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
The Hugo Spritz is an effervescent co*cktail that combines prosecco, elderflower liqueur, seltzer, lime, and mint. Its flavor is delicate and refreshing making it the perfect aperitivo to any meal.
What makes prosecco taste better? ›
Add a fruity punch to your Prosecco by adding grapefruit - sort of like a prosecco grapefruit mimosa. Juice the grapefruits and then mix with the chilled Prosecco in a large jug. Stir in your favourite sweetener (add according to taste, trying it as you go).
What do you mix prosecco with? ›
A few of my favorite things to add with prosecco are cranberry juice, pineapple juice, pomegranate juice, orange juice, vodka, orange liqueur, cranberries, oranges, and pomegranate seeds.
What is the Italian version of St Germain? ›
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.
Is St-Germain the same as elderflower? ›
St‑Germain is a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers, hand-picked once a year in the late spring. To accomplish its exquisitely natural flavor, every bottle of St‑Germain contains up to 1,000 of the very best elderflower blossoms, resulting in a finely crafted, perfectly balanced and refined liqueur.
Does spritz mean Prosecco? ›
Ultimately, the idea of combining white wine with soda water became the whole Spritz meaning. Traditionally, Prosecco is the wine of choice for a Spritz.
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 is the most popular Prosecco drink? ›
Aperol Spritz
Because of its light and bubbly nature, many people love to have it on hot summer nights. If you want to create a seasonal menu for your restaurant and you need great summer offers, don't skip the Aperol Spritz. It will probably be among the most ordered drinks.
How to pimp your Prosecco? ›
Fresh fruit is also great in Prosecco so we've included bowls of raspberries, strawberries, and the prettiest jeweled pomegranate seeds. Make sure you also have some delicate spoons and a pair of tongs so that people can mix their drinks without making a mess.
What pairs nicely with Prosecco? ›
Here are some of our favourites: Antipasti: think lightly salted items, like fresh seafood or cured meats, such as wafer-thin Prosciutto or Parma ham to bring out the delicate floral notes of Prosecco. Serve alongside Italian breads, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. And don't forget the olives!
Say cheers with a poinsettia co*cktail, a classy mix of triple sec, prosecco and cranberry juice, garnished with a fresh bay leaf.
What fruit goes well with Prosecco? ›
try adding a topping of Passion Fruit and Mango sorbet to your Prosecco for a treat. Pomegranates are great to nibble on - but they're even better in a bellini. Serve the traditional way in a glass, or try our frozen take on a classic fruity co*cktail.
Why is St-Germain so good? ›
The wild, natural sweetness of fresh, handpicked elderflowers gives St Germain a transformative flavour; indulgent, yet delicate with a fresh natural sweetness and notes of pear and honeysuckle.
What is a substitute for elderflower liqueur? ›
The essence of up to one thousand elderflowers can be found in each Belle Epoque-style bottle of St-Germain! You can substitute St-Germain with Giffard Fleur de Sureau Sauvage, St. Elder, and RoomeR Elderflower Aperitif.
What is Italian Sambuca? ›
Sambuca is a colourless liqueur obtained by steam distillation of the seeds of star anise and fennel. Originally the recipe included also the distillation of elderflowers, hence the name, but today only pure alcohol, water, sugar, anise and fennel are used.
What is another name for elderflower liqueur? ›
St‑Germain is a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers, handpicked in full bloom every spring.
What is an elderflower spray? ›
A pamper product that is sure to become a handbag essential. These Body Mist's are perfect for refreshment throughout the day, just throw one in your gym bag, hand bag or school bag. The I LOVE Signature Elderflower Fizz body mist is a sweet, floral & fresh floral fragrance. Claims.
What is the difference between St Germain spritz and Aperol Spritz? ›
The St-Germain co*cktail employs a similar strategy as the Aperol Spritz. Both pair a low-ABV liqueur with sparkling wine and club soda for ultimate refreshment. But the Aperol Spritz chooses Italian-made prosecco, while the St-Germain co*cktail often features Champagne for an extra French flair.
What are the two types of spritz? ›
But it's not too late to enjoy two iconic summertime apéritifs: the Aperol Spritz and the Campari Spritz. These refreshing co*cktails are made with Prosecco mingled with the bitter liqueur and topped off with a splash of mineral water, served on the rocks, typically with a slice of orange.
