Nancy cocktail recipe

In our eyes, the Gin and Tonic is perfect, but that doesn't mean we’re not allowed to experiment with other options. The Nancy is one such experiment and our hypothesis was correct – it’s utterly delicious. With elderflower’s floral sweetness, gin's juniper and botanicals, and lemon tonic’s citrus acidity, the Nancy keeps everything balanced.

With just three ingredients – plus a garnish – this simple cocktail is both easy and quick to make. It takes a regular gin and tonic and ups the stakes, adding in elderflower cordial and switching out a regular tonic for bitter lemon. What do these changes achieve? Well, they add a super-refreshing twist to the gin, making it our new favourite when the weather’s warm, and we think it'll become one of your favourites, too.

Elderflower is quickly becoming a firm favourite in the cocktail world, already featuring prominently on many menus as an Elderflower Spritz, AKA the Hugo Spritz. It’s floral and fragrant with subtle pear flavours, making it an excellent addition in small quantities. Just ask Meghan Markle and Harry, whose wedding cake was a lemon and elderflower sponge, so you know this cocktail’s flavour combination is doing everything right.

Gin selection is key when mixing a Nancy and we recommend a classic London Dry Gin. These gins must be redistilled using traditional copper stills, made from natural botanicals and unsweetened, meaning the dominant flavour is usually juniper. Using London Dry Gin ensures every ingredient is playing its part and there’s nothing to distract from the intended flavour.

If you’re avoiding alcohol for whatever reason, the Nancy makes for a great mocktail option and doesn't require any additional ingredients, or any more sugar, to be added to the original recipe. Simply choose a non-alcoholic gin to mix with your cordial and tonic, giving you the same effect without the alcohol. This way, it makes for a perfectly acceptable morning drink, particularly when you’re in the garden pulling weeds or mowing the lawn.