Great Cocktails: Elderflower Martini at The 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).

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.

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!

Also on More Time To Travel

•  The Best of Budapest: The Four Seasons Gresham Palace