Still Spirits just handed serious gin fans their summer cocktail secret—and it’s dangerously floral.

September 1, 2025

Floral Notes Meet Craft: Why This Gin Flavouring Is a Game-Changer for At-Home Mixology

Because homemade spirits should look and taste like they belong on a top-shelf bar.

There’s something quietly satisfying about handing someone a cocktail and watching their expression shift after the first sip—the raised eyebrows, the slow nod, maybe even a little grin. That moment of “Wait, you made this?” is worth its weight in copper stills.

But let’s be real. Crafting a gin that’s as polished as it is fragrant isn’t easy. Most blends either come out one-note or leave that back-of-the-throat burn that screams, “You brewed this wrong.” That’s where Still Spirits Top Shelf Elderflower Gin punches well above its weight.

This flavouring packs everything you want in a floral gin—delicate elderflower, dry juniper, a touch of citrus lift—all without needing to forage old hedgerows or invest in exotic botanicals. Just mix with a clean neutral spirit or vodka, and boom. Premium-quality gin from your own shed.

Why It’s the Go-To for Elegant Cocktails

Fast, Flawless Results: No guesswork. You get a consistent flavour profile every single time.
Floral Without Being Perfumed: The elderflower note sits soft and subtle—not fake or overwhelming.
Shed-to-Bar Quality: Whether you’re shaking up a martini or serving a backyard G&T, this stuff holds its own next to high-end bottles.
Perfect for Creating Signature Cocktails: Elevates your drink without overpowering it. Great with cucumber, citrus, mint, or even a splash of prosecco.

A Drink That Earns Its Silence

You know that silence that falls around a table when the food’s good? That “let’s just appreciate this” pause? This gin creates the same vibe, except it’s in a frosted coupe glass. First sip: smooth. Second sip: fragrant. Finish: clean and crisp with just enough botanical complexity to feel intentional—like you knew exactly what you were doing.

"An elderflower gin and tonic with rosemary garnish and a twist of grapefruit peel? It’s the kind of backyard drink that makes people ask for seconds without asking what’s in it." — Candeece, Homebrew Specialist

How to Use It (Even If You’ve Never Distilled a Drop)

If you’ve already got a still and know your way around a reflux or pot rig—brilliant. You’re 90% there. Just distil your neutral spirit (we stock everything from carbon filter kits to turbo yeasts for cleaner yield), then add Still Spirits Elderflower Gin according to the bottle. Give it time to blend—or not. It's ready when you are.

Only making a single bottle? No problem. This 50ml essence is designed for a 1L batch, making it perfect for small runs or cocktail experimenting. Save the rest for future mixology inspiration.

What Makes Elderflower the Star Ingredient?

Elderflower’s been a staple in European liqueurs since folk times—not just for taste, but for the feeling. It’s nostalgic, refreshing, a bit mysterious. Think sun-drenched hedgerows and spring air over limestone. It lifts a drink the way a squeeze of lemon finishes a grilled fish—quiet, but transformative.

And when balanced well, like in this flavouring, it doesn’t shout. It aims for charm, not drama. That’s why it’s ideal for gin—it softens the bitterness of tonics and plays off citrus or herb-based accents without clashing.

Quick Mix Ideas Straight From the Shed

Rosemary Elderflower G&T: Mix 30ml of your homemade elderflower gin with tonic, a sprig of rosemary, and a slice of pink grapefruit. It’s like summer in a glass.
Floral Fizz: 30ml elderflower gin, top with soda water, add a squeeze of lime and fresh cucumber ribbons.
South Aussie 75: 20ml elderflower gin, 10ml lemon juice, top with a splash of sparkling wine. Serve chilly in a flute or wide coupe.

Solid Swaps and Upgrades

Before discovering this flavouring, the routine might’ve been to buy a bottle that promised “botanical balance” but delivered bitter soap or sugar syrup. Or maybe you dabbled with soaking herbs and twigs in ethanol like some sort of gin wizard—with hit-and-miss results.

This swap makes the whole thing stress-free. Instead of testing dozens of home-brewed infusions, go straight to a flavour that works like clockwork. You’re cutting the guesswork without cutting the quality.

The Real Takeaway

A top-shelf result doesn't need to come from a top-shelf bottle.

You can master this craft without a lab coat or bar school certificate. All you need is a clean neutral base, a good quality flavouring, and the will to surprise someone with a drink they didn’t see coming. Like handing over a homemade gin cocktail and watching them pause, raise eyebrows, and say…

“Wait—you made this?”

Stir well, sip slow, and don’t forget to save one for yourself.

Stay crafty,
Candeece