Updated: July 9, 2025 by Mariah. Published: October 29, 2020.
For those who enjoy a generous splash of bitters to balance out their bourbon, the Skeleton Key cocktail is the key to your heart. Even with the delicious fall flavors of Elderflower liqueur and ginger beer, this refreshing cocktail is perfect for every season.
If you’d like more Halloween-themed cocktail ideas, try MK Library’s Fright Night in the Grove cocktail with the deadly combination of Jägermeister and tequila.
Table of Contents
The original cocktail was created by Travis Fourmont, head bartender at Michael Symon’s Roast in Detroit, and modified to reduce the amount of bitters. The original calls for 8 dashes – so if you’re a fan, don’t be shy about adding some more.
“I served it for a couple of days before I came up with the name. The rusty color of the drink made me think of the skeleton keys that opened the old locks in my grandparent’s house.”
Ingredient Breakdown
Elderflower Liqueur – This is a fresh, fragrant and sometimes tropical-smelling liqueur that is made from the delicate white elderflower blossoms. One of the more popular brands of elderflower liqueur is St. Germain, which is made by soaking thousands of tiny hand-picked blossoms. This liqueur is often paired with champagne or in gin cocktails.
Ginger Beer – The best types of ginger beer in my opinion are the strong kinds with less sugar and real bits of ginger. The Fever-Tree brand makes a great natural ginger beer that is more natural than many other brands.
Angostura Bitters – A classic concentrated alcoholic mixture of herbs and spices used to flavor cocktails.
Skeleton Key Cocktail
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fill a Tom Collins glass with ice.
- Pour in the bourbon, elderflower, and lemon juice in that order.
- Top with the ginger beer.
- Add bitters on top.
- Use your straw to gently stir, leaving the ingredients not fully mixed. Serve.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
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I strive to paint vivid landscapes with my words, bringing the magic of far-off lands and enchanting aromas to life for my readers. Combine passion for exploration and the art of gastronomy in an unending ode to the senses. When I’m not traversing the globe, I find solace in the earth beneath my fingertips, tending to my garden and working on projects around my verdant oasis. MK Library serves as a beacon, guiding fellow travelers and homebodies alike to embrace sustainability, nurturing both our planet and our souls with purpose. Full Bio.
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