If you made elderflower cordial this season, then this is what you need to make with it. (And if you didn’t make elderflower cordial, bookmark the recipe for next year and buy store-bought in the meantime). But this isn’t just about the elderflower. This Prosecco co*cktail recipe has a story, and it’s all in the name: “The Bump Start”.
It started in the Lake District. Two of my dear friends and I were on a camping trip to celebrate the summer solstice. We had few fixed plans, only to walk, talk, cook, eat and enjoy ourselves.
Of course, there are some GREAT pubs in the Lake District worth getting distracted by, including The Manor Arms in wee Broughton, in the corner of their tiny square. This pub is all about the pints (no food, no music - a proper pub!). We happened there because we were in town to buy groceries (at the charming Melville Tyson grocer). We also needed cash, and learned that the only way to get cash was to go to a pub, buy something, and get cash back. A welcome interruption to our high-octane day!
About two pints (for my friends - as the “responsible” driver I was on the Diet co*ke) and a bundle of cash later, I remembered the car. Assuming we were just stopping quickly for groceries, I’d left my ultra-awesome electric cooler (“coolbox” for you Brits) plugged into the cigarette lighter. “Do you think the car will start?” I asked my friends? You know where this is going…
Sure enough the engine was totally dead. But hey, no big deal, I’ve got AA and we were in a pleasant enough place to be stuck in for a while. Plus there were loads of people around, surely someone would have jump cables?
While somewhat nervously scoping out the car park (“parking lot” for you Yankees), my eyes settled on a Land Rover of some variety, and I immediately thought, “whoever owns that car can help me”. Within seconds a man and woman arrived and I hustled over to ask if they had jump cables. No. “But,” the gentleman said, “you can bump start it.”
A bump start? I’d heard of this and seen it in movies - Little Miss Sunshine namely. But I had no idea how the mechanics of it worked and found it hugely intimidating (particularly since I’d parked in a parallel spot on an incline).
This guy was amazing. First, through a lot of convoluted pushing, he helped us shimmy the car out of the parking spot. Then he explained the bump start, which isn’t complicated at all: basically you push the car with the clutch in, and when it’s at about 5-10mph, you release the clutch, the car “bumps”, and the engine rotates and fires. Then you quickly break and put the clutch back in and give it a few good revs. Done.
Because I was parked on an incline, we were going to have to do this going backwards. As sat in the car while he and my friends did the pushing. Facing me, he was able to guide me through the whole process. He could obviously tell I was nervous and had such patience in explaining how it would all work - I swear he must be a teacher. And when it was done and the car was actually running, my heart was beating like crazy and I felt like a minor miracle had occurred - the thrill of mechanics!
Hugs were shared amongst my friends and our Lake District heroes, whose names I never got, but whose generosity and kindness will never be forgotten. Furthermore, the metaphor of the “bump start” has become an ongoing thread in all aspects of life. Such a life changer deserves a tribute co*cktail.
This co*cktail is a riff on a mocktail I make with elderflower cordial, lots of lemon and lime, and fizzy water. I’d been drinking this refreshing elixer in the early evening to “bump start” me out of an afternoon lull. I’d long wanted to turn it into a proper co*cktail, and having experimented with several different types of liquor, I finally settled on gin and Prosecco as the happy combination. It contains the juice of half a lemon and half a lime, so it’s quite tart, but the elderflower balances things out. You could hold back the gin for a slightly less potent co*cktail, but with good gin (Hendricks is my preferred), it actually makes the drink better.
This drink tastes best after having achieved a real-life bump start of your own (but don’t drink it until you’re finished driving!).
Thanks to my friend Donovan who helped me fine tune this.
FAQs
Elderflower liqueurs are delicately flavoured, aromatic and floral; they mix brilliantly with pretty much every spirit, both white and brown, even combining well with the strong flavours of mezcal, peated whisky and pisco. Elderflower tends to mix better with light-coloured fruits such as pear, apple and white grapes.
What alcohol pairs well with Prosecco? ›
Vodka and orange liqueur add the alcohol and, of course, Prosecco for some Christmas sparkle. It's another co*cktail that's perfect for Christmas and the holidays.
