this evening and wondered why I had previously rated it a five star. Found it sweet and intense. Then when reading comments realised the recipe has changed.
I will try it again in future with the 1/4oz elderflower. I think I might then remember why I liked it so much the first time.
I will try it again in future with the 1/4oz elderflower. I think I might then remember why I liked it so much the first time.
25th June 2022 at 22:17
Agreed.
Anonymous
16th January 2022 at 17:30
Quite good indeed.Fruity, just a little sweet and very pleasant bitterness.
1st August 2021 at 20:30
Decent blend, but before shaking, scanned the recipe and immediately thought of the Ruby (TAG). This expresses as a more punchy, jagged proto-rendering of that Ruby, with me left thirsty for the evolved creation.
Anonymous
14th June 2021 at 02:07
I made this with Big Gin, st. Germain, and knight gabriello rosso Amaro. The description is right on - it’s very drinkable.
7th April 2021 at 19:53
Would be best over ice or with some seltzer to help break it up.
7th April 2021 at 00:09
Great colour and aperitif. Good balance with just a hint of the bitterness. Not sweet.
3rd March 2021 at 04:58
An excellent cocktail and properly balanced bittersweet. As noted by others the lively color is exciting as the drink dances in the mouth long after the first sip.
3rd March 2021 at 04:57
Outstanding! The bitterness from the Campari and grapefruit is well balanced by the sweetness of the St-Germain. (Prepared with the current 1/2 oz Elderflower recipe.)
Plus the color combination of pink grapefruit and Campari can’t be beat (see also the Parma Negroni).
Plus the color combination of pink grapefruit and Campari can’t be beat (see also the Parma Negroni).
19th December 2020 at 01:04
Contrary to previous posts, I would trim a bit from the elderflower and ebb the sweetness. Very delicious cocktail. Definitely adding this to my favorites.
12th December 2020 at 03:27
I bought my first bottle of St Germain and so was looking to start trying some recipes with it as I've never tried it before. This was a great start. Delicious drink! Fruity but very serious and complex—very much to my taste. Will definitely make again. I have not tried with the previous 1/4 St G recipe but this seems just right.
Anonymous
29th October 2020 at 01:28
Tried it w gin base and enjoyed it. Swapped out gin for mezcal and would highly recommend for the more adventurous.
9th October 2020 at 18:35
A bit dry so if you have a sweeter tooth double up on the elderflower liqueur to make it your new best friend
17th October 2020 at 18:04
Thanks Sally. after experimentation, I've gone with your suggestion.
22nd September 2020 at 10:32
I had to sweeten this to my taste.
Perhaps going up a bit with the St. Germaine would have a similar effect?
Perhaps going up a bit with the St. Germaine would have a similar effect?
17th October 2020 at 18:05
Agreed. I've doubled up on the elderflower liqueur. Thanks for the suggestion.
6th August 2020 at 04:17
Beautiful colour. Lots of grapefruit flavour. Good with dillution and temp. Our house is split between the recipe as is and bringing down the Campari and upping the St. Germaine slightly.
17th October 2020 at 18:06
Agreed! I've doubled up on the elderflower liqueur. Thanks for the feedback.