Elderflower cordial is a delicious and easy-to-make springtime drink. It’s light, refreshing, and just a little bit sweet. Every spring, the elder trees near Ben’s family farm spring up with thousands of white blossoms — and every year, we take home as much as we can carry to make this cordial. Read on for a quick how-to guide to making elderflower cordial!
What is elderflower?
Elderflowers and elderberries both come from the elder tree (Sambucus nigra). The tree is native to Europe and North America but can be found in many places around the world. The flowers start to bloom in late spring, while the berries don’t come out until later in the summer. The berries can also be eaten, but have to be cooked first.
Besides being turned into delicious cordial, elderflower can also be used to make medicine. It’s used to help recover faster from colds and flu, as well as to treat swollen sinuses and bronchitis. Elderflowers and berries are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants that boost the immune system.
Ingredients you’ll need
- A large pot
- Muslin cloth or a strainer: we used a reusable fruit bag
- 20 elderflower heads: if your blossoms are small or you want a stronger elderflower taste, feel free to use more
- 1L boiling water
- 75g citric acid
- 1kg sugar
- 4 lemons
Elderflower picking tips
- When choosing flowers to pick, make sure that they are white (not yellow or brown) and that the little flower heads have opened up all the way.
- The best time to pick elderflowers is midmorning on a sunny day.
- Try to use your flowers as soon as possible after picking. You’ll know you’ve left them too long when they start to smell sour.
This recipe will make just over one liter of cordial. The flavor packs a big punch, so it’s better to dilute it with another liquid if you’ll be drinking it (I left some suggestions below!). It’s also easy to double or triple this recipe if you’re lucky enough to have access to lots of flowers.
Steps to make elderflower cordial
1. Pick the elderflowers from the tree. Once you have enough, go through them to get rid of any bugs, big leaves, or brown bits. Don’t rinse them, as that will make your cordial less flavorful. Put all the flowers in a big pot.
2. Boil your water and pour it over the flowers.
3. Add the citric acid and sugar, stirring to mix until it dissolves.
4. Grate the lemons and add the zest to the pot. Chop up the remaining fruit into quarters, add it all into the pot, and stir.
5. Cover the pot and let the mixture infuse for at least 24 hours.
6. The next day, sieve the mixture through a muslin cloth or strainer into another pot. Make sure to squeeze the pulp thoroughly to get all of the flavor out.
7. Using a funnel, pour the strained cordial into your sanitized bottle or jar. Keep the container in a cool, dark place. Once it’s opened, keep it in the fridge.
Tip: if you don’t have a funnel, you can make one out of an old plastic bottle. Make sure it’s clean and dry, then cut the bottom off and flip it upside down before using.
Elderflower cordial bottling tips
- To make sure your cordial keeps for longer, you’ll need to sanitize whatever bottles or jars you’ll be keeping it in. To do this, wash the container with soapy water and rinse it out. Fill it with boiling water and let it sit for 5 minutes before emptying.
- When filling your bottle up, make sure to get rid of any excess oxygen (it should overflow a bit when you put the lid on). This will help the flavor remain stable and will keep the cordial from spoiling.
- Don’t forget to label your bottles with a name and date!
What to do with your elderflower cordial
- Add a splash to still or sparkling water for a light elderflower lemonade
- Mix with champagne, wine, or gin for a delicious cocktail
- Add to cakes or pies for an elderflower flavored dessert
- Save a few flowers and use them as edible decorations in cocktails or on baked goods
Be on the lookout for more easy recipes coming soon!
xoxo Niki
That elderflower cordial sounds really delicious!! 😁