Elderflower in Bloom

My new favorite spirit: St. Germain. This French liqueur made with elderflower picked from the Alps popped up my radar last fall, when I used its elegant pale blue and gold patterned ad campaign to inspire a Wedding Style story for The Knot (see above, and yes, I find inspiration for my day job in alcoholic beverages, go figure). Since then, St. Germain seems to be everywhere, including at-home liquor cabinets (mine included) and behind the bar all over NYC. Last night, at Barmarché in NoLiTa I sipped The Take Off: a martini made of Plymouth Gin, St. Germain, Luxardo maraschino liqueur (another up-and-coming spirit), lemon juice, grapefruit, and an orange twist. For a refreshing summer sipper, try mixing up this concoction at home, courtesy of the brothers von Tobel:

The von Tobel
Equal parts St. Germain and vodka
Juice of 1/2 lime
5 raspberries
5 blackberries
1/2 strawberry

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice. Strain into a collins glass, and top with club soda. Finish off with a floater of St. Germain.