Giffard Elderflower is a non-alcoholic liqueur made in France from hand-picked elderflowers macerated in white wine vinegar, using a process inspired by Giffard’s traditional liqueur-making. It has the lush floral character you want from elderflower, but with enough acidity and herbal complexity to keep it from drinking like a simple syrup.
Expect elderflower and lychee up front, with rose, saffron, and a subtle wormwood note underneath. It’s fragrant and gently sweet, with a little tartness that gives cocktails structure and keeps all those florals in check.
Why We Love It
Elderflower can go sugary very quickly, and this doesn’t. Giffard gives you that beautiful, unmistakable elderflower perfume with more acidity, depth, and restraint than you get from an elderflower syrup. It’s especially useful behind the bar because a small pour can completely change a drink without taking it over.
How to Drink Giffard Elderflower
For an easy serve, pour Giffard Elderflower over ice with tonic and a squeeze of fresh lemon. It’s also lovely with cucumber and sparkling water, added to a non-alcoholic G&T, or used to bring a floral lift to sparkling wine.
Cheeky & Dry Signature Serve — Elderflower Hugo Spritz: 1½ oz Giffard Elderflower, 3 oz dry non-alcoholic sparkling wine, 1 oz sparkling water, 4–5 fresh mint leaves, and 2 lime wedges. Gently muddle the mint and lime in the bottom of the glass, add plenty of ice and Giffard Elderflower, then top with sparkling wine and sparkling water. Give it a gentle stir and garnish with fresh mint and lime.
Pair it with: goat cheese crostini with fresh peas and mint, lemony grilled shrimp, cucumber salad with sesame and herbs, melon with fresh basil, or strawberry shortcake with barely sweetened cream.
Tasting Notes
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Nose: Fresh elderflower, lychee, and delicate rose
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Palate: Fragrant florals, gentle sweetness, saffron, and a subtle herbal tartness
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Finish: Clean and lightly bitter with a lingering floral note
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Giffard Elderflower non-alcoholic?
- Yes — Giffard Elderflower is a non-alcoholic liqueur with less than 0.5% ABV, making it a great alcohol-free alternative to elderflower liqueurs like St-Germain.
- What does Giffard Elderflower taste like?
- Fragrant and floral with elderflower and lychee up front, followed by rose, saffron, and a subtle wormwood bitterness. It’s gently sweet with enough acidity and complexity to work well in cocktails.
- How is it different from elderflower syrup?
- Giffard Elderflower has significantly more depth and complexity than a standard elderflower syrup — more acidity, herbal notes, and restraint. It’s designed for cocktails, not just sweetening drinks.
- Who makes it?
- Giffard, a French liqueur house founded in 1885, known for their expertise in building concentrated, cocktail-ready flavors.
- How should I use it in cocktails?
- A small pour goes a long way. Try it with tonic and lemon, in a non-alcoholic spritz, or as a floral modifier in more complex cocktails. It pairs especially well with citrus, cucumber, mint, and sparkling wine.
