The Floradora is a classic gin cocktail made with raspberry syrup, lime juice, and ginger ale. It’s fruity, refreshing, and a very pretty pink, too!
I’m not sure why the Floradora isn’t a better known gin cocktail because it’s delicious, easy on the eyes, and made with readily available ingredients.
Fun fact: the Floradora was invented in the early 1900s and named for a popular Broadway musical.
A floral twist on a classic gin cocktail
I added a mist of rosewater to my Raspberry Rose Floradora for a floral variation that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, spring time, or any time really.
Gin and floral flavors work wonderfully together, and raspberry + rose is a personal favorite flavor combination of mine. If you like crisp, long gin cocktails, this is one to try.
How to make the quick raspberry syrup
To make an easy and fresh-tasting raspberry syrup, combine 1 part sugar with 1 part hot water and stir until all of the sugar has dissolved. As soon as the mixture becomes clear, but while it’s still hot, add 2 parts raspberries and muddle thoroughly.
Allow the mix to cool, then strain through a fine mesh sieve. Store your raspberry syrup in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Get even more details and tips in my Raspberry Simple Syrup Recipe.
If you prefer a more jammy flavor and a deeper color to your raspberry syrup, you can heat the sugar, water, and berries in a saucepan on the stove until the berries begin to break down.
Allow it to cool, then strain. I love the fresh-muddled method syrup for my Floradora, and I also like how quick and easy it is to make when you’re short on time! (For an even quicker fix, you can use raspberry or black raspberry liqueurs like Chambord.)
Another great (and even easier) muddled berry cocktail is my Fresh Strawberry Margarita!
Floradora ingredients
This Floradora riff is made with a simple mix of:
Gin
You can make this cocktail with pretty much any kind of gin. Floral gins are a natural fit, but London dry is wonderful too. I used the citrusy Drumshanbo Sardinian Citrus Gunpowder Gin to offset the sweet, floral, and spice notes. Some fun floral gins to try are Uncle Val’s Botanical Gin, Hana Gin, and Nolet’s.
Raspberry simple syrup
You can make your own (very easily, see above!) or buy a raspberry syrup from a quality brand like Liber & Co. They make a full range of cocktail syrups that are all excellent. Buy it on Amazon.
Lime juice
You don’t need much lime juice, just about a half ounce. Just make sure it’s freshly squeezed! Bottled lime juice has no place in this (or any other) cocktail!
Ginger ale
The better the ginger ale you choose, the better this drink will be. Fever-Tree and Q Mixers are excellent choices and easy to find at your local grocery store or on Amazon.
Rosewater
You can find rosewater at the grocery store in the spice aisle or in a Middle Eastern foods section. Rosewater is a potent liquid by product of the essential oil distillation process. Just a very small amount goes a long way, adding the clean, floral aroma of fresh roses to food and drink.
Make it a mocktail
The Floradora is one of the easiest classic gin cocktails to turn into mocktail. Simply omit the gin and you have a non-alcoholic drink with layers of flavor that’s much more interesting than sipping on soda water.
You may also enjoy these other refreshing cocktails:
- Tom Collins
- Cherry Batanga
- The Perfect Gin and Tonic
- Pink Coconut Mojito
- AMF Cocktail (Long Island Iced Tea Riff)
Raspberry & Rose Floradora
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1/2 oz raspberry syrup
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- ginger ale
- rosewater
Instructions
- Mist a tall glass with rosewater (or add a scant 1/4 tsp if you don't have a mister). Fill the glass with ice.
- Add gin, syrup, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker and fill 3/4 with ice.
- Shake until chilled, about 12 seconds. Strain into the glass and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a raspberry, an edible rose, and sprig of mint.
This recipe was first posted February 6, 2020 and last updated March 16, 2022.
