FOOD & WINE

Great Cocktails: Elderflower Martini at The Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Published on: November 19, 2013 | Last Updated on May 8, 2022
Ingredients for the Elderflower Martini (Credit: Four Seasons Gresham Palace)

Sampling regional wines, spirits and cocktails while traveling is as interesting as tasting new foods and recipes. I’ve enjoyed sipping on Pisco Sours in Peru, Tequila and Tecate in Mexico, and Kir Royales in France.

My most recent addiction: When we recently visited Budapest, I fell in love with the Signature Elderflower Martini served at the Lobby Bar at The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace.

White-blossomed elder shrubs grow wild in many countries in central and eastern Europe including Hungary, Austria and Germany although the most famous liqueur made with them, St. Germain, hails from Dijon, France. I have grown quite fond in recent years of this sweet, citrus-y taste of this artisanal liqueur, which is a great addition to a flute of champagne or Prosecco (using a 1:5 ratio).

St. Germain (Credit: Cooper Spirits)

St. Germain (Credit: Cooper Spirits)

However, the drink at The Four Seasons Gresham Palace relies on three key local ingredients, all made from elderflowers: elderflower syrup, elderflower honey and elderflower balsamic vinegar.

Gabor Szoni making my drink

Gabor Szoni making my drink

Elderflower Martini at The Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Elderflower Martini at The Four Seasons Gresham Palace

Below is Bar Manager Gabor Szonyi’s recipe for the hotel’s Signature Elderflower Martini, which I hope to replicate if I can find the ingredients back home. If not, I’ll just have to return to the elegant Lobby Bar in Budapest.


ELDERFLOWER MARTINI RECIPE FROM THE FOUR SEASONS GRESHAM PALACE

Ingredients:

– 5cl Grey Goose Vodka
– 2cl Homemade Elderflower Essence (or syrup)
– 2cl Fresh Lime Juice
– 1cl Elderflower Honey
– 2-3 drops of Elderflower Balsamico

Preparation:

Mix and shake the first four ingredients in a bar shaker and strain it into a chilled Martini Glass. Finally, pour 2-3 drops of the Balsamico on the top of the drink and serve it immediately. Enjoy!

Thanks for sharing your recipe with the readers of More Time To Travel, Gabor!


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  • Reply
    Johanna
    November 22, 2013 at 12:23 am

    Ohhh this looks wonderful. Just what I could do with right now with lunch if you please! It looks very grown up and sophisticated at the Gresham Palace!

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      November 22, 2013 at 8:49 am

      Drinks always taste better in certain settings but this one is definitely worth trying at home:-) Thanks for visiting, Johanna!

  • Reply
    Sheryl
    November 24, 2013 at 8:19 pm

    Yum. Must try this one, even if it will be at home.

  • Reply
    Laura E. Kelly
    November 25, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    I almost had an elderberry martini last night at P.J. Clarke’s by Lincoln Center! It caught my eye because it was named Kelly (don’t ask me why). It sounded absolutely delicious but everyone else was having wine and beer so I went with the crowd. Now reading your write-up I so wish I’d tried it!

    • Reply
      Irene S. Levine
      November 26, 2013 at 7:35 am

      Next time we get together, I’ll ask Jerry to make us one:-)

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