Robert J. Cooper, Creator Of St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Dies at the Age of 39

The spirit world had a huge loss today. You’ve all had the wildly popular St. Germain elderflower liqueur at some point in your lives. Have you ever wondered about the man behind it? 

Robert J. Cooper launched the popular spirit back in 2007. Sadly, he passed away on Monday in Santa Monica, California, at the young age of 39. The cause of his death has not yet been determined. He is survived by his wife and two children. 

Back in 2007, Cooper launched St. Germain, packaged in a distinctive Art Deco-style bottle which found instant success. 

The Times notes that it became so ubiquitous, some took to calling it “bartender’s ketchup.” The sweet spirit is made from hand-picked elderflower blossoms that only bloom for a month each spring in France; it has been heralded as one of the most influential new cocktail ingredients of the past decade.

His brand Cooper Spirits also makes Crème Yvette, a violet liqueur brought back from obscurity, and serves as the U.S. sales arm for Ilegal brand mezcal. The St. Germain brand was acquired by Bacardi in 2012.