Craving a refreshing classic gin cocktail? This Floradora Recipe is the perfect balance of fresh lime juice, gin, homemade raspberry syrup, and bubbly ginger beer. This beautiful pink drink is simple with layers of flavor.

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These lovely pink cocktails are the perfect summer sip. They'd also be great for Mother's Day, any spring gathering, or even Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day, birthday parties, or even baby showers with their whimsical look and stunning pink color!
Edible flower petals and floral ice cubes bring it to the next level, making it extra fun for gatherings or special occasions.
Looking for more gin cocktails? Love floral notes in a drink? Try these floral gin sips with this elderflower collins, this love potion cocktail, or this lavender gin cocktail.
You may also want to try some fruity gin creations like this blueberry gin cocktail, this pomegranate gin cocktail, or this blood orange gin cocktail made with fresh blood oranges!
Love raspberry drinks in particular? Try this raspberry martini, this raspberry mule, or this raspberry mojito!
We know you'll love this magical color-changing butterfly pea tea lemonade!
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❤️Why we love this recipe
- Refreshing. The Floradora is a refreshing cocktail, making it an excellent choice for a summer drink. The combination of fresh lime juice, raspberry syrup, and ginger beer creates a thirst-quenching, fizzy sip.
- Simple ingredients. Made with familiar ingredients that can be found at any grocery store!
- Easy to make. The Floradora is a simple drink to put together. It's easy and approachable if you're just learning more about mixing up drinks at your home bar.
- Balanced flavors. The Floradora is a well-balanced cocktail. It blends the botanicals of gin with the tanginess of lime, the sweetness of fresh raspberry syrup, and the spice of ginger beer, creating a well-rounded and easy-to-enjoy drink.
- Aesthetically pleasing. A beautiful, vibrant pink cocktail, making it not just tasty but also visually appealing.
🌸Ingredients
Here are the ingredients we used for this recipe. You can find more information for substitutions below.
- Raspberry simple syrup - We make our own raspberry syrup with fresh raspberries that's ready in under 30 minutes. Just make sure it has time to cool completely before adding it to the drink, or you will melt the ice.
- Lime juice
- Gin - The best gin to use is your favorite gin! Ours happens to be Empress 1908 gin, with its stunning hue and botanical flavors that complement the drink so nicely.
- Ginger beer
- Ice
Visit the recipe card for the full quantities and nutritional information.
✨Substitutions & variations
Here are a few suggestions on additional flavors to try, or simple variations to this recipe.
- Swap the liquor. If gin isn't your thing, you can substitute it with vodka, white rum, or tequila.
- Use a different fruit syrup. Raspberry syrup is the traditional ingredient, but you can also try using your favorite fruit syrup, like this blueberry simple syrup.
- Swap the ginger beer. You can also use ginger ale instead of ginger beer if you'd like.
- Boozier. Instead of raspberry syrup, you can use some black raspberry liqueur like Chambord.
- Drier version. For a less sweet version of this cocktail, swap the ginger beer for club soda.
- Swap the citrus. You can swap lime juice for lemon juice, though lime juice is what is used in the classic cocktail.
- Mocktail. For a non-alcoholic version, simply omit the gin.
🔪Prep work
- If making the raspberry syrup on the day of, be sure to do this first to give it time to chill.
- Squeeze the lime juice.
- Chill the ginger beer.
📋Instructions
In a cocktail shaker or cocktail mixing glass, add gin. (Image 1)
Pour in the lime juice. (Image 2)
Next, add the raspberry simple syrup. (Image 3)
Add ice, and stir to chill. (Image 4)
Strain into a glass with ice. We love using floral ice cubes for extra flair! (Image 5)
✨Pro Tip: Style the drink in your favorite glass, just make sure it has plenty of room for liquid and ice. The classic cocktail is served in a highball glass or a Collins glass. We used some modern white wine glasses for an elevated look and feel.
Top with ginger beer. (Image 6)
Garnish with a lime wheel, edible flowers, or a fresh raspberry on a cocktail pick. Enjoy! Some of our favorite edible flowers include roses, carnations, chamomile, and violas (pictured). Here is some more information on edible flowers.
✨Tips & tricks
- Sweeten to taste. Add more or less raspberry simple syrup and/or ginger beer to make this drink suit your tastebuds.
- Use homemade raspberry syrup. You can certainly use raspberry liqueur if that's easier, but nothing quite beats the flavor of fresh raspberry simple syrup!
- Don't add ginger beer or serving ice until just before serving. Or else the drink will end up tasting watered down, and/or flat.
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💭Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is best enjoyed right away, and we don't recommend storing leftovers once everything is all mixed, as the drink will go flat and get watered down.
However, if needed, store leftovers in the fridge for a few hours.
Yes, definitely! To make a large batch for a crowd, simply pre-mix lime juice, raspberry syrup, and gin in advance. When it's time to serve, pour it over ice in a pitcher, then add ginger beer.
You can also allow guests to pour the drink mixture themselves, and then they can top it off with ginger beer to their liking.
Just make sure not to pre-mix the ginger beer, or this will cause the drink to lose its carbonation.
The Floradora cocktail is named after a Broadway musical comedy called "Florodora" which debuted in 1899. The show was a huge success both in New York City and London and was particularly notable for its group of female performers, known as the "Floradora Girls," who were tall, stunning, and wore eye-catching frilly pink dresses.
The popularity of the Floradora girls extended to popular culture, including beverages. As a result, this gin-based cocktail was named after the musical to capitalize on its success and appeal.
The cocktail itself was supposedly invented at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, a popular location for both Broadway performers and patrons. The fresh, fruity flavor and deep pink color might have been seen as mirroring the vibrant, lively nature of the "Florodora" musical and its performers.
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📖 Recipe
Floradora Cocktail
Equipment
- cocktail shaker or mixing glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lime
- 1 ounce raspberry simple syrup
- 2.5 ounces ginger beer
Instructions
- In a mixing glass or cocktail shaker, add gin, followed by lime juice, raspberry syrup, and ice. Mix or shaker to chill.
- Strain into cocktail glasses with ice, then top off with ginger beer. Add a lime wheel, edible flowers, and/or a fresh raspberry for garnish. Enjoy!
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Notes
- To make a large batch, simply pre-mix lime juice, raspberry syrup, and gin in advance. When it's time to serve, pour the mixture over ice in a pitcher, then add ginger beer.
- You can also allow guests to pour the pre-mixed drink themselves, and then they can top it off with ginger beer to their liking.
- In any instance, just make sure not to pre-mix the ginger beer, or this will cause the drink to lose its carbonation.
- Add raspberry syrup and ginger beer to taste according to your preferences.
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