I clearly admit I know my way around an Ikea way too well. Here in Italy we waited a long long time for one to open and now, with two in Rome and one soon to open in Umbria, I am all set. My office owes a great debt to Ikea, as does recent updates to our house in Umbria (sheets, towels and various kitchen gadgets).
While I can load up a cart with way too much stuff I really don’t need as well as the next girl, what I always save room for is the food department. In Rome it’s located in an area after you check out. My sister tells me it’s not that good in the States? But maybe she just doesn’t appreciate it because you can get all those weird Swedish packaged foods almost anywhere. Here in Italy they are still a bit ‘exotic.’ 
Of course I always load up on smoked salmon, herring and deer proscuitto. There are also cookies and mustards. But what really weighs me down are the vodkas. At 9 euros a bottle it’s not only cheaper than anything I can get at the local supermarket, it’s also better.
I’m also a sucker for brightly colored jars of stuff. Jams, yes. But last time I was there I picked up a bottle of Saft Flader. I didn’t know what it was, but since it had a gorgeous photo of elder flowers on it, I thought “why not?”
You know those Ikea Hacker sites where people post the wonderfully creative things they do with boring Ikea tables? Well, I think my ‘hack’, using Svensk Vodka and Saft Flader is oh so much better.
I’ve been wanting a gimlet ever since it got hot out. I refuse to use Rose’s Lime Juice, but was all out of fresh limes. I also didn’t feel like making sugar syrup. My solution was the Ikea Elderflower Gimlet. Here follows the recipe. Enjoy!
Ikea Elderflower Gimlet
2 1/2 oz of Svensk Vodka
3/4 oz of Saft Flader*
1 oz of lemon juice
Pour ingredients into shaker, add ice. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Of course, ideally you want to garnish with a fresh Elderflower (Sambuca here in Italy) but since they only flower in May/June, you’ll have to use something else. I used a sprig of jasmine which was awful pretty (and added to the wonderful perfume).
*I’m not sure that Ikea carries this in other countries. A brief search turned up this source for Elderflower Syrup: German Deli.
Elizabeth’s Newsletter from Italy
Sign up here for my newsletter! It’s full of fun information, travel tips, links to what I’m reading and doing, advance notice of my culinary tours, and reading events. Premium subscribers also have access to my new podcast, online events, and discounts and offers for some of my favorite tableware.
I just bought a bottle myself because I couldn’t find the French liquor St. Germaine (made with edlerflowers) anywhere. Apparently St. Germaine is very hip right now in the States.
I made a vodka tonic and added some of the Elderflower syrup. It was excellent.
I believe IKEA does carry the syrup in the US. I saw recipes for it on Apartment Therapy and their sister site, The Kitchn.
They do carry the Elderflower syrup in North America. I buy it at Ikea all the time. On my last visit to the US I bought St Germain, although I have to say I like the Ikea stuff better. Up with Elderflowers!
St. Germaine is so very expensive!!! I just saw the Elderflower concentrate at IKEA. Cocktails was all I could think of! However it’s called Dryck Fladder. Different than our Italian friend. I wonder what the difference might be?
No difference, just different label.
Thanks Alexa and Arlene, for the heads up about Elderflower syrup!