Le Smoking YSL is a French-inspired cocktail pairing dry gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon, and sparkling wine in a crisp, lightly floral drink. It is served chilled in a flute or coupe, with the bubbles added just before serving; the name is a modern cocktail-style reference, not a traditional French recipe with one fixed formula.
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) London dry gin
- 1 oz (30 ml) elderflower liqueur
- 1 oz (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice, strained
- ½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup, preferably 1:1 sugar and water
- 4 oz (120 ml) chilled dry sparkling wine, such as Crémant or Champagne
- 1 cup (about 140 g) ice cubes, for shaking
- 2 thin lemon twists, for garnish
Instructions
- Chill the glasses. Place two flutes or coupes in the freezer for about 5 minutes, or fill them with ice water while you prepare the cocktail. Empty and dry the glasses before pouring.
- Measure the base. Pour the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Add the ice. If you prefer a less sweet drink, begin with ¼ oz (7 ml) syrup; you can adjust the next round after tasting.
- Shake until cold. Secure the shaker and shake briskly for 12–15 seconds, until the outside feels very cold. Shaking chills and combines the ingredients while slightly diluting the strong spirits.
- Strain into glasses. Double-strain through the shaker’s strainer and a small fine-mesh strainer into the chilled glasses. This catches small ice chips and lemon pulp for a smoother drink.
- Add the sparkling wine. Slowly top each glass with about 2 oz (60 ml) chilled sparkling wine. Pour gently down the inside of the glass to preserve the bubbles, then give each drink one very gentle stir with a bar spoon if needed.
- Garnish and serve. Express a lemon twist over each glass by briefly twisting it skin-side down, then drop it in or rest it on the rim. Serve straight away while the sparkling wine is lively.
Tips
- Use fresh lemon. Bottled juice tends to taste flatter and can be more sharply acidic. Straining fresh juice removes seeds and excess pulp without removing its bright flavor.
- Adjust sweetness thoughtfully. Elderflower liqueur and sparkling wine both contribute sweetness. Choose a brut or extra-brut sparkling wine for a drier result, and add syrup gradually rather than making the base too sweet.
- Keep the bubbles cold. Chill the sparkling wine and glasses in advance. Do not shake the wine or add it to the shaker; shaking carbonated wine can cause foaming and pressure buildup.
- Choose a workable substitute. If elderflower liqueur is unavailable, use ½ oz (15 ml) simple syrup and a small splash of floral syrup, such as elderflower cordial, if you have it. The drink will have less depth and may be sweeter, so taste the base before topping.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this cocktail as an aperitif before a meal, or alongside small bites that will not overwhelm its citrus and floral notes. Salted almonds, mild cheeses, gougères, smoked salmon canapés, and crisp vegetable crudités are good options. For a dinner party, mix and chill the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon, and syrup shortly before guests arrive, but keep the sparkling wine separate and pour it into each glass at the last moment.
A flute emphasizes the fine bubbles and gives the drink a slender presentation. A coupe is easier to garnish and offers more room for a larger lemon twist, though the drink will lose its fizz sooner. Use whichever glass you have, and serve each portion promptly rather than letting it sit on the table.
Variations
Less sweet: Reduce the syrup to ¼ oz (7 ml), or omit it if the elderflower liqueur is already sweet enough for your taste. Keep the lemon amount the same so the drink stays balanced.
With Cognac: Replace the gin with 2 oz (60 ml) Cognac for a rounder, warmer spirit character. The result is less crisp and botanical, but it pairs well with the floral liqueur and sparkling wine.
Herbal garnish: Add a small sprig of thyme or a fresh mint leaf along with the lemon twist. Use just one herb so it complements rather than masks the elderflower aroma.
Nonalcoholic option: Use a nonalcoholic gin alternative, elderflower cordial in place of the liqueur, and alcohol-free sparkling wine. Start with ½ oz (15 ml) cordial and reduce or omit the simple syrup; cordial varies in sweetness, so taste before serving.
Storage and Reheating
This is a freshly mixed cocktail and is best served immediately; it does not reheat. If you need to get ahead, combine the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and syrup in a covered container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Keep the sparkling wine sealed and chilled separately, then shake the base with ice and top with wine just before serving. Discard any cocktail left at room temperature for more than 2 hours, and do not store a finished, carbonated drink for later because it will go flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sparkling wine works best?
Choose a dry, well-chilled sparkling wine. Crémant is a useful French option, while Champagne or another brut sparkling wine also works. Avoid very sweet styles unless you reduce the syrup.
Can I make a batch for a party?
Yes. Multiply the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and syrup by the number of servings, combine them in a covered pitcher, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Shake individual portions with ice if possible, then add the sparkling wine to each glass immediately before serving. If pouring from a pitcher, add the wine only at the last moment and stir gently.
Can I make it without a cocktail shaker?
Use a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add the base ingredients and ice, close it securely, shake for 12–15 seconds, then strain through a small sieve. Do not put sparkling wine in the jar.
What if I do not have simple syrup?
Stir equal parts sugar and hot water until the sugar dissolves, then cool the syrup before measuring. For this recipe, ½ oz (15 ml) is enough; refrigerate any extra in a covered container and use it within about 2 weeks.
Can I make the cocktail less strong?
Use 1½ oz (45 ml) gin and increase the sparkling wine to 2½ oz (75 ml) per serving. The drink will be lighter in spirit flavor and less concentrated; keep the lemon and elderflower amounts unchanged at first, then adjust sweetness to taste.
Is this a traditional French cocktail?
It is best understood as a contemporary, French-inspired cocktail rather than a recipe with a single established traditional formula. French sparkling wine is a fitting choice, but the drink also works with other dry sparkling wines.
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