What is good to add to Prosecco? ›
The best thing about prosecco is that you can add pretty much anything to it and it'll still taste great! A few of my favorite things to add with prosecco are cranberry juice, pineapple juice, pomegranate juice, orange juice, vodka, orange liqueur, cranberries, oranges, and pomegranate seeds.
Why is it called a Hugo Spritz? ›
THE HUGO SPRITZ EVOLUTION
Originally named 'Otto', its inventor, bartender Roland Gruber, later settled on 'Hugo' simply because he preferred the name! Change is at the heart of this celebrated co*cktail, with its ingredients also evolving with time.
What compliments elderflower? ›
The lightly sweet nuances of elderflower blend well with many other natural fruit flavors and botanicals, including honey, pear, blackberry, strawberry, grapefruit, orange, lime, passionfruit, ginger, and even herbal flavors like rosemary, basil, and lemongrass.
Can I drink elderflower liqueur straight? ›
This quarantees the easy mixability with sparkling wine/Champagne, or enjoyed chilled by itself!
What can I pimp my Prosecco with? ›
Your favourite juices and cordials such as elderflower, rhubarb, pomegranate, and cherry cordials work great with prosecco.
What is the most popular Prosecco drink? ›
Aperol Spritz
Because of its light and bubbly nature, many people love to have it on hot summer nights. If you want to create a seasonal menu for your restaurant and you need great summer offers, don't skip the Aperol Spritz. It will probably be among the most ordered drinks.
What juice is best with Prosecco? ›
Prosecco pairs well with various fruit juices. Common choices include peach, orange, grapefruit, and strawberry juices.
Can you add chambord to Prosecco? ›
Chambord is 16.5% abv and gave the prosecco more oomph and a delightful raspberry depth.
Add a fruity punch to your Prosecco by adding grapefruit - sort of like a prosecco grapefruit mimosa. Juice the grapefruits and then mix with the chilled Prosecco in a large jug. Stir in your favourite sweetener (add according to taste, trying it as you go).
What co*cktail is served with a shot of Prosecco? ›
“A p*rnstar Martini is the perfect combination of passionfruit, vanilla, vodka and citrus, so it has a very sweet yet tangy flavour,” she said. “It is served best with a Prosecco chaser and garnished with half a passionfruit.
What is a Capri spritz? ›
● 75 ml Prosecco. ● 50 ml Limoncello di Capri. ● 25 ml Soda. ● Sprig of mint.
What does St. Germain elderflower taste like? ›
The wild, natural sweetness of fresh, handpicked elderflowers gives St Germain a transformative flavour; indulgent, yet delicate with a fresh natural sweetness and notes of pear and honeysuckle.
Why does everyone in Italy drink Aperol Spritz? ›
The drink was invented as a means to combat the heat and humidity of Italy's summer months. It became popular among people who wanted something light to sip on before dinner.
What does St-Germain pair well with? ›
Although it's often paired with gin and vodka, St-Germain can be equally complementary to darker spirits, as in this fruity whiskey drink from bartender Willy Shine. He splits the sweetener between simple syrup and St-Germain in a combination of rye whiskey, fresh Fuji apple juice, lemon juice, and Champagne.
What is St Germain elderflower liqueur used for? ›
St‑Germain works well in a variety of co*cktails, including the classic St‑Germain Spritz. Bartenders love our elderflower liqueur for its versatility and its ability to elevate any co*cktail whether it's a Gin & Tonic, Margarita, or even an Old Fashioned.
What is best to mix with liqueur? ›
It pairs really well with a twist of lime, too. Add Cointreau to drinks that are normally a little bitter, like cranberry or grapefruit juices, to open up their sweeter notes. Orange liqueurs like Cointreau and triple sec go really well with tequila drinks like margaritas, as well as run drinks.
What does elderflower liquor taste like? ›
St Germain Liqueur features a subtle yet delicate flavor, a fresh, quality taste and notes of peach, pear and grapefruit that are enhanced by the endless charm of the elderflower.
