Welcome to Shake, Sip, Serve, your one-stop shop for all things bartending.

I’m your host, KAD, and I’ve been slinging drinks and navigating the world of hospitality for over two decades. Over the past few years, I’ve perfected my bartending skills, experimented with countless flavour combinations, and learned a thing or two about how to keep the party going behind the bar.

Whether you’re a seasoned bartender like me looking for fresh inspiration or a complete beginner eager to whip up impressive cocktails at home, Shake, Sip, Serve is here to be your guide.

In the blog below, I’ll be sharing my knowledge and experience on everything from classic cocktails and innovative new creations to essential bartending techniques and industry secrets. I’ll also offer tips on stocking your home bar, mastering the art of presentation, and creating a memorable experience for your guests.

So, grab your shaker, dust off your favourite glassware, and get ready to embark on a delicious journey into the world of bartending.

Let’s Shake, Sip, and Serve up something amazing together.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Cherry Blossom Collins Recipe

A Light Floral Gin Cocktail Perfect For Spring Entertaining

Elegant, refreshing and beautifully floral, the Cherry Blossom Collins is the kind of cocktail that instantly feels sophisticated from the very first sip. Combining smooth gin, cherry syrup, elderflower liqueur and fresh lemon juice with sparkling soda water, this blush pink cocktail delivers the perfect balance of fruit, citrus and delicate floral notes.

Inspired by the timeless structure of a classic Tom Collins, the Cherry Blossom Collins introduces modern spring inspired flavours while still maintaining the crisp sparkling finish Collins cocktails are known for. The cherry syrup brings soft berry sweetness and stunning pastel colour while the elderflower liqueur adds fragrant floral depth that feels light, refined and incredibly refreshing.

Finished with a glossy maraschino cherry garnish, this cocktail looks just as beautiful as it tastes, making it perfect for brunches, garden parties, bridal showers and elegant entertaining at home.

The result is a cocktail that feels:

Bright and refreshing
Softly floral
Light and sparkling
Smooth and citrusy
Elegant and visually stunning

Whether you are hosting guests outdoors, planning a spring cocktail menu or simply craving something refreshing and sophisticated, the Cherry Blossom Collins is guaranteed to impress.

Before we start mixing, make sure you have your cocktail kit ready to go. A proper shaker, jigger and strainer will make the process smoother and help you create a better balanced drink. If you are still building your home bar, we recommend the Barillio cocktail kit here. Now let’s shake up something great.

What Is A Collins Cocktail?

A Collins cocktail is a classic sparkling cocktail traditionally made using:

Spirit
Citrus juice
Sweetener
Soda water

The most famous variation is the Tom Collins, which uses gin as the base spirit.

Collins cocktails remain popular because they are:

Light and refreshing
Easy to drink
Bright and citrusy
Perfect for warm weather entertaining

The Cherry Blossom Collins modernises this classic formula by introducing cherry syrup and elderflower liqueur for a softer and more floral flavour profile.

Why Cherry And Elderflower Work So Beautifully Together

Cherry and elderflower naturally complement one another because they balance fruit sweetness with delicate floral freshness.

Cherry Adds Fruit Depth And Colour

Cherry syrup introduces:

Rich berry sweetness
Light tartness
Bright fruit flavour
Soft blush pink colour

This creates the cocktail’s signature spring inspired appearance.

Elderflower Adds Floral Elegance

Elderflower liqueur contributes:

Delicate floral aroma
Smooth sweetness
Botanical depth
Perfumed freshness

without overpowering the drink.

Lemon Keeps Everything Bright

Fresh lemon juice balances the sweetness and floral notes by adding crisp acidity and refreshing citrus brightness.

This keeps the cocktail light and highly drinkable.

Why Gin Is Perfect For Floral Cocktails

Gin naturally pairs beautifully with floral and fruit ingredients because of its botanical structure.

The herbal and citrus notes found in gin help enhance:

Elderflower aroma
Cherry sweetness
Lemon brightness

while maintaining the clean refreshing finish Collins cocktails are known for.

A quality gin also helps the cocktail feel elegant and refined rather than overly sugary.

Cherry Blossom Collins Ingredients

Ingredients

45 ml gin
20 ml cherry syrup
15 ml elderflower liqueur
25 ml fresh lemon juice
Soda water

Garnish

Maraschino cherry

Best Gin Choices For Cherry Blossom Collins

A floral or citrus forward gin works best for this cocktail.

Here are some excellent options for home bartenders.

Hendrick’s Gin

Rose and cucumber notes pair beautifully with elderflower.

Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin

Bright citrus and balanced botanicals ideal for Collins cocktails.

Roku Gin

Elegant floral notes that work perfectly with delicate cocktails.

Tanqueray No. Ten

Fresh citrus driven profile with clean smooth finish.

