St Germain Tasting Notes

I love a liqueur I can sip. Just one that you can crack open no matter what time of day it is and enjoy. Even better if it’s versatile enough to mix simply within some classic drinks. St Germain is a staple to my drinks cabinet because it does just that. Question is, out of all the elderflower liqueurs on the market these days, why this one?

Lets take a look.

St Germain was the pioneer, the original elderflower liqueur. When third generation distiller Robert Cooper, he of Chambord fame, saw the importance of non-alcoholic elderflower cordials in London around 2002, and worked on creating a world first. 
He went for hand-picked elderflower petals from the French Alps  in Haute Savoie (preferred due to the abundance available) which 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, with the results macerated in grape neutral grain spirit (a blend of Chardonnay and Gamay grapes) within 48 hours of being picked.

Once completed, he then adds 180g of Caribbean cane sugar per litre and bottled within the now distinctive Belle Epoque eight-sided shape. The bottle itself was created as a tribute to the vibrant art deco period in Saint-Germain-des-pres, a place that Robert Cooper would name his liqueur after falling in love with its character and café’s whilst developing his brand on trips to the Alps and the distillery after flying from Paris.

So, how does it fare? Well below, I give to you my tasting notes – 

St Germain – 20%

Delicate, with plenty of sweet aromas of elderflower on the nose. Rather rich on the palate, but mellows quickly with citrus flavours cutting through. Short, but an air of elderflower lingers. 

Fantastic on its own, but with something like this, could change the perspective of your day –

St Germain and Champagne *

Glass – 

Champagne flute or Coupette

Ingredients – 

15 ml Chilled St Germain
120 ml Chilled Dry Champagne
Spritz of Orange Juice

Method – 

Add St Germain and Champagne to a flute or coupette glass then add a spritz of orange juice.

Amazing! Perfect for any time of year, and should be a staple to any drinks cabinet or night out. And in case you need any more reasons to experience St Germain, each bottle is individually numbered and marked with the vintage year. Uniqueness at its best. 

* Credit to inspiredtaste.net for the recipe

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