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
Here are our favorite Prosecco co*cktail recipes.
- 01 of 11. Sgroppino. Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon. ...
- 02 of 11. Apple Cider Aperol Spritz. ...
- 03 of 11. Bellini. ...
- 04 of 11. Aperol Spritz. ...
- 05 of 11. Negroni Sbagliato. ...
- 06 of 11. Sirene Spritz. ...
- 07 of 11. Pumpkin Spice Shrub Spritz. ...
- 08 of 11. Rosemary Amaro Spritz.
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.
Why is it called a Hugo Spritz? ›
While elderflower-based tonics likely existed prior to the official Hugo, the name Hugo spritz is frequently credited to Italian bartender Roland Gruber. Little is known about why he called it the Hugo, other than it won out over an alternative moniker of Otto spritz.
What are chambord and Prosecco called? ›
Chambord Bellini is a delicious, easy co*cktail recipe made with Prosecco and Chambord Liqueur. It's a light, refreshing, and bubbly sipper that's sophisticated and perfect for festive gatherings.
What pairs well with Prosecco? ›
It tends to be a bit sweeter than Champagne and pairs well with seafood, savory cheeses, cured meats and fruits. Try it with a sweet-and-salty appetizer like Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates! Prosecco is also delicious with Asian dishes such as Thai noodles or sushi.
How to jazz up Prosecco? ›
Prosecco pomander
Combine the juice of one clementine with one part Cointreau and three parts prosecco in a champagne glass or tumbler. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary and a slice of clementine studded with cloves.
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.
What does St-Germain pair well with? ›
St-Germain can add sweetness and citrusy, floral hints to any drink. It pairs well with spirits like gin, vodka and tequila, as well as with fruity flavors. It can also be enjoyed by itself as an aperitif.
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 a Capri spritz? ›
Made of pomegranate juice and cranberry shrub, lemongrass and gentian extract, Capri Spritz is an effervescent aperitif similar to an Italian Spritz. The caffeine free tea and lemongrass create a nice balance, while the agave compliments the tart and the bitter.
The Hugo co*cktail is the Italian cousin of the classic St‑Germain Spritz. The addition of mint and lime brings bright and zesty aroma to this refreshing elderflower co*cktail.
What is the drink of the summer Forbes? ›
To make the drink of the summer, fill a wine glass halfway with ice, pour in 1/2 ounce of elderflower liqueur—like St-Germain—or syrup if you want a version with less booze, then top with 4 ounces of prosecco and one ounce of sparkling water.
What are the bubbles in Prosecco called? ›
Carbon dioxide is the name of the gas that causes bubbles in sparkling wine. The gas is dissolved into the liquid and kept trapped by the pressure inside the closed bottle.
Why do you put raspberries in Prosecco? ›
This Raspberry Limoncello Prosecco drink is so refreshing and great year-round! The fresh taste of lemon can easily be enjoyed in the warmer spring and summer months while the raspberries add a nice touch for the holiday season too!
What is the fancy name for Prosecco? ›
It's called “Glera,” and it's the one that dates back to Roman times. Proseccco can also be made with Perera, Bianchetta, and Verdiso, and heavy hitters like Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. But Glera's the grandpapa of Prosecco.
What is the best way to serve Prosecco? ›
Prosecco is a wine that releases its best qualities when young, and it is usually best enjoyed between eighteen and twenty-four months after bottling. Prosecco should be served at a temperature between 6 and 7°C. It can then be stored in the fridge, before serving, but only for a few hours.
What can I pimp my Prosecco with? ›
Your favourite juices and cordials such as elderflower, rhubarb, pomegranate, and cherry cordials work great with prosecco. And for the juice, why not choose a tropical or mango flavour to create a super fruity and refreshing glass to enjoy? Or even go with both. Fresh or frozen fruit for flavour and garnish!
Can you mix Prosecco with co*ke? ›
co*cktails such as the Aperol Spritz (Aperol, club soda, Prosecco) or the French 75 (gin, Champagne, lemon juice) or — brunch favorite — the mimosa (orange juice, Champagne), the Bellini (peach juice, Prosecco), all combine flavored liqueurs or juices with bubbly. And using co*ke in a co*cktail can be commonplace, too.
What is the viral drink with Prosecco? ›
In the original video (which has well over 20 million views) Cooke asks D'Arcy "what's your drink of choice?" D'Arcy responds slowly, "A Negroni," but adds a key distinction: "Sbagliato, with prosecco in it." Cooke's fabulously British response, "Oh stunning" sums up the glamor and elegance of the classic (now totally ...
