Because Mac’s bar had the right idea and so do we
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop has a Beltane festival scene that I did not see coming and genuinely loved. Mac’s bar leans fully into the energy of the moment and the whole thing has this warm, chaotic, community celebration feeling that is exactly what Laurie Gilmore does best.
I wanted a drink that matched it. Something floral and festive. Something you could serve in a big jug at a book club and have everyone ask you for the recipe. Something that works with wine for the people who want the full Beltane bar experience, and without wine for the people who want the elderflower magic without the alcohol.
This is that drink.
Elderflower cordial, white wine, sparkling water, berries and something herbal or floral to finish. Light, pretty, and a little bit celebratory without being fussy. The mocktail version is honestly just as good and possibly more drinkable, which I say as someone who made both.
What you will need
Serves 6-8 in a large jug or punch bowl, or 2 in glasses.
For the cocktail version:
- 750ml dry to semi-dry white wine, well chilled (a Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or light Riesling all work well)
- 80ml elderflower cordial
- 500ml sparkling water, well chilled
- 150g mixed berries (raspberries, blueberries, halved strawberries – fresh or frozen)
- 1 lemon, sliced into rounds
- A small handful of fresh mint or fresh edible flowers (optional, for garnish)
- Ice
For the mocktail version:
- 120ml elderflower cordial (more than the cocktail because it is doing more work)
- 500ml sparkling water
- 250ml white grape juice or white cranberry juice (adds body and a little sweetness without the alcohol)
- 150g mixed berries
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Fresh mint or edible flowers
- Ice
Method
To make the cocktail punch:
Place the berries and lemon slices in the bottom of a large jug or punch bowl. Add ice. Pour over the white wine, then the elderflower cordial, then the sparkling water. Stir gently once or twice. Do not over-stir or you will knock the bubbles out of it. Garnish with mint or edible flowers if you have them. Serve immediately.
If you are making this ahead for a gathering, combine the wine and cordial in the jug with the fruit and lemon and refrigerate. Add the sparkling water and ice right before serving so the bubbles survive.
To make the mocktail:
Same process. Berries and lemon in the jug first, then ice, then the grape juice, then the elderflower cordial, then the sparkling water. Taste and adjust the cordial if you want it sweeter. Garnish and serve.
To make individual glasses:
For each glass, add a handful of berries and a slice of lemon, then fill with ice.
Cocktail: Pour about 120ml white wine, a generous splash of elderflower cordial (roughly 15ml) and top with sparkling water.
Mocktail: Pour about 60ml grape juice, the same splash of elderflower cordial, and top with sparkling water.
Cosy Kitchen Notes
The cordial is doing the heavy lifting. St Germain (elderflower liqueur) can replace the cordial in the cocktail version for a stronger, more complex elderflower note and a slight bump in alcohol. Reduce the quantity to 40-50ml as it is much more intense than cordial.
Frozen berries work brilliantly here. They chill the drink as they thaw and keep it cold without diluting it as fast as ice does. Add a handful of frozen berries to the jug along with the ice and your punch stays cold longer.
The wine choice matters more than you think. An overly sweet white wine will make the punch cloying since the elderflower cordial adds sweetness. A dry crisp white keeps the balance right. Pinot Grigio is the safest bet if you are unsure.
Make it batch-friendly. This recipe scales up easily for a crowd. Double or triple everything. Keep the wine, cordial, and fruit in the fridge ahead of time and add the sparkling water last minute.
Edible flowers are completely optional. They look beautiful but they are a garnish, not a requirement. A few sprigs of mint and a lemon wheel do exactly the same job.
The Last Sip
Beltane is a spring celebration and this drink has that same energy. Light, a little festive, and genuinely pretty in a glass without requiring any real effort.
Make the mocktail for daytime, the cocktail for book club, and both if you cannot decide. Pair with a copy of The Daisy Chain Flower Shop, a warm afternoon and preferably a small community festival happening somewhere nearby.
If your suburb does not have a Beltane festival, I am sorry. Dream Harbor is probably looking for new residents.
