8 St. Germain Substitutes

St. Germain is a popular elderflower liqueur that has become a staple in many cocktails. Its sweet, floral flavor adds a unique touch to any drink, but it can be expensive and hard to find. If you’re looking for a substitute for St. Germain, there are plenty of options available that offer similar flavor and complexity to the floral elderflower liqueur.

Understanding St. Germain is crucial to finding a suitable substitute. St. Germain is a French liqueur made from fresh, wild elderflowers that are handpicked once a year. It has a sweet, floral taste with notes of pear, peach, and grapefruit. The liqueur has a light and refreshing taste with a subtle sweetness that is not overpowering. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of cocktails, including the popular St. Germain Spritz.

However, due to its limited availability and high price point, many people are looking for alternatives. When it comes to substituting St. Germain, there are two main categories of substitutes: Elderflower Substitutes and Non-Elderflower Substitutes.

Elderflower Syrup

Elderflower substitutes are the most obvious choice when looking to replace St. Germain. Some popular options include Elderflower Syrup or Elderflower Cordial. Elderflower Syrup and Cordial are non-alcoholic substitutes that can be used in equal amounts as St. Germain. Keep in mind that a syrup might be sweeter than St. Germain, so you may want to adjust your measurements for sweetness.

JJ Whitley Elderflower Gin

JJ Whitley Elderflower Gin is an alcoholic substitute that can be used in cocktails in place of St Germain. This gin has a strong elderflower taste, but keep in mind that it is gin and not liqueur, so it has a higher ABV.

Other Elderflower Liqueurs

St. Elder is another popular elderflower liqueur that is often used as a substitute for St. Germain. It has a similar flavor profile and can be used in equal amounts in cocktails. Giffard Fleur de Sureau Sauvage is another elderflower liqueur that can be used as a substitute for St. Germain. It has a slightly different flavor profile but can still be used in cocktails in place of St. Germain.

Violet Liqueur

If you’re looking for a non-elderflower substitute for St. Germain, there are a few options to consider. Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes is a violet liqueur that can be used in place of St. Germain in cocktails. It has a floral flavor profile and can add a unique twist to cocktails.

Lychee Liqueur

Lychee Liqueur is another non-elderflower substitute that can be used in place of St. Germain. It has a sweet, fruity flavor and can be used in equal amounts in cocktails, although it will provide a different flavor profile that is less floral.

Roomer Elderflower Aperitif

Roomer Elderflower Aperitif is a Belgian aperitif that can be used as a substitute for St. Germain. It has a similar flavor profile and can be used in cocktails in place of St. Germain.

Koval Jasmine Liqueur

Koval Jasmine Liqueur is another non-elderflower substitute that can be used in cocktails in place of St. Germain. Koval Jasmine Liqueur has a floral flavor profile.

Fruitlab Hibiscus Liqueur

Fruitlab Hibiscus Liqueur has a fruity, tart flavor profile. It’s made with hibiscus flowers instead of elderflower, so it does not have the same exact flavor, but it still offers a floral alternative to St. Germain.