After years of experimenting with mocktail recipes, I've finally perfected this Elderflower Mojito Mocktail that everyone keeps requesting. The first time I made it for a summer garden party, my friends couldn't believe it was non-alcoholic. This drink combines the delicate sweetness of elderflower with zesty lime and fresh mint for a refreshing experience that's both sophisticated and simple to make.
What I love most is that it comes together in just 5 minutes using ingredients you can easily find. Whether you're hosting a special celebration or just want to elevate your everyday refreshment, this mocktail brings all the elegance of a craft cocktail without any alcohol.
Why I Love This
- Effortlessly Elegant - The beautiful combination of green mint and white elderflower creates a visually stunning drink that's perfect for special occasions like weddings, baby showers, or elegant dinner parties.
- Quick & Simple - Ready in just 5 minutes with minimal ingredients and no special equipment required.
- Versatile & Customizable - Easily adjust sweetness, tartness, and fizz levels to suit your personal taste preferences.
- Zero Mess Preparation - Made directly in your serving glass, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your drink.
- Health-Conscious Option - Can be made with kombucha for added probiotic benefits and less sugar than typical mocktails.
- Seasonal & Fresh - Celebrates the bright flavors of spring and summer with seasonal ingredients.
- Perfect for Scaling - Easily doubled or tripled for entertaining, or prepared as a batch cocktail for parties.
Ingredients
I've carefully selected these ingredients to create the perfect balance in every sip. The floral sweetness of elderflower creates a sophisticated base, while fresh lime adds a bright tanginess that keeps the drink from being too sweet. Mint brings a cooling freshness that makes this mocktail especially refreshing on warm days.
The fizzy soda water lightens everything up, while the optional apple cider vinegar adds that subtle complexity you'd normally get from alcohol. Together, these simple ingredients create a drink that's much more impressive than the sum of its parts.
- 1 small lime (cut into small pieces, or half a large lime) - Provides essential acidity that balances the sweetness of the elderflower
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves - Creates aromatic freshness and visual appeal
- 1 oz (30ml) elderflower cordial or syrup - The star ingredient that provides floral sweetness
- 1 cup soda water or plain kombucha - Adds refreshing effervescence and lightness
- 1 oz (30ml) non-alcoholic rum OR splash of apple cider vinegar (optional) - Adds complexity and that "bite" typically provided by alcohol
- Ice cubes - For cooling and dilution
- Garnish options: Extra mint sprigs, edible flowers, lime wheels or wedges
Equipment
- Muddler - Used to gently crush the lime and mint, releasing essential oils and juices. If you don't have one, the handle end of a wooden spoon works well.
- Tall Glass - A highball or collins glass (12-16 oz) is ideal for showcasing the beautiful layers and colors of this mocktail.
- Measuring Jigger - For precise measurements of elderflower syrup/cordial (1 oz = 30ml).
- Bar Spoon or Long Spoon - For gentle stirring to maintain carbonation.
- Knife and Cutting Board - For preparing lime and garnishes.
- Ice Tray/Ice - Essential for keeping the drink refreshingly cold.
How To Make
- Cut your lime into small pieces and place them in your glass. Press firmly with a muddler (or the handle of a wooden spoon) until the juice is released. Gently clap the mint leaves between your palms to release their aroma, add them to the glass, and press down very gently once or twice.
- Fill your glass with ice, then pour in the elderflower cordial or syrup. If using, add the non-alcoholic rum or just a small splash of apple cider vinegar.
- Top with cold soda water or kombucha, and stir gently from bottom to top. Add a fresh mint sprig and lime wheel as garnish, then serve immediately while fizzy and cold.
Substitutions
- Lime substitute - If fresh limes are expensive or unavailable, use ½ to 1 oz (15-30ml) of bottled lime juice, or substitute with lemon for a slightly different but still delicious flavor profile.
- Elderflower alternatives - If you can't find elderflower cordial or syrup, try using ½ oz of non-alcoholic elderflower water with ½ oz simple syrup, or substitute with jasmine syrup or honey syrup with a drop of rose water.
