Happy Friday, gang! There’s something about April that makes you want to actually enjoy a Friday evening outside. The days are longer, the pollen has subsided, the air is warmer, and somehow everything feels a little more worth savoring. That’s the energy we’re bringing to Fridays with Oscar this week.
We’re pouring an Elderflower Collins — a gin cocktail with elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and a splash of sparkling water that is as light and lovely as a spring evening deserves. And alongside it, we have sugar snap peas tossed in a sesame ginger glaze that is sweet, savory, and just a little bit addictive. It’s the kind of appetizer that disappears before dinner even starts.
What You’ll Find in Today’s Post
🌸 Elderflower Collins
If you haven’t cocktailed with elderflower liqueur, consider this your introduction — and your new spring obsession. Elderflower liqueur has a delicate floral sweetness that pairs beautifully with gin’s herbal complexity and bright lemon juice.
Topped with sparkling water, the result is a cocktail that feels almost impossibly refreshing. Elegant without being fussy, and pretty enough to make Friday feel like an occasion.
If you’re interested in something equally light, but with less floral flavor, try our Cucumber Gin & Tonic
FAQS – Elderflower Collins
It’s delicately floral and lightly sweet — think fresh spring blossoms with a hint of citrus. It’s not perfumey or overpowering; it’s surprisingly subtle and pairs beautifully with gin’s botanical notes.
Sparkling water lets the elderflower and gin shine through more cleanly and keeps things lighter. Tonic adds a pleasant bitter edge that plays really nicely with the floral notes. Either is wonderful — it just depends on your preference.
Absolutely. Combine the gin, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice in a pitcher and refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour over ice and top each glass with sparkling water or tonic to order.
A London Dry gin works beautifully here — its clean, juniper-forward character is a perfect partner for the elderflower. A more floral or citrus-forward gin would also be gorgeous if that’s what you have on hand.
Yes! Swap the gin for a non-alcoholic botanical spirit or simply use a little more sparkling water with a splash of white grape juice. The elderflower liqueur contributes most of the flavor, so the drink still feels special without the alcohol.
Elderflower Collins Recipe Card
Elderflower Collins
Ingredients:
- 4 oz gin
- 2 oz elderflower liqueur such as St-Germain
- 2 oz fresh lemon juice
- 4 oz sparkling water or tonic water
- Ice
- 2 lemon slices for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill two glasses with ice.
- Add 2 oz gin and 1 oz elderflower liqueur to each glass.
- Squeeze 1 oz fresh lemon juice into each glass and stir gently to combine.
- Top each with 2 oz sparkling water or tonic and give one final gentle stir.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
🥢 Sugar Snap Peas with Sesame and Ginger
This appetizer is proof that the simplest things are often the most impressive. Crisp, sweet sugar snap peas tossed in a warm sesame ginger glaze — soy sauce, fresh ginger, toasted sesame oil, a touch of honey, and a splash of rice vinegar — and finished with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. It comes together in minutes, looks absolutely beautiful on a plate, and pairs perfectly with that Collins in hand. Spring entertaining has never been this easy.
This is a great appetizer and would be a great starter for our full meal: Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken
FAQS – Sugar Snap Peas with Sesame and Ginger
You don’t have to, but we recommend it. A quick blanch brightens their color, takes the raw edge off, and makes them just tender enough to soak up the glaze beautifully — while keeping that satisfying crunch.
Yes! Blanch the snap peas and make the glaze up to a day ahead, storing them separately in the fridge. Toss together and bring to room temperature about 20 minutes before serving.
Let it simmer a minute or two longer, stirring constantly, and it will thicken up nicely as it cools. You can also whisk in a very small cornstarch slurry (½ tsp cornstarch dissolved in 1 tsp water) for a more lacquered finish.
Absolutely. Broccolini, green beans, or asparagus all work beautifully with this glaze. The sesame ginger combination is endlessly versatile.
Not as written, since soy sauce contains gluten. Swap in tamari or coconut aminos for an easy gluten-free version with virtually no difference in flavor.
Sugar Snap Peas with Sesame and Ginger Recipe Card
Sugar Snap Peas with Sesame and Ginger
Ingredients:
- 1 lb fresh sugar snap peas strings removed
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger finely grated
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions thinly sliced, for garnish
- Pinch of red pepper flakes optional
Instructions:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Blanch the snap peas for 60–90 seconds, until bright green and just tender but still crisp. Drain immediately and transfer to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Pat dry and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the glaze has thickened slightly and is fragrant.
- Toss the snap peas with the warm sesame ginger glaze until evenly coated.
- Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve at room temperature.
Did you make this recipe?
We’d love to see! Tag us @styleatacertainage
🐾 Oscar and Ollie
Ollie has a look she reserves for certain moments — a low, purposeful stalk across the carpet, green eyes locked and fully focused, tail sweeping behind her like she means business. We don’t always know what she’s after. We’ve learned not to ask. Whatever it is, she is absolutely certain she will catch it, and she would like everyone to please stay out of her way.
When she’s not stalking us, she’s nibbling my fresh flowers…check out our Easter post to see her in her most mischievous mode: Peach Bellini & Deviled Eggs
And then there’s Oscar. This photo — him standing tall in the backyard with his beloved ball clamped proudly in his mouth, ears up, eyes bright — is pure, perfect Oscar. He was always ready to play, always certain the ball was the most important thing in any room, and always the very best boy. We carry him with us into every Friday, every weekend, every season. 🐾
Our Spring Outfits
Beth’s Look
All white, done right. There is something so effortlessly chic about a head-to-toe white look in spring, and this one earns every bit of that reputation. The Goldie Tee in Stripe adds just enough subtle texture to keep the white-on-white interesting — the tonal stripe catches the light beautifully without breaking the clean, monochromatic line.
Shop Beth’s Look
Mother White Denim brings the structure, and a woven straw belt with a round buckle adds that warm, natural element that keeps the look from feeling stark. Raffia platform slide sandals are the perfect finishing touch — casual, summery, and just elevated enough. This is the outfit you wear when you want to look like you tried, without trying at all.
Shop Beth’s Look
Kelly’s Look
Spring color done with a confident, easy hand. A camel short-sleeve polo sweater is one of those quietly perfect pieces — it has just enough polish to feel intentional without taking itself too seriously. Paired with the J.McLaughlin Ivy Pants in a soft sky blue, the warm-cool color combination is genuinely one of my favorites — the kind of pairing that looks carefully considered but feels completely natural.
Shop Kelly’s Look
Easy summer flip-flops keep the whole look relaxed and right for a spring evening on the porch. Effortless and fresh.
Looking for more petite and regular Spring fashion inspiration? Check out our: First Day of Spring Post
Shop Kelly’s Outfit
Cheers to a Beautiful Spring Weekend!
Until next Friday, ladies — pour something floral, put out something beautiful, and let yourself enjoy the season. Spring goes fast. We’re savoring every bit of it.
With Love, Beth, Kelly, Ollie…and always Oscar
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