Sweet, slightly tangy, and with a delicate aroma, this chamomile cocktail is bursting with bright floral flavours!
The Chamomile Honey Gin Sour draws inspiration from the beautiful gardens around us. I am always looking for floral inspiration in the spring and the first time that I made this cocktail I knew it would become a favourite of mine. Chamomile has such a delicate flavour – floral and herbaceous with hints of citrus and mint. It’s the perfect addition to your edible flower repertoire!
I love the addition of honey in the syrup. It pairs naturally with chamomile and the flavour really shines through in the finished drink. After one sip of this delightful floral cocktail, I’m sure you’ll agree that chamomile deserves a place in the kitchen.
Uses and Benefits of Chamomile
The chamomile plant has been used in many ways since as far back as Ancient Egypt. Today we usually think of chamomile as a tea that helps with anxiety and sleep disorders. But in the ancient world it was a common panacea for a variety of conditions. The benefits of chamomile are due to its high level of antioxidants. Both the flower and the leaves are edible, but it is usually the flower that is used in teas and tinctures.
Ingredient Notes
Chamomile: I use dried chamomile. Dried chamomile is very easy to source at any health food store, or online, due to its popularity. You could use fresh chamomile but keep in mind that the flavour won’t be as strong as when dried – so use more when making the syrup.
Honey: A spoonful of honey is a delicious way to sweeten a cup of chamomile tea so I knew that it would be the perfect addition to this gin sour floral cocktail. I love using alfalfa honey from local honey farm Campbell’s Gold here in the Fraser Valley.
Lemon: A squeeze of fresh lemon adds a sour note to balance out the sweetness from the honey.
Gin: I really love using gin for floral cocktails. The botanicals in gin are the perfect compliment to the floral flavours.
Grapefruit bitters: Bitters are a great way to add complexity to a drink. They can add a great balance to drinks that are sweet or mild in flavour. I used grapefruit bitters because I thought the citrus flavour would pair well with the chamomile. The bitters is not strictly necessary if you’re struggling to find it, but I find it adds to the overall flavour.
Egg whites: Strictly speaking, the egg white is optional. But, I strongly suggest trying it. Adding an egg white to cocktails gives a creamy mouthfeel and creates a delicate foam on top. There are of course risks involved with consuming raw egg whites which can be mitigated with good handling. Handle the eggs carefully as the bacteria responsible for salmonella is usually found on the shell. Try using a slotted spoon, or even clean hands, to separate the egg whites. You could also use a carton of pasteurized egg whites. This is useful for parties where you’re making multiple drinks at a time. I haven’t noticed too much of a difference in using the carton egg whites versus fresh when making drinks for a crowd. If you aren’t willing to take the risk, this floral cocktail will still work without the egg white, it just won’t have that creamy quality.
How to Make Chamomile Honey Gin Sour
First, we will start by making the chamomile honey simple syrup. In a saucepan combine the water, sugar, and honey. Bring to a simmer and cook just until the sugar and honey is dissolved. Add the dried chamomile flowers and let simmer for a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat and let steep for 15 to 20 minutes.
Strain the syrup through a fine mesh strainer and let cool completely. Chill until ready to use.
To make the cocktail, add ice to a cocktail shaker. Add the gin, chamomile honey simple syrup, lemon juice, grapefruit bitters, and the egg whites to the shaker. Cover and shake well for 15 to 20 seconds. When using egg whites be sure to give it a good long shake so you don’t end up with unmixed egg whites in your drink. Yuck!
After shaking, strain into a coupe glass and serve!
More Spring Floral Cocktails
If you love making fragrant spring drinks with flowers easily found in your garden, try out these recipes:
- Rhubarb Lavender Gin Cocktail Recipe
- Lilac French 75
- Honey Chamomile Bourbon Sour
- The May Queen Cocktail
Or if you like a lighter fruitier cocktail with only a hint of floral, try my Elderflower Grapefruit Spritzer.
