St. Elder Cordials
American cordials from M.S. Walker, made for mixing since 1933.
The story behind St. Elder
St. Elder is made in Somerville, Massachusetts by M.S. Walker, a rectifier and distributor founded in 1933 by Maurice S. Walker. The flagship elderflower cordial draws its flavor from fresh extracts of the American elder, Sambucus Canadensis, picked when the blossoms open in late spring.
Each batch is small, and the flowers go through a controlled extraction before infusing into a neutral spirit and sugar base. Nothing sees oak. That is deliberate: no barrel time means the bright, volatile aromas of the blossom and fruit stay where they belong, in the bottle. We have poured these alongside the French imports for years, and the price gap still surprises people.
Explore the St. Elder range
Five expressions, all unaged, all built on a clean grain neutral base. Elderflower leads, but blood orange and espresso earn their shelf space.
| Expression | Type | Proof / ABV | Tasting notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Elder Elderflower | Floral cordial | 40 proof | Elder blossom, light citrus, clean finish |
| St. Elder Blood Orange | Fruit cordial | 40 proof | Bitter orange peel, juicy pulp, faint sweetness |
| St. Elder Espresso | Coffee cordial | 40 proof | Roasted bean, dark cocoa, dry finish |
| St. Elder Hazelnut | Nut cordial | 40 proof | Toasted hazelnut, vanilla, soft caramel |
| St. Elder Pamplemousse | Citrus cordial | 40 proof | Grapefruit zest, pith, bright acidity |
Which St. Elder is right for you?
The full 750mL lineup sits at $19.99, and the 50mL Pamplemousse is $1.59, which makes trying a new bottle a low risk. Compare that to the French elderflower bottles behind the counter and the math gets obvious fast. We keep blood orange, espresso and hazelnut on the shelf; elderflower comes in and out, so call ahead or ask us to check stock before you drive over. Buy St. Elder online and pick it up curbside in Commack the same day it is ordered.
Splashes into gin, prosecco and sours without drowning the base spirit.
Makes a mimosa or spritz taste intentional, and the bottle lasts.
Neat over ice after dinner, or stirred into an espresso martini.
St. Elder cocktails and pairings
Pour these cold and keep the food simple. The floral and citrus bottles want salt and acid; the espresso and hazelnut want butter and cream.