10 Best Elderflower Liqueur Substitutes

Elderflower liqueur is made of the flowers of the elderberry plant. The flowers are small, white, and have a sweet, slightly floral flavor with hints of pear and lychee.

People use them in the making of liqueur, syrup, tea, wine, and vinegar. However, you can also use them in cooking and in the preparation of some medicines which help with health problems like colds, diabetes, coughs, inflammation, and joint pain.

Elderflower liqueur is used in many different cocktails for a floral, sweet flavor with hints of citrus, passionfruit, and pears. There are many different brands of elderflower liqueurs, but the most known is St-Germain elderflower liqueur.

A French liqueur made with hand-picked fresh elderflowers with a unique flavor. If you have run out of elderflower liqueur there are some other drinks you can use as its substitutes.

Substitutes for elderflower syrup include St.Elder, Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes, rose 5water, Roomer Elderflower Aperitif, or some of the following products.

Let’s learn more about each substitute below!

Best Elderflower Liqueur Substitutes

You can notice Elderflower liqueur in many cocktail recipes. However, it also goes well with white wine, sparkling water, and sparkling wine. But if you don’t have it on hand, you can use some of these substitutes, and enjoy their flavors.

1. Elderflower syrup

Elderflower syrup has a very beautiful and unique taste and aroma. It works well in many different beverages, baked goods, and as a topping on desserts, yogurt, and fresh fruit.

Elderflower syrup is best when it is made with fresh elderflowers. However, you can also make it with dry elderflowers. You can make it with sugar, elderflowers, water, and lemons.

Mix all together, let it sit for 3-5 days and you will get an elderflower syrup which is a very good substitute for elderflower liqueur in your cocktails.

However, you can also use it as a non-alcoholic drink with sodas, mocktails, and teas.

2. St. Elder

St. Elder is elderflower liqueur made of the elderberry’s flowers. It has a sweet and floral lychee flavor with hints of citrus and pineapple and a pale-yellow color.

St. Elder is sweeter and cheaper than the St. Germain liqueur. But you can use it to prepare your favorite cocktail or any other drink that tastes good when you add elderflower liqueur.

3. Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes

This liqueur is a key ingredient in many popular cocktails because of its unique flavor.

Made of violet flowers, this liqueur has a sweet, light, and floral flavor and purple color. You can use it as a substitute for elderflower liqueur if you want to try a new flavor and brighten up your cocktail.

4. Rosewater

Rosewater is a good non-alcoholic substitute for elderflower liqueur.

Made with fresh rose petals, rosewater works well in different cocktails, baked goods, beverages, and desserts. It has a sweet, floral flavor, but you should use it in moderation.

However, keep in mind that it can overpower the other flavors in the recipe especially if you are using the distilled variety of rose water.

You can also use orange flower water instead of rose water if you prefer orange over rose flavor.

5. Roomer Elderflower Aperitif

Roomer elderflower aperitif is made with elderflowers and herbs. Without preservatives, artificial colors, and flavorings. It has a sweet slightly acidic flavor with hints of nutmeg.

You can use this Roomer Elderflower Aperitif on its own, mixed with soda or tonic water, or in your cocktails. The only bad thing is that it is a little hard to find it because it is made in Belgium.

6. Giffard Fleur de SureauSauvage

This is another elderflower liqueur made with elderflowers. It has golden-yellow color and floral, slightly acidic flavor with hints of lychee, licorice, and saffron.

For its preparation, the elderflowers are hand-picked, dried, and macerated to get a liqueur with unique flavors. You can use it in your favorite cocktails, with quality champagne or a prosecco.

This French elderflower liqueur has won many awards for its quality and is one of the best elderflower liqueurs on the market.

7. JJ Whitley Elderflower Gin

This product is the right choice for you if you want to replace elderflower liqueur with a stronger alcoholic drink.

JJ Whitley elderflower gin is made with botanicals such as cinnamon, elderflower, the fruit of the baobab tree, and cape gooseberries. It has a sweet floral flavor with hints of orange bloom and honey.

You can serve it as a substitute for elderflower liqueur but in small amounts because it contains 38,6% alcohol.

8. Lychee liqueur

Lychee liqueur is made of lychee fruit and has a distinctive soft, sweet, floral flavor. Depending on the brand lychee liqueur can be with different flavors and colors.

So, there are lychee liqueurs with peach, citrus, and guava flavors and light pink color. You can serve it on its own or mixed in cocktails as a substitute for elderflower liqueur.

9. Elderflower lemonade

Elderflower lemonade is a non-alcoholic substitute for elderflower liqueur.

This delicious lemonade includes elderflowers, lemons, water, and honey or maple syrup. You can use sparkling water instead of regular water to make sparkling lemonade.

Elderflower lemonade is a very refreshing drink with a floral flavor that reminds of the flavor of the elderflower liqueur.

10. Homemade elderflower liqueur

It is easy to make elderflower liqueur at home. Just gather the next ingredients and follow the instructions below!

Ingredients:

20-30 fresh or dried elderflowers (without leaves and stems)
1/2 cup of sugar
750ml vodka
1 sliced lemon

Instructions:

Put all the ingredients except the sugar in a jar and seal it. Place the jar in a cold and dark place, and shake it daily.

After 1-2 weeks, strain the liqueur. Dissolve the sugar with a ½ cup of water in a saucepan. Place the saucepan on the stove on medium heat and mix until the sugar is dissolved.

Cool it down and add to the liqueur. Mix well and keep it in the refrigerator.

St. Elder vs St. Germain: What’s The Difference?

St. Elder and St. Germain are both elderflower liqueurs with different flavors and slightly different colors. The first thing you notice is that the bottle of St. Germain has a better design than St. Elder’s bottle and looks more sophisticated.

The second thing is the color of the liqueurs. St. Germain has a golden, yellow color while St.Elders color is similar but a little pale.

However, the most important differences between these two are the flavor and smell. St. Elder smells like grapefruit and alcohol, whereas St.Germain has a harmonious bouquet of different scents mixed. It smells like pear, lychee, and grapefruit.

St. Elder is sweeter and more citrusy than St. Germain whose flavor is a mix of different flavors, with a slightly savory finish. So, St. Elder should be used in drinks calling for more sweetness.

The last difference is the price. St. Germain is more expensive than St. Elder. However, it’s definitely worth the extra cost!

Wrap Up

Elderflower liqueur is a super versatile drink that people use in the preparation of many different cocktails. Its unique flavor will lighten up your favorite cocktail and give it a beautiful flavor.

However, there are other delicious drinks you can use as a substitute for elderflower liqueur. You can use some of the drinks mentioned above and share your results in the comments below!

10 Best Elderflower Liqueur Substitutes