Elderflower Wine Spritz: The Floral Summer Sipper You’ll Make on Repeat

There’s something about elderflower that instantly signals warm weather is here. This spritzer pairs crisp white wine with floral elderflower liqueur, a splash of soda water, and a bright squeeze of lemon for a drink that’s light, fragrant, and dangerously easy to sip all afternoon. It comes together in under five minutes with almost no bar skills required. Whether you’re hosting a backyard brunch or just want something pretty in your glass on a Friday night, this is the wine spritzer recipe you’ll keep coming back to.

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Why This Elderflower Wine Spritz Belongs on Your Party Menu

Wine spritzers get a bad reputation for being an afterthought, but this one earns its spot on the menu. The elderflower liqueur brings a delicate floral sweetness that makes even an ordinary bottle of white wine taste special, and the soda water keeps things light instead of syrupy.

It’s also one of the most forgiving cocktails you can serve a crowd. There’s no shaking, no muddling, no precise ratios to fuss over, and it scales up effortlessly for a pitcher or a full drink station. Guests who don’t usually order cocktails tend to gravitate toward it because it reads as elegant without tasting boozy or heavy.

And visually, it’s a showstopper. The pale gold color, the steady stream of bubbles, a floating lemon wheel — it photographs beautifully and looks like something you’d order at a rooftop bar, even though you made it at your kitchen counter.

Once you’ve got your bottle picked out, the ingredient list is refreshingly short, and there’s plenty of room to customize it with what you already have on hand.

Everything You’ll Need

• 4 oz dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 1 oz elderflower liqueur (such as St-Germain)
• 2 oz soda water
• 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
• Lemon wheel, for garnish
• Fresh mint sprig, for garnish
• Ice

Bottle Picks & Easy Swaps

A dry, crisp white wine is the way to go here — something like a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or a light Albariño. You want acidity and minerality, not oak or heavy fruit, so it doesn’t compete with the elderflower. Avoid anything overly sweet like a Moscato, since the liqueur already brings plenty of sweetness on its own.

If you don’t have elderflower liqueur, elderflower cordial or syrup works as a non-alcoholic swap for the floral note, though you’ll lose a bit of the depth and warmth the liqueur adds. Out of soda water? Sparkling white wine or a dry Prosecco makes a fun, extra-bubbly substitute — just cut the still wine back slightly so the drink doesn’t get diluted or top-heavy on alcohol.

For a fully non-alcoholic version, swap the wine for a dealcoholized white wine and use elderflower cordial in place of the liqueur — you’ll still get that same pretty, floral spritz.

Bar Tools You’ll Want

None of this requires fancy equipment, but a few basics make it faster and more consistent.

• A jigger for measuring the wine, liqueur, and lemon juice precisely, so every glass tastes the same.
• Wine glasses or stemless tumblers for serving.
• A citrus juicer or reamer if you’re squeezing lemon juice fresh, which you should — bottled juice flattens the flavor.
• If you’re setting up a full home bar or building out your collection, this 6-piece cocktail shaker set covers the jigger, muddler, and mixing spoon you’ll want for other drinks beyond this one.

Once everything is prepped, this cocktail comes together in just a few minutes.

Let’s Mix It Up

1. Fill your glass with ice: Use a wine glass or tumbler and fill it about three-quarters full.
2. Add the wine and elderflower liqueur: Pour in the 4 oz of white wine and 1 oz of elderflower liqueur.
3. Add the lemon juice: Squeeze in the 1/2 oz of fresh lemon juice.
4. Top with soda water: Pour in the 2 oz of soda water gently to preserve the bubbles.
5. Stir gently: Give it one or two light stirs — just enough to combine without knocking out the fizz.
6. Garnish and serve: Add a lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint, then serve immediately.

Host’s Tips for the Best Elderflower Wine Spritz

• Chill your wine, liqueur, and soda water ahead of time so the drink stays cold without needing a ton of ice, which can water it down.
• Pour the soda water in last and stir minimally to keep the drink as bubbly as possible.
• Use large ice cubes rather than small ones — they melt slower and won’t dilute the spritz as quickly.
• If you’re batching for a group, keep the soda water separate until serving so the bubbles don’t go flat sitting in a pitcher.
• A thin cucumber ribbon makes a beautiful alternative garnish if you want to switch things up from the classic lemon and mint.

Easy Ways to Make It Your Own

Swap the still white wine for a dry rosé for a slightly fruitier, pink-hued version that’s perfect for a bridal shower or garden party. Add a few muddled raspberries or blackberries at the bottom of the glass before building the drink for a fruit-forward twist. For a lighter, lower-proof pour, cut the wine down to 3 oz and add an extra ounce of soda water.

Want it boozier? A splash of gin adds a botanical backbone that plays nicely with the elderflower. And for a fully alcohol-free take, use dealcoholized wine and elderflower cordial as noted above — nobody will guess it’s a mocktail.

Perfect Occasions & What to Serve Alongside

This spritzer fits right in at brunches, bridal or baby showers, garden parties, and lazy summer evenings on the patio. It’s also an easy pick for a low-key happy hour when you want something that feels a little more special than wine on its own.

Pair it with light bites like a cheese and charcuterie board, a citrusy shrimp salad, or fresh bruschetta. It also plays well alongside pastries and fruit at a daytime gathering, since the floral sweetness echoes berries and stone fruit nicely.

Make-Ahead & Serving Notes

You can pre-mix the wine, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice in a pitcher and refrigerate it for up to a few hours before your event. Hold off on the soda water until right before serving so the drink stays fizzy and doesn’t dilute. When you’re ready to pour, fill glasses with ice, add the pre-mixed base, top with soda water, stir briefly, and garnish.

Leftover base (without the soda water) keeps in the fridge for up to two days, tightly covered.

Still have a question? Here are a few of the most common ones readers ask before making this elderflower wine spritz.

FAQs

What does elderflower liqueur taste like?

Elderflower liqueur has a delicate, floral sweetness with light notes of pear and citrus. It’s less intense than it sounds — more of a subtle perfume than an overpowering flavor, which is why it pairs so well with crisp white wine.

Can I make this spritz ahead of time for a party?

Yes, mix the wine, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice ahead and refrigerate. Just add the soda water and ice right before serving so the drink stays bubbly instead of going flat.

What’s the best wine for a wine spritzer?

A dry, crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Albariño works best. Steer clear of sweeter wines since the elderflower liqueur already adds sweetness on its own.

Is there a non-alcoholic version of this drink?

Yes, use a dealcoholized white wine along with elderflower cordial or syrup instead of the liqueur. You’ll still get the same floral, bubbly spritz without the alcohol.

Can I make this in a big batch for a crowd?

Definitely. Multiply the wine, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice by your guest count and mix in a large pitcher, but leave the soda water out until you’re ready to serve individual glasses so it doesn’t lose its fizz.

What can I use instead of elderflower liqueur?

Elderflower cordial or syrup is the closest substitute and works well for a lighter, non-alcoholic version. Just note that you’ll lose a bit of the depth the liqueur brings, so you may want to add a touch more to taste.

More Cocktails Worth Mixing

More cocktails worth mixing:

• Browse more white wine cocktail ideas
• Try the Classic White Wine Spritzer
• Try the Strawberry Sauvignon Blanc Spritzer
• Try the White Wine Sangria