- Mint alternatives - Basil makes an excellent substitute for mint, offering a different but complementary herbal note.
- Soda water alternatives - Besides plain kombucha, you can use tonic water (adds quinine bitterness), ginger ale (adds sweetness and spice), or coconut water (adds natural sweetness and electrolytes).
- Sweetness adjustments - For a less sweet version, use half the elderflower syrup and add more lime; for a sweeter version, add a touch of honey.
- Non-alcoholic spirit alternatives - Besides non-alcoholic rum, you can try non-alcoholic gin which pairs beautifully with elderflower, or simply omit.
Pro Tips
Chill your glass - Place your serving glass in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before making your mocktail for an extra-cold, refreshing drink that stays colder longer.
Mint handling technique - Never chop or tear mint leaves as this releases bitter compounds. Always clap and gently muddle.
Ice matters - Use large ice cubes which melt more slowly than small ones, preventing dilution.
Lime preparation secret - Roll your lime firmly on the counter before cutting to release more juice.
Layering technique - Pour the soda water slowly over the back of a spoon for a beautiful layered effect.
Sugar rim option - For an elegant presentation, wet the rim of your glass with lime juice and dip in fine sugar.
Garnish timing - Add mint garnish right before serving to maintain its fresh appearance.
FAQ
Elderflower comes from the elder tree (Sambucus nigra), which produces small, white, fragrant flowers in late spring/early summer. These flowers are harvested to make cordials, syrups, and other culinary ingredients. They have a subtle, honey-like sweetness with floral and slightly citrus notes.
Elderflower itself is completely non-alcoholic. However, elderflower products come in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. For this mocktail, ensure you're using non-alcoholic elderflower cordial or syrup, not elderflower liqueur like St. Germain which contains alcohol.
Yes! Homemade elderflower cordial is delicious and allows you to control the sweetness. To make it, steep fresh elderflowers with sugar, water, lemon slices, and citric acid for 24-48 hours, then strain and bottle.
Properly bottled homemade elderflower cordial will last 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays.
You can prepare the lime and mint base up to 4 hours ahead, but add ice, elderflower syrup, and carbonated ingredients just before serving to maintain freshness and fizz.
Yes, this mocktail is suitable for children when made without apple cider vinegar. Consider reducing the elderflower syrup slightly for younger palates.
Absolutely! Simply add 1.5 oz (45ml) of white rum, vodka, or gin to create an alcoholic version.
Look for edible flowers at specialty grocery stores, farmers markets, or grow your own. Common edible flowers include pansies, violets, and nasturtiums. Always verify flowers are food-grade and haven't been treated with pesticides.
Yes, this mocktail is vegan-friendly as written.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Refreshing Elderflower Mojito Mocktail
Ingredients
- 1 small lime cut into small pieces, or half a large lime - Provides essential acidity that balances the sweetness of the elderflower
- 8-10 fresh mint leaves - Creates aromatic freshness and visual appeal
- 1 oz 30ml elderflower cordial or syrup - The star ingredient that provides floral sweetness
- 1 cup soda water or plain kombucha - Adds refreshing effervescence and lightness
- 1 oz 30ml non-alcoholic rum OR splash of apple cider vinegar (optional) - Adds complexity and that "bite" typically provided by alcohol
- Ice cubes - For cooling and dilution
- Garnish options: Extra mint sprigs edible flowers, lime wheels or wedges
Instructions
- Cut your lime into small pieces and place them in your glass. Press firmly with a muddler (or the handle of a wooden spoon) until the juice is released. Gently clap the mint leaves between your palms to release their aroma, add them to the glass, and press down very gently once or twice.
- Fill your glass with ice, then pour in the elderflower cordial or syrup. If using, add the non-alcoholic rum or just a small splash of apple cider vinegar.
- Top with cold soda water or kombucha, and stir gently from bottom to top. Add a fresh mint sprig and lime wheel as garnish, then serve immediately while fizzy and cold.
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