French Blonde co*cktail Recipe (2024)

Published: Feb 11, 2024 by Melissa · This post contains links that pay me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

If you’re in the mood for a drink that’s as elegant as it is refreshing, look no further than this citrusy andfloral French Blonde co*cktail recipe. This chic andelegant drinkis a harmonious blend of smooth gin, fragrant elderflower liqueur, crisp Lillet blanc, a splash of grapefruit juice, and adash of lemon bitters. It’s the perfect choice for any occasion, whether you’re enjoying a sunny afternoon or toasting a special evening. And guess what? It’s reportedlyTaylor Swift’snew favorite co*cktail!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ideal Aperitif:With its refreshing and crisp flavor profile, the French Blonde is the perfect aperitif to stimulate your appetite before a meal or enjoy alongside acharcuterie boardduringhappy hour.

Customizable to Taste:Tailor this recipe to your liking with ease. Adjust the ratios or experiment with different types of gin to find yourperfect drink.

Taylor Swift Favorite:Swifties will love sipping on this drink knowing this isTaylor Swift’s favorite co*cktail. It’s a beautiful anddelicious co*cktail…Taylor’s version.

Ingredient Notes

• Gin:Choose your favorite high-quality gin. Choosing high quality ingredients can really make a difference in the overall taste.

• Elderflower Liqueur:St-Germain liqueuris a popular choice for its sweet andfloral flavors, but feel free to try other brands for a slight twist in flavor. St-Elder is anotherexcellent option.

• Lillet Blanc:This is a key ingredient that adds a fruity and bright quality to the drink. Lillet Blanc is aFrench aperitif winethat has quite a unique flavor.

• Grapefruit Juice:Fresh grapefruit juiceis ideal for thebest flavor. You can use bottled in a pinch, but it might not give the same bright, fresh flavor.

• Lemon Bitters:A few dashes will enhance the co*cktail with a complex flavor andlight bitterness. If you can’t find lemon bitters at your local store, you can also try lemon bitters from Amazon or use regular aromatic bitters.

• Optional Garnish:A grapefruit twist or edible flowers can add an elegant touch. They’re not just for show; they also bring a delightful aroma to each sip.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1:Add the gin, elderflower liqueur, and Lillet blanc to a co*cktail shaker.

Step 2:Add the grapefruit juice and a fewdashes of lemon bitters.

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Step 3:Add ice cubes and shake until well chilled. Strain into acoupe glass.

Step 4:Garnish, if desired.

Expert Tips

• Glass Choice:Acoupe glass, a Nick and Nora glass, or amartini glassare all perfect for this type of co*cktail. Their design complements the drink’s elegance.

• Chill Your Glass:Pre-chill your glass for an extrarefreshing co*cktail. A cold glass keeps the drink cool longer and enhances the drinking experience.

• Double Strain:For a smoother drink, pour the co*cktail through afine mesh strainerinto the co*cktail glass to remove any small ice shards or pulp. This extra step ensures a smooth and refined texture.

• Prevent Dilution:Don’t start with anice-filled co*cktail shaker. Add your ingredients to an empty co*cktail shaker first, then add ice. This method minimizes ice melting and dilution before you even start shaking.

• Experiment with Garnishes:Whilegrapefruit peelis a classic garnish, experimenting with different garnishes likefresh herbs, aslice of grapefruit, orfresh berriescan add a unique twist to your French Blonde co*cktail. Since it’s afloral co*cktail, I went with edible flowers for a garnish.

Variations

• If you want to different floral taste,try replacing the elderflower liqueur with Italicus for a different floral flavor profile. Italicus is known for its delicate citrus and floral aromas, adding a unique twist to the co*cktail. I like to use Italicus in spritz co*cktails too!

• If you can’t find Lillet blanc,you can try Lillet rosé. Substituting this ingredient is tricky, but sweet white vermouth like the Martini Bianco vermouth would work in a pinch and is generally pretty easy to find. (Side note: Bianco vermouth also makes a great spritz!)

• If you want a little fizz,try adding asplash of champagneorsparkling winesuch as prosecco or cava. I recommend a dry or brut style as the drink is already fairly sweet.Sparkling watercould be used too, but it may dilute the flavor more than asparkling wine.

• For a sweeter co*cktail,try adding a touch of simple syrup.

• For a more tart co*cktail,add alittle bitof freshlemon juice.

FAQ

What type of gin is best for a French Blonde?

You want something that complements the elderflower and grapefruit flavors without overpowering them. A Londondry gin, known for its crisp juniper-forward notes, is a good choice in general. A floral gin like Hendrick’s Flora Adora would also be nice. I used Mermaid Zest gin, which is a grapefruit, bergamot, and rosemary-infused gin – this profile complements a French Blonde perfectly.

What does Lillet Blanc taste like?

Lillet Blanc is aFrench apéritif winethat offers a delightful blend of sweet, citrus, and herbal flavors. Aperitifs are essentially pre-dinner drinks meant to stimulate the appetite. It has a slightly fruity and floral aroma with a hint of orange, honey, and herbal flavor. Its taste is refreshing, mildly sweet, and perfectly balanced, making it a great addition to co*cktails.

How does a French Blonde compare to a French 75?

While each co*cktail is agin co*cktail, their taste profiles are quite different. A French 75 is a classicgin-based drinkwithlemon juice, sugar, and Champagne. On the other hand, a French Blonde co*cktail has more of a floral andsubtle sweetness, thanks to the floralsweetness of the elderflowerliqueur and Lillet Blanc, with a tart edge from the grapefruit juice. The French Blonde is less fizzy and more nuanced in flavor compared to the crisp and tart French 75.

Moreco*cktail Recipesto Try

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