Best Elderflower Liqueurs

A quality elderflower liqueur dramatically improves both aroma and balance.

St‑Germain Elderflower Liqueur

The most iconic elderflower liqueur with delicate floral complexity.

Massenez Elderflower Liqueur

Smooth floral sweetness with fresh botanical aroma.

How To Make A Cherry Blossom Collins

Step 1: Fill A Shaker With Ice

Add fresh ice into a cocktail shaker.

Step 2: Add The Ingredients

Pour into the shaker:

Gin
Cherry syrup
Elderflower liqueur
Fresh lemon juice

Step 3: Shake Well

Shake vigorously for around 15 seconds until chilled.

Step 4: Strain Into A Glass

Strain into a tall Collins or highball glass filled with fresh ice.

Step 5: Top With Soda Water

Top with chilled soda water and stir gently.

Step 6: Garnish

Finish with a glossy maraschino cherry.

Serve immediately while sparkling and cold.

Pro Tips For The Perfect Cherry Blossom Collins

Use Fresh Lemon Juice

Fresh citrus dramatically improves flavour brightness and balance.

Chill Your Glassware

Cold glassware helps maintain carbonation and refreshment longer.

Use Premium Soda Water

Fresh carbonation creates better texture and finish.

Avoid Over Sweetening

The elderflower and cherry already contribute sweetness.

Stir Gently

Gentle stirring helps maintain carbonation without flattening the cocktail.

Best Glassware For Collins Cocktails

The Cherry Blossom Collins looks stunning served in:

Collins glasses
Highball glasses
Stemmed cocktail glasses

Clear glassware showcases the soft blush pink colour beautifully.

If you are upgrading your cocktail setup, explore our guide to Essential Glassware Sets for a Home Bar

Best Food Pairings For Cherry Blossom Collins

This cocktail pairs beautifully with lighter foods and elegant entertaining platters.

Perfect pairings include:

Fruit platters
Light pastries
Sushi
Macarons
Soft cheeses
Lemon desserts
Chicken canapés

Its floral refreshing profile makes it ideal for spring and summer dining.

Perfect Occasions For This Cocktail

The Cherry Blossom Collins is ideal for:

Garden parties
Bridal showers
Spring celebrations
Elegant brunches
Afternoon cocktails
Girls nights
Outdoor entertaining

Its pastel pink appearance and sparkling finish make it especially crowd friendly.

Creative Variations To Try

Once you master the original recipe, experiment with these variations.

Sparkling Cherry Blossom Royale

Replace soda water with sparkling wine for a more luxurious finish.

Frozen Cherry Blossom Collins

Blend with ice for a frozen floral cocktail.

Raspberry Blossom Collins

Add raspberry puree for extra berry depth.

Non Alcoholic Cherry Blossom Collins

Use elderflower cordial and soda water instead of alcohol.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Using Artificial Lemon Juice

Fresh citrus creates dramatically better flavour.

Over Pouring Elderflower

Too much elderflower can overpower the cherry balance.

Using Flat Soda Water

Fresh carbonation is essential for Collins cocktails.

Over Shaking

Too much dilution weakens the delicate floral flavours.

Why Floral Cocktails Continue To Trend

Floral cocktails remain incredibly popular because they combine:

Elegant presentation
Light refreshing flavour
Sophisticated aroma
Social media appeal
Modern cocktail aesthetics

Cocktails like the Cherry Blossom Collins feel elevated and visually beautiful while still remaining approachable for casual cocktail drinkers.

Its soft pink colour and sparkling finish also make it especially popular for Pinterest and spring entertaining inspiration.

Final Thoughts On The Cherry Blossom Collins

The Cherry Blossom Collins is bright, floral and effortlessly refreshing.

The combination of cherry, elderflower and lemon creates a cocktail that feels elegant and light while still delivering the crisp sparkling finish Collins cocktails are famous for. Finished with a glossy maraschino cherry and delicate blush pink appearance, this cocktail instantly brings sophistication and springtime energy into any setting.

Whether you are entertaining guests, hosting a garden party or simply looking for a refreshing floral gin cocktail, the Cherry Blossom Collins is guaranteed to impress.

For more creative cocktail recipes, entertaining inspiration and modern drink ideas, visit Shake, Sip, Serve.

Thanks for Joining Us Behind the Bar

The bartending community is a vibrant and supportive one, and I’m excited to build that community here on Shake, Sip, Serve. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and experiences in the comments below. What are you shaking up these days? What topics would you like to see covered in future posts? Let’s connect and continue the conversation.

Liquor & Gaming NSW: This website provides information on liquor licensing, responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training, and regulations for serving alcohol in NSW. It’s essential for anyone working in the hospitality industry in NSW. You can find it here: Liquor & Gaming NSW.

If you’re looking to complete your RSA in any state or territory across Australia, you can find the full details here.