Midsummer Cocktail

June 10, 2015 Todd

No party is complete without cocktails. That is, at least not an HonestlyYUM party! So that’s exactly what I have for you today – the perfect cocktail to celebrate Midsummer. When coming up with a recipe, it was important for me to embrace the flavors and ingredients of a traditional Northern European Midsummer celebration. Aquavit instantly came to mind. I’ve been dying to use aquavit in a cocktail ever since chatting with Molly Yeh about her wedding drinks. I used an aquavit that had warm flavors of anise and caraway. Naturally I also mixed in some sherry for nuttiness, and elderflower liqueur for floral and citrus notes. The resulting cocktail is intricate, well-balanced, and oh-so-elegant. Let the celebration begin!

MIDSUMMER COCKTAIL

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz aquavit

3/4 oz manzanilla sherry

1/4 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur

twist of lemon for garnish (optional)

Directions:

Add all your ingredients to a mixing glass full of ice, and stir for 30-40 seconds.

Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

(images by HonestlyYUM; styled by Spotted SF)

Conversation

I am blow away by just how pretty these cocktails are. I love elderflower and I think these would make such perfect summer drinks. Can’t wait for the weather to turn warm again so I can make them for a garden party.

Sounds great! I love all those ingredients? What aquavit do you suggest for this?

I enjoy reading your atricle!!! Thanks a lot!!

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Your photography is absolutely inspiring – I have creeped around on a lot of your posts and thought I’d better comment 🙂

Those photos are so beautiful! It looks magical 🙂

Oh my gosh, this is the dreamiest cocktail ever!!!! Love the garnish of baby’s breath! Perfection.

I am so intrigued by the combination of flavors here. I love elderflower anything and am having a moment with sherry for cooking (I have yet to mix it into a drink, though!). I don’t have any Aquavit in my liquor cabinet, but I’m always looking for an excuse to add new things! Also, the styling here is killing me, so lovely!

Thank you Cindy!! Duuude, you have to mix sherry in a cocktail. It’s totally my favorite mixer at the moment. So nutty! Let me know if you need any aquavit recommendations. It’s some pretty serious stuff, but good complexity and great for cocktails.

The presentation of this cocktail is absolutely stunning! I’d drink 10 just because they’re so pretty!

I’m right there with ya, Bre! Thank you so so SO much.

Well isn’t she lovely??? Baby’s breath never looked better.

Thanks Nicole! Everything looks better when draped around a cocktail 😉

Your pictures SLAY ME! So gorgeous! This is perfection.

Thank you Becky [blush] … 😉

These photos are stunning to say the least!!! Such a perfect setting!

Thanks Stephanie!! Yeah, it was a blast to shoot. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Second entry in, I’m pretty sure I’m going to use the entire Midsummer menu for my and my husband’s July birthday celebration. This is all simply breathtaking. Thank you for sharing.