Sky Full of Stars – Vodka Elderflower Collins Cocktail
A light and refreshing vodka elderflower Collins, the Sky Full of Stars blends citrus, floral liqueur, and sparkling soda into an easy-drinking cocktail built for warm evenings.
Easy
The Sky Full of Stars is a sparkling vodka cocktail that leans into floral elegance and citrus brightness. Built like a classic Collins, it’s crisp, lightly sweet, and designed for easy sipping. Elderflower brings a soft aromatic layer that keeps the drink interesting without overpowering its refreshing core.
Background
This cocktail follows the structure of a traditional Collins, a style that dates back to the 19th century and is known for combining spirit, citrus, sugar, and soda. The addition of elderflower liqueur reflects a modern shift toward floral flavors in cocktails, which gained popularity in the early 2000s with brands like St-Germain.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Vodka – the clean, neutral base that lets the other flavors stand out
- Elderflower liqueur – adds floral sweetness and aromatic lift
- Lemon juice – provides brightness and balance
- Simple syrup – lightly rounds out the acidity
- Club soda – brings effervescence and length
Substitutions:
No elderflower liqueur? Try a floral gin or a mix of simple syrup with a splash of chamomile tea.
Prefer a sharper profile? Swap lemon for lime.
Equipment
- Shaker
- Strainer
- Collins glass
- Ice
What Makes This One Stand Out
Light, Not Sugary
This build keeps sweetness in check, letting citrus and bubbles do the heavy lifting instead of relying on syrup.
Floral Without Overkill
Elderflower adds aroma and softness without turning the drink into perfume.
Built for Easy Drinking
Low intensity, high refreshment. This is the kind of cocktail you can sip through without palate fatigue.
Substitutions & Variations
- Swap vodka for gin to add botanical complexity
- Add a splash of prosecco for a more celebratory version
- Infuse the simple syrup with herbs like thyme or basil for a subtle twist
- Use flavored sparkling water for variation
Helpful Tips
- Use fresh lemon juice for the cleanest flavor
- Add soda last to preserve carbonation
- Don’t over-stir or you’ll flatten the drink
- Chill your glass if you want a crisper finish
Sky Full of Stars Recipe
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Type of Glass
Collins Glass
Prep Time
2 min
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz.
- 3/4 oz.
- 3/4 oz.
- 1/4 oz.
- top (2-3 oz)
Directions
Add vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
Top with club soda.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with a lemon wheel.
A crisp, floral highball that keeps things light, balanced, and endlessly drinkable.
