Even though it’s not summer yet (and it won’t be for nearly another month!), my food and drink brain has been all summer, all the time. Maybe it’s because this month has been rather dreary and the wet winter seemed to last forever, or maybe I’m just ready to feel the sun on my face whilst sharing cocktails on the patio. Probably all of those things, actually.
This cocktail is a riff on a classic Tom Collins-minus the cherry, plus sweet floral notes from fragrant elderflower and violet liqueurs. I would even call this drink feminine, not because it’s girly and cloying, but because it’s lush, just sweet, and effervescent but still manages to pack a punch.
Even though it’s not official, the unofficial start of summer is this weekend! With Memorial Day celebrations about to be in full swing, I’ve teamed up with a mega-group of 50+ bloggers to bring you all the inspiration you need to throw the best bash–including this bright cocktail. See all the recipes for The Great Blogger BBQ below.
Korean BBQ Tofu Sliders with Kimchi Slaw by Hello Little Home
Corn, Black Bean, and Feta Dip by Lizzy is Dizzy
Crab, Bacon & Guacamole Crostinis by That Square Plate
Blackberry Gin Slush by The Speckled Palate
Homemade Lemonade by Winstead Wandering
Blood Orange Mocktail by Body Rebooted
Fleur Collins Cocktail by Hungry Girl por Vida
Fourth of July Sparkler by Mixplorology
Black Stripe Cold Rum Cocktail by Honey and Birch
Fresh Watermelon Mojito by Twin Stripe
Mint Hibiscus Lemonade by The Little Epicurean
Wine Slushy by Living Well Kitchen
Basil Gin Lemonade by Glisten and Grace
Salt Plate Shrimp by The Mexitalian
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burgers by Simple and Savory
Roasted Vegetable Grilled Pizza with Garlic Herb Oil by Ciao Chow Bambina
Memphis Style Pulled Pork by Two Places at Once
Balsamic & Honey Chicken Skewers with Strawberry-Kiwi Salsa by No Spoon Necessary
Amazing Basic Spice Rub for Grilling by An Oregon Cottage
Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs by PasadenaDaisy
Smoked Porchetta Pork Loin by Tasty Ever After
Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork by Appeasing a Food Geek
Peach Barbecue Sauce by The Beach House Kitchen
Tuna Stuffed Sweet Peppers by SugarLoveSpices
Herb Marinated Steak Gyros Plates with Tomato-Onion Salad and Green Tahini Sauce by Feed Me Phoebe
Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad by Domesticate ME!
Sweet & Sour Chicken Kebabs by Tastefully Frugal
Caprese Pasta Salad by Club Narwhal
Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad by Two Sisters Kitchens
Coconut Milk Mac & Cheese by A Little Gathering
Cherry Quinoa Salad by Food Lovin Family
Cheddar, Corn and Bacon Potato Salad by Family Food on the Table
Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad by Lauren Caris Cooks
Green Goddess Potato Salad by Love & Flour
Red White & Blue Watergate Salad by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Zesty Potato Skewers by Pamela Salzman
Quinoa Tabouli by A Fork’s Tale
Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake by Feast + West
Strawberry Beer Floats by bethcakes
Cherry Cheesecake Dessert by The Little Blonde Baker
Light Berry Angel Food Cake by The Creative Bite
Lemon Cream Tarts with Berries by Girl Heart Food
Fresh Strawberry Muffins by Spiced
Lemon Pie Sundae by Flavours & Frosting
Strawberry Lemon Shortcakes by Dash of Herbs
Grasshopper Pie by 2 Cookin’ Mamas
Berry Mango Smoothie Pops by HÄLSA Nutrition
Mixed Berry Vanilla Bean Cake by Cake ‘n Knife
No Churn Cookies and Cream Strawberry Ice Cream by The Secret Ingredient Is
Coconut Blueberry & Vodka Ice Pops by Nik Snacks
Strawberry Key Lime Margarita Greek Yogurt Ice Pops by Beer Girl Cooks
Cherry & Rhubarb Tart by Crepes of Wrath
- 2 ounces lemon juice
- 1 to 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce St. Germain
- ½ ounce Creme de Violette
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- ice
- soda water
- Combine the lemon juice, gin, St. Germain, Creme de Violette, and simple syrup in a mixing glass and stir to combine. Fill a cocktail glass with ice and pour over the mixture. Top with soda.
*Simple syrup is a 1:1 ratio of water and sugar. Just mix both in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir to dissolve the sugar and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, pour into a heatproof jar to cool, and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Those are the PRETTIEST glasses and I love that sweet flower. Looks so refreshing!
The glasses may have inspired the drink, ha! Thanks, Amy!!
Love the glasses! Can I ask where they’re from!?
These are from Anthropologie! They come in several colors.
This cocktail is beautiful! I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you!!
Yep, I am SO with you! I can’t get summer off my mind and I want all the summery things NOW! This drink is so gorgeous and sounds awesome!!
Brain twins!
This is the most beautiful cocktail, Cindy! I want! Thank you so much for participating in the Great Blogger BBQ! 🙂
Thank YOU, Susannah!
Oooooh girl! Those glasses. That marble board. I’m obsessed! Also this drink sounds divine. Can’t wait to try! 🙂 Happy #greatbloggerBBQ!
Ha! I love that what makes is girly is still that it packs a punch. The floral notes sound just perfect!
Omg, you’re so good at cranking out perfect and refreshing drink combinations Girl! I love this new one!
SO BEAUTIFUL!!! These colors are lovely. And I want to try this at the next summer party over here in Indy! Will show to all the friends and make it happen hehe
Beautiful drink! Love the little flowers!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
You are the reigning queen of pretty cocktails. These sound amazing too!
Sounds amazing and I love the glasses! May I ask where you got them?
I have never had a Tom Collins Cocktail. This version looks amazing! I love the idea of the floral notes. I can’t wait to try this.
Thank you for sharing this lovely cocktail! I made this for a get together last night and it was a hit! I think the ingredients list is missing the simple syrup, though. I’m assuming it’s the 1 ounce above the ice? Also, any tips for getting the drinks to layer so beautifully with the violette on the bottom? Any tips for this newbie bartender are greatly welcomed =D
Thanks for catching that, Jaime! I’ve corrected it!. To get the drink layered I just poured everything over ice except the soda, then added that as gently as possible.
Love those glasses and the fresh flowers! So pretty!
Thanks, Eden!