Gin, Elderflower, and Aloe Spritzer
This Gin and Elderflower and Aloe Spritzer cocktail is refreshing, sweet, and mildly tart! This slight take on the classic Greyhound cocktail features gin, for added body and flavor, rather than the traditional vodka. This gin cocktail also features elderflower liqueur, which adds a beautiful sweet floral note that nicely balances the juniper-forward flavors of the gin. The aloe juices adds a sweet-sour quality. Top it off with the sweet-tart flavor of grapefruit juice and some bubbly club soda, and you have yourself one refreshing drink!
Gin vs Vodka
I’m not going to lie, if you don’t like gin, you probably won’t like this cocktail. But if you’re like me and absolutely love gin, then this drink is for you (Gin-haters can substitute it for vodka though)! For those who don’t know, gin is a distilled alcohol that receives its flavor by distilling botanicals – most prominently Juniper Berries. What are juniper berries? A juniper berry is actually a seed that comes from juniper trees – a type of pine tree! This obviously explains why gin tastes so piney! The distillers then add other botanicals to the gin to further flavor it, these could be citrus (my personal favorite), cucumber, coriander, cinnamon, etc. Essentially gin is a naturally flavored vodka. Gin, however, is one of those spirits that you either love or hate, I find. I have loved it from the first moment I tried it – I loved it’s fresh, herbal, almost spicy flavor profile. Others, I know, fall strongly on the other side – absolutely despising it. As with many things, it’s all personal preference!
That being said, if you do not like gin, you can substitute it out with vodka. For those using gin, I find that a gin with citrus notes plays well in this cocktail, as it highlights the citrus from the grapefruit, however a gin with a cucumber background would also be delicious. Feel free to play around!
What is Aloe Juice?
The aloe vera drink that is used in this recipe is referring to the one that is sweetened. You can purchase this juice at most grocery stores, or at Asian grocery stores. The flavor of this juice is very unique, it is refreshing, and nicely sweet and sour, and tastes ‘green’, which pairs quite beautifully with the herbal flavors from the gin! The drink is actually good for you too (minus all the sugar), as it is full of antioxidants and vitamins!
Get the Recipe: Gin, Elderflower, and Aloe Spritzer
Ingredients
- 1 oz Gin
- 1 oz Elderflower Liqueur, such as St Germain
- 1 oz Aloe Vera Drink
- 3 oz Grapefruit Juice
- Soda Water, to top
- Squeeze of Lemon or Lime
- Slices of Grapefruit, to garnish
Instructions
- In a tall highball glass, filled with ice, add the gin, elderflower liquer, aloe juice, and grapefruit juice. Stir well to combine. Top with soda water and a squeeze of lemon/lime juice, then garnish with grapefruit.
