5 to Try: St. Germain Elderflower
Updated: September 14, 2009
With all the recent buzz that local Philadelphia restaurants are spreading about fresh ingredients, supporting farmers and working in tandem with nature, it's no surprise that the hottest new liquor to be poured around town comes from a flower. The spirit is called St. Germain Elderflower and it's distilled from flora that grows in the Alps. While the flower's obviously been around for awhile, the French St. Germain company is the first to figure out how to profit off it in a way that will get people buzzed. It tastes tart, floral and sweet, and at just 40 proof and made in small batches, it's a favorite for bartenders who like to tout their artisanal drink-mixing cred.
5 to Try
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JAMES
Read Reviews824 S 8th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (map)
You can taste an entire pasture in your mouth (minus the manure) with a sip of Green Acres. In it you can find growing St. Germain, rum, cucumber, basil and mint bitters. Just let your server know if you spot any actual grass. That’s not garnish, that’s a mistake.
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APO
Read Reviews102 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (map)
You know the elderflower has medicinal properties when it turns up on the menu at APO, whose bartenders mix “elixirs,” not drinks. The flora brings its soothing properties to APO’s Immunity Idol, along with such other venerable remedies as locally invented Hendricks gin, orange bitters, Echinacea, hawthorn root and elderberry liniments. Don’t worry what those are. Just drink it. You’ll feel better, we promise.
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Noble: An American Cookery
Write a review2025 Sansom St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (map)
Although this locavore’s haven concentrates decidedly on American wines, beers and dishes, the French liqueur bares its tête in The Alaska Man’s Luck, an aperitif/digestif that combines St. Germain, pisco, aquavit, vermouth and honey. It’s served on the rocks and tastes grassy and floral, pairing well with acidic appetizers and fish entrees. We suppose that if something’s got Alaska in its name, that’s American enough.
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Snackbar
Read Reviews253 S 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (map)
It doesn’t get much more Français than The Montparnasse, a concoction named after a once-Bohemian Parisian enclave that lured artists Picasso, Breton, Giacometti to do what they did best: talk and drink. The Montparnasse that fits into a glass is built from Calvados, St. Germain and sauvingnon blanc, and although it wasn’t invented back in the ex-pat days, we’re sure these guys would have consumed copious amounts of it. Why not? These are the folks who made absinthe legendary.
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Zahav
Read Reviews237 St. James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (map)
France may be far from Israel but this Middle Eastern dining emporium sources from all over the world to mix the most earthy cocktails around. It figures, then that the elderflower would make an appearance in the French play-on-words drink the Saz-arak. Say l’chaim and chin-chin as you bottom’s up the mix of St. Germain, bourbon, lemon and Arak, a licorice flavored Israeli liqueur.
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