st-germain, the drink not the place
February 2, 2008
I was pleasantly introduced to this amazing treasure, of all places, at work. Occasionally on Fridays, people will bring a bottle of whiskey or some other alcohol for an end-of-the-week tasting. Personally, I don’t drink the hard stuff so when this bottle of St. Germain came through the doors I was so happy. After the tasting, as all good tastings should accomplish, I ran out and picked up a bottle for myself at my favorite local wine shop, Silverlake Wine.
This artisanale liqueur is the quintessential embodiment of pure luxury and design. The bottle itself reminds me of my favorite line of artisanal perfumes and candles that are also from france, l’artisan perfumeur. it’s like a giant Costco version of the pungent scents, only edible. This may be proof of heaven on earth.
The liqueur is made from elder flower blossoms that are hand-picked once a year in the alps. The completely artisanal method in which it is made is used as visual cues for the packaging. Such care was put into the design of the labels and the small descriptive pamphlet that accompanies the bottle. Whether is is the gold silhouette of a bicyclist transporting the handpicked blossoms, or the reverse patterned side of the labels on the bottle being visible through the glass bottle, this is truly a unique and rare product, in presentation and taste. The pamphlet has cocktail recipes which are also available online.
The flavors of this liqueur are almost indescribable. It’s light and airy, layered with different subtle hints of lychee, muscat, honey, pear and possibly citrus. it’s especially pleasant when mixed with a great sparkling wine or champagne. The bubbles seem to open up the entire bouquet that is hidden within. If one has ever tried the Japanese individually wrapped gummy candies, this liqueur is almost like the liquid version of the muscat or lychee flavored ones, (not to cheapen it by likening it to a sugary candy). It’s a wonderful treat and a nice change from a kir royale (cassis liqueur and champagne) which can many times over power the champagne. St. Germain melds with the champagne rather than overpowers whatever it is mixed with.
So after all the praise, let’s get down to it. A 750 ml bottle of this will run you around $32-34. With that, you get an intricately designed bottle and pamphlet. Is this a great value? Probably not, since you can get a same size bottle of Chambord, a black currant liqueur, for around $28. But it’s just not the same! It’s not exorbitant though considering it is artisanal and reserved for special occasions and will most likely just be a nice addition to your liquor cabinet. But unlike Chambord, the bottle seems so now and display worthy in one’s home. It’s modern and nostalgic, while the funny little crown on the Chambord bottle seems so outdated and has always reminded me of a cheap scepter for a Halloween costume. Every design snob and foodie should have a bottle of St. Germain. It’s available online at Morrel wine, if you can’t find it locally, and would make a lovely gift.
I was pleasantly introduced to this amazing treasure, of all places, at work. Occasionally on Fridays, people will bring a bottle of whiskey or some other alcohol for an end-of-the-week tasting. Personally, I don’t drink the hard stuff so when this bottle of St. Germain came through the doors I was so happy. After the tasting, as all good tastings should accomplish, I ran out and picked up a bottle for myself at my favorite local wine shop, Silverlake Wine.
This artisanale liqueur is the quintessential embodiment of pure luxury and design. The bottle itself reminds me of my favorite line of artisanal perfumes and candles that are also from france, l’artisan perfumeur. it’s like a giant Costco version of the pungent scents, only edible. This may be proof of heaven on earth.
The liqueur is made from elder flower blossoms that are hand-picked once a year in the alps. The completely artisanal method in which it is made is used as visual cues for the packaging. Such care was put into the design of the labels and the small descriptive pamphlet that accompanies the bottle. Whether is is the gold silhouette of a bicyclist transporting the handpicked blossoms, or the reverse patterned side of the labels on the bottle being visible through the glass bottle, this is truly a unique and rare product, in presentation and taste. The pamphlet has cocktail recipes which are also available online.
The flavors of this liqueur are almost indescribable. It’s light and airy, layered with different subtle hints of lychee, muscat, honey, pear and possibly citrus. it’s especially pleasant when mixed with a great sparkling wine or champagne. The bubbles seem to open up the entire bouquet that is hidden within. If one has ever tried the Japanese individually wrapped gummy candies, this liqueur is almost like the liquid version of the muscat or lychee flavored ones, (not to cheapen it by likening it to a sugary candy). It’s a wonderful treat and a nice change from a kir royale (cassis liqueur and champagne) which can many times over power the champagne. St. Germain melds with the champagne rather than overpowers whatever it is mixed with.
So after all the praise, let’s get down to it. A 750 ml bottle of this will run you around $32-34. With that, you get an intricately designed bottle and pamphlet. Is this a great value? Probably not, since you can get a same size bottle of Chambord, a black currant liqueur, for around $28. But it’s just not the same! It’s not exorbitant though considering it is artisanal and reserved for special occasions and will most likely just be a nice addition to your liquor cabinet. But unlike Chambord, the bottle seems so now and display worthy in one’s home. It’s modern and nostalgic, while the funny little crown on the Chambord bottle seems so outdated and has always reminded me of a cheap scepter for a Halloween costume. Every design snob and foodie should have a bottle of St. Germain. It’s available online at Morrel wine, if you can’t find it locally, and would make a lovely gift.
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