St Germain Cocktails – Creme de Menthe flavored vodka is a good base for making your own St Germain-infused cocktails. This version, spiked with agave nectar, is also great on its own as a sipping drink. The addition of lime zest and mint leaves gives it a refreshing twist that’s sure to leave you floating on a sea of mint juleps.
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What is St Germain?
St Germain is an anise-flavored spirit produced in France. It is often labeled as a Grand Marnier-type spirit, but it has more notes of anise and less of an overpowering sweetness. It is often used in mixes with other whiskies. French markets often have a good stock of St Germain. In the U.S., you can usually purchase St Germain at specialty liquor stores.
What is a St Germain Cocktail?
A St Germain cocktail is simply a mix of St Germain and other spirits in a glass. Traditionally, a St Germain cocktail is made with a cream-based liquor such as crème de menthe, crème de cacao, crème de vanille, or crème de cacao amaretto. You can also use low-proof vodka in place of the cream for a more basic version.
Many people find that using simple syrup (1/2 cup sugar dissolved in 1 cup water) as a substitute for the cream gives the beverage a richer and more complex flavor profile. If you are not a fan of St Germain, you can substitute any other spirit for the cream, such as vodka, whiskey, rum, or tequila.
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How to Make a St Germain Cocktail
The ingredients for a St Germain cocktail are simple: vodka, cream, and whatever flavoring you choose. Here are a few tips to help get the process going: Use fresh ingredients. Store-bought flavoring will likely have trouble competing against the fresh notes of a homemade beverage. If you don’t have access to fresh herbs or fruit, you can substitute the herbs you used in the recipe.
But don’t use substitutes that have a weaker flavor than the original. Make sure the ingredients for the creaminess of the cocktail are equally balanced. If one flavor is overly dominant, the others will suffer. Remember, a St Germain cocktail is not meant to be served straight. You want it to be sipped like a fine wine, with the occasional gulp for a more powerful effect.
Creme De Menthe Flavored Vodka
Creme de menthe is a very common base spirit used in mixes, but it is not actually flavoring itself. The flavoring is actually added to a base spirit such as vodka to make it more piquant and drinkable. You can use this base as a starting point to make your own flavoring. Start with 1/4 cup vodka and add up to 1/4 cup of your favorite non-alcoholic beverage, such as orange juice, tonic water, or ginger beer, to get the flavor profile you want. You can substitute other juices such as grape, papaya, or kiwi for the tonic water to get a basic flavor profile for your beverage.
Agave Nectar for a Good Taste
Agave nectar is naturally occurring, organic clear syrup made from the plant Agave. It is often called golden syrup and is widely used as a flavoring in recipes because of its intense sweetness. Because of its sweetness and the fact that it is made from the waste products of other plants, agave is not typically consumed as a drink. However, it makes for an impressive base for a St Germain-flavored vodka. For a basic version, use 2/3 cup of nectar for every 1/3 cup of vodka as a base. If you want a stronger flavor, use up to 3/4 cup of nectar for every 1/4 cup of vodka. If you want your vodka to be more sippable, you can use less nectar, 1/2 cup for every 1/3 to 1/2 cup of vodka.
Lime Zest for a Fresh Twist
Lime is one of the most popular fruit flavors used in mixology. Traditionally, lime is used with other citrus fruits such as orange and grapefruit. You can use this simple, tart, and refreshing juice in place of the zest for a more refreshing drink. Equal parts of zest and juice should be used for a sipping drink, or you will get a weaker flavor from the beverage. If you want a stronger flavor, use up to 3/4 cup of lime juice for every 1/4 cup of zest.
Mint Leaves for an added Freshness
Mint is another popular flavor used in mixology. You can use this green herb in place of the zest for a more complex, fresh profile. You can also use this fresh herb in place of the sugar to make a sugar-free version. For a basic version, use 1/2 cup of mint leaves for every 1/3 cup of sugar. If you want a stronger flavor, use up to 3/4 cup of mint leaves for every 1/4 cup of sugar.
Conclusion
St Germain is a popular vodka flavor that is often paired with blueberries, strawberries, and other summer fruits. It is often used in mixed drinks and can be enjoyed on its own or in a mixed drink. If you love blueberries, strawberries, and cream, this recipe is for you.
