I’m naming this post and this cocktail Last Train to Slovakia, first of all because a close Slovak girlfriend of mine was one of the first to introduce me to elderberry flower syrup, which is a primary ingredient in the following drink recipe. Second of all, she reminds me of lazy summer days, and I created this drink as my farewell to summer on one of the last sunny days of September.

Beautiful photo of Slovakia by Peter Fend'a on Flickr

Elderberry flower syrup, according to my friend, is commonly added to drinking water in Europe to give the water an elegant fragrance and taste. In cocktails, I find that it lends a delicate floral touch to a drink, softer than rosewater or orange blossom water per se.

This past weekend, a friend came over to dinner who doesn’t drink wine. [Ed.: Now, now, dear readers; no need to judge!] I had just bought a bunch of fresh mint and just happened to have elderberry flower syrup in the fridge, so I thought I’d put my bartender’s hat on (do bartenders wear hats?) and mix up something delicious yet non-alcoholic.

My mixed drinks are like my meals: They consist of whatever I happen to have on hand. Luckily for me, I enjoy Canadian rye whisky and usually have vermouth in the kitchen, so on occasion I will take a break from wine in favour of stirring up a fine Manhattan. Last Saturday, however, I had no ice or soda and had to pull a mixologist’s MacGyver. Thankfully, I got good results!

Here’s a drink that’s fairly easy to whip up for entertaining – my recipe is based on a yield of one pitcher – and tastes incredibly refreshing on a hot day. (Feel free to spike it with gin or vodka for anyone who’s not a minor!)

As for food pairing, I suggest something hot, crispy and a little bit spicy so you can keep refilling your glass! I recommend shoestring yam fries with cajun aioli dip, or cha gio, Vietnamese spring rolls, as excuses to quench your thirst.

I had no photo of my own drink but this raspberry mojito by Romy Schneider on Flickr comes pretty close.

Tools

• Pitcher / jug
• Muddler
• Cutting board and knife
• Wooden spoon
• Drinking straws

Ingredients

• 1 cup of fresh mint leaves (not packed down) – no stems!
• 3 tbsp. golden or Demerara sugar
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup fresh raspberries, or 30 ml raspberry syrup
• 1/3 cup elderberry flower syrup
• 1 bottle Perrier or club soda, plus extra for topping up
• Frozen blackberries or berries of choice
• 1 lemon, sliced into wedges

Directions

1. In the pitcher, muddle the mint leaves, golden sugar (the sugar acts as an abrasive) and raspberries (if you are using fresh fruit) into a rough pulp.
2. Add lemon juice, elderberry flower syrup and raspberry syrup (if you did not use fresh raspberries).
3. Mix briefly with wooden spoon until just combined. Pour entire contents of 1 bottle Perrier or equivalent amount of club soda into pitcher. Stir slowly to mix evenly but not lose the bubbles.
4. Do a quick taste test by dipping a straw into the pitcher, covering the top end with your finger, and then sipping on what’s in the straw via the bottom end.
5. Top up the pitcher with additional Perrier or club soda as desired (my preference is for a not-so-sweet drink) and pour into glasses filled with several frozen berries as ice cubes.
6. Alternatively, divide into individual glasses filled with some frozen berries and let your guests top up with soda as they please.
7. Garnish each glass with a wedge of lemon.
8. Serves 4 long drinks or 6 – 8 short ones.