The Sunflower

The Sunflower is light, crisp, and citrus-forward with a floral touch that keeps things interesting. It’s a mix of gin, elderflower liqueur, orange liqueur, and lemon juice bright and refreshing without being too sharp. The elderflower gives it a soft floral note that plays well with the citrus, making it balanced and fresh. It’s a great choice for gin lovers or anyone looking for something simple with a bit of charm.

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Tasting Notes

The Sunflower is crisp, floral, and a little citrusy. Gin gives it a dry, botanical base, while Cointreau brings in orange flavor without being overly sweet. The elderflower liqueur softens the mix with a light floral note, and lemon juice adds a fresh, tart finish that ties it all together. It’s well-balanced and easy to drink, with a clean taste and just the right amount of bite. Nothing about it is too strong or too sweet it’s a light, polished drink that works for people who want something bright and smooth without a lot of extras.

Equipment and Glassware

To make this drink, you’ll need a cocktail shaker and a strainer. Shake it with ice to chill and blend everything properly. A jigger helps you measure out each pour accurately, especially since this is a spirit-forward drink. Use a coupe or small martini glass to serve it something with a stem to keep it cold. Chill the glass ahead of time if you can. No garnish is required, but a lemon twist or edible flower looks nice and fits the name without overcomplicating the pour.

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz gin
• 0.75 oz Cointreau
• 0.75 oz elderflower liqueur
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• Lemon wheel, for garnish

Instructions

• Add gin, Cointreau, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice to a shaker filled with crushed ice.
• Shake for about 10–15 seconds, until the drink is well chilled.
• Strain into a chilled glass.
• Garnish with lemon wheel.

Pro Tips

• Use fresh lemon juice for the cleanest flavor.
• Chill your glass before pouring to keep the drink colder longer.
• Shake hard enough to blend and chill without over-diluting.
• Try a floral gin to play up the elderflower notes.
• A lemon twist adds aroma without extra ingredients.
• Keep Cointreau and elderflower liqueur in the fridge if making more than one.
• Taste before serving adjust lemon juice if needed.
• Don’t skip the shake it brings everything into balance.

When to Serve

The Sunflower works well as a pre-dinner drink, at a spring or summer gathering, or anytime you want something that feels a little more polished but not too serious. It’s light enough for warm weather, floral enough for brunch, and crisp enough for evening cocktails. Because it’s spirit-forward without being too strong, it fits a range of moods easy to sip, but with a little structure. Serve it when you want something refreshing and simple, but with a little extra charm.

Which Liquor Brands to Choose

Gin:

• Bombay Sapphire (botanical and smooth)
• Hendrick’s (adds subtle floral notes)
• Tanqueray (classic and dry)

Cointreau:

• Cointreau (recommended, no substitutions needed)

Elderflower Liqueur:

• St-Germain (floral and well-balanced)
• Thatcher’s Elderflower (light and slightly less sweet)

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• Aperol Negroni Sour
• Sour Cherry Gin Smash
• Honeydew Basil Spritz
• Blue Long Island Iced Tea
• Cherry Long Island Iced Tea