10% off next order when you Subscribe to our Newsletter

Easy Homemade Elderflower Cordial

By

The enchanting aroma and delicate flavors of elderflowers make them a perfect ingredient for making this easy and refreshing cordial, perfect for hot summer days. In this article, I will take you through a step-by-step process of capturing the essence of these blossoms, infusing them into a delightful cordial that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for a variety of culinary delights. Join me and create an easy homemade elderflower cordial that will invigorate your senses and leave you craving more of its floral magic.

INGREDIENTS

25-30 elderflower heads

2 lemons

1,5 kg granulated sugar

1,5 l boiling water

50 grams citric acid

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL

Preparations
  1. Pick just open flowers that fragrant and fresh (white or pink flowers both works well). Gently shake the elderflower heads to remove any insects or debris.
  2. Trim away most of the thick stems, leaving just a small portion attached to the flower heads.
  3. Wash the lemons under hot water. Slice finely.

TIP: If you are making marmalade with the leftover lemon slices after the elderflower cordial is bottled, make sure to remove all pips or seeds before slicing.

Make the elderflower infusion
  1. Place the elderflower heads and sliced lemons in a large clean bowl or a bucket.
  2. Pour the boiling water over the ingredients and stir well.
  3. Cover the bowl, place it cool and let it steep for 24-48 hours at room temperature. Stir once or twice a day.

TIP: Do not leave for longer as mould might form on the surface.

Straining, sweetening and bottling elderflower cordial
  1. Line a fine mesh sieve or a muslin cloth over a large bowl or jug.
  2. Carefully pour the elderflower mixture through the sieve. Allow the liquid to strain into the container. Squeeze the flowers and zest to extract as much flavor as possible.
  3. Measure the strained liquid and pour it into a large bowl and add the citric acid.
  4. For every liter of liquid, add 1 kilo of granulated sugar.
  5. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely. (It’ll take a bit of stirring, but don’t give up! It’s worth it in the end!)
  6. Sterilize glass bottles or jars by washing them with hot soapy water, rinsing well, and then placing them in a low oven to dry. Leave bottles rest until cool enough to handle.
  7. Carefully pour the elderflower cordial into the sterilized bottles and seal the bottles tightly.
  8. Store the elderflower cordial in a cool, dark place, such as the pantry of fridge. It will keep for several months if properly stored.

To serve, dilute the cordial with sparkling or still water, adjusting the ratio to suit your taste.

TIP 1

You can freeze elderflowers to make cordial and infusions. Simply pick, shake out any passengers, place in a bag or container and freeze

TIP 2

Make sure to leave plenty of flowers on your favourite elderflower bush. They will turn into berries which are highly nutritious for both you and other animals to enjoy

TIP 3

Remember to always properly identify elderflowers before using them in recipes and be cautious if you have any known allergies or sensitivities.

Other things you can make with elderflowers

Elderflowers, the creamy white flowers of the elderberry shrub (Sambucus nigra), possess a remarkable fragrance that is both floral and subtly citrusy. They bloom for a short period in late spring and early summer, offering a brief window of opportunity to harvest their flowers and capture their essence in culinary creations. Known for their versatility, elderflowers can be made into a range of delicious treats, from drinks and desserts to unique condiments and infusions.

Also try these:
  • Elderflowers fritters: dip elderflowers in pancake batter and fry. Serve with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey.
  • Elderflower Champagne: Ferment the elderflower cordial with yeast and sugar to create a bubbly, alcoholic drink. (Note: This process requires careful monitoring and should be done with caution.)
  • Elderflower Sorbet: Combine elderflower cordial with a simple sugar syrup and freeze it in an ice cream maker for a refreshing and fragrant sorbet.
  • Elderflower Jelly: Use the cordial as a flavoring in a homemade jelly or jam recipe. The floral notes will add a delightful twist to your spreads.
  • Elderflower Cocktails: Mix elderflower cordial with spirits like gin, vodka, or prosecco to create refreshing cocktails. Experiment with different combinations of flavors and decorations.
  • Elderflower Infused Vinegar: Combine elderflower heads with white wine vinegar in a glass jar. Let it infuse for a few weeks, strain, and use the flavored vinegar in salad dressings or marinades.
  • Elderflower Ice Cubes: Freeze elderflower cordial in ice cube trays and use them to add a floral touch to your favorite drinks, such as lemonade or iced tea.

Enjoy your homemade elderflower creations!

Hanna Bäckmo

Hanna Bäckmo is a beekeeper, entrepreneur, and gardening enthusiast. Originally from a small island in Sweden, she now lives in East Cork with her son, two dogs, a flock of rescue chickens and lots of bees. She runs Hanna’s Bees producing a wide range of honey, propolis and beeswax products which are sold in Ireland’s leading Gift & Artisan food stores.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like these:

Posted in Drinks, Foraged, Foraging, Home & garden, Recipes, Sustainable Living, Sweet.
Share

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

  • parsnip and honey cake
    May 9, 2023

    Parsnip and Honey Cake

    This parsnip and honey cake is like carrot cake, but much better! It’s got a delicious mixture of moist cinnamon and cardamom flavoured honey sponge and crunchy nuts and seeds. My parsnip and honey cake is perfect for a picnic and is best enjoyed with a steaming hot cup of tea or a glass of milk. It doesn’t need icing, but sometimes we eat it warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream!

  • April 16, 2023

    Ramson Pesto

    Wild garlic, or ramsons, is a mild garlic flavoured spring vegetable, growing wild in woodland and in some gardens. Picked early in the season, the tender young leaves are a perfect ingredient in a fresh, low-airmile, seasonal ramson pesto. Make up a batch or two extra to pop in the freezer and enjoy throughout the year. I like to use nuts and seeds grown close to home for this, such as sunflower seeds and hazelnuts, but other seeds and nuts work well too. The same goes for the cheese and oil, where I like to use Irish ingredients such as cheddar and rapeseed oil, but the more traditional parmesan and olive oil work really well too…

Basket Close
Updating…
  • No products in the basket.

Continue shopping