Home » Recipes » Preserving, Canning and Fermenting » Heavenly Elderflower Cordial to add floral touch to any refreshing drink
byVladka Merva
This highly scented elderflower cordial makes a wonderfully refreshing drink when mixed with still or sparkling water.
Every year in spring I am geared up with a paper box, scissors, 10 empty bottles and literally waiting for elderflowers to bloom. One must be quick as they bloom for few weeks only and you want to collect the flowers that are fully opened that didn’t turn brown yet. If you miss it you have to wait another year. It’s a tradition in our family to make elderflower cordial in a large batch so it lasts for the whole year.
Foraging Elderflowers
When Elderflowers start to bloom, identification is by far the easiest. They produce large creamy color umbels with distinguished scents and flavor that is difficult to oversee. When harvesting flowers keep in mind that with every flower head you snip you are reducing the fall elderberry crop. So, harvest the flowers modestly, don’t take more than 20-30 % of the flowers from one plant.
Keep also some flowers for bees! Search for flowers that are fully opened. The best time to forage them is early morning on a sunny day. Once I collect them I inspect them carefully and remove all the bugs or insects that might be hidden in the umbels. Never rinse them with water as you will wash away the pollen that is a carrier of flavor and scent.
Similarly, I like to make this lilac syrup that reminds me of spring all year long.
History of Elderflower cordial
The history of elderflower cordial can be traced back to Roman times. Nowadays it is very popular in Central Europe, especially in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and England. (wikipedia). Elderflowers are known for their antiviral properties and very often used in immunity boosters. Traditionally, elderflowers were used for detoxification, asthma and allergy treatment. If you have access to elderflowers you must try this tasty and unique Elderflower yogurt, you will love it from day one.
I have been using 2 l bottle and made 1,5 l of elderflower cordial. Mutiply by 10 if you want to make 15 l of elderflower cordial for the whole year.
Feel free to download elderflower cordial labelhere – the same I used in this video.
Ingredients to make 1,5 l of Elderflower cordial
13 heads of elderflower
1000g caster sugar
1/2 unwaxed lemon
35 g citric acid
1 l boiled water which you cool before use
Making elderflower cordial
First step
Pick the Elderflowers and set them outside for a while so that any tiny bugs hiding in the blossoms have a chance to make their escape.
Second step
Put the white flowers in a bowl with 3 slices of unwaxed (bio) lemon and pour 1 l of cool water which has been boiled before.
Third step
Let it infuse for 24 hours
Fourth step
Strain your cordialthrough a piece of muslin and pour into a 2 l sterilized jar.
Fifth step
Add the sugar and the citric acid.
Sixth step
Once the sugar is completely diluted, fill in sterilised bottles.
If you keep the cordials in a cool place they will easily last until next year. But we usually drink it all before then.
They make a wonderfully refreshing drink when combined with still or sparkling water.
elderflower cordial recipe without citric acid
The citric acid acts as a preservative and also balances the sweet flavor of sugar with its sour touch. If you however decide to skip it, you can adjust the taste with little bit more lemon juice. Elderflower cordial without citric acid will however last up to 4-6 weeks so I suggest to make it in a small batch. Alternatively you can freeze it in ice cube trays if you have large freezer. Use one cube per drink with or without using a mixer.
elderflower cordial recipe with dried flowers
If you don’t have access to fresh elderflower blossoms, you can use dried elderflowers however the final cordial will not be as fragrant as when used fresh. You will, however, need half of the elderflower volume when you use dried blossoms.
elderflower cordial without sugar
Cordial is in fact flavored simple syrup where sugar plays an essential part of it. You can reduce the quantity of sugar to half and still get a very good cordial or try elderflower liqueur instead where you infuse elderflowers in alcohol to benefit from the scented flavor of elderflowers. There are recipes using honey instead. I have tried that however, the taste of honey is very intense and beats the elderflowers. Moreover it also affects the color of the syrup.
Other recipes with elderflowers
Elderflower fritters
Are you inspired and want to use elderflowers to make natural remedies to boost your immunity, create tasty dishes or enhance your skin? You might want to try this.
Yield: 1,5 l (50.7 oz)
Heavenly Elderflower Cordial
This highly scented elderflower cordial makes a wonderfully refreshing drink when mixed with still or sparkling water.
Cook Time15 minutes
Additional Time1 day
Total Time1 day 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 13 large elderflower heads
- 1000g (5 cups) or (35.5 oz) caster sugar
- ½ unwaxed bio lemon
- 35 g (1/6 cup ) or (1.2 oz) citric acid
- 1 l boiled water
Instructions
1. Pick the Elderflowers and set them outside for a while so that any tiny bugs hiding in the blossoms have a chance to make their escape.
2. Put the white flowers in a bowl with 3 slices of unwaxed (bio) lemon and pour 1 l of cool water which has been boiled before.
3. Let it infuse for 24 hours
4. Strain your cordialthrough a piece of muslin and pour into a 2 l sterilized jar. Add the sugar and the citric acid.
5. Once the sugar is completely diluted, fill in sterilized bottles.
If you keep the cordials in a cool place they will easily last until next year. But we usually drink it all before then.
Notes
Citric acid powder, also known as sour salt, is easy to find in many markets, It not only boosts the acidity of the cordial, but it also acts as a preservative.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 1Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0g
Other Homemade Preserves
How to make a fire cider -potent herbal tonic
This rich Herbal fire-cider packed with antioxidants, minerals and vitamin C is an alcohol-free way to boost your immune system with nutrient-rich herbs, fruits and roots and warm up your body.
All you need to know about Rose hip jam
People have been using jam since ancient times to preserve fruits and even vegetables (yes, like carrot or caramelized onion) during the whole year.
Elderberry Chia Jam to boost your immune system
This rich and fruity Elderberry jam makes for a powerful combination full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances that can help you overcome the demanding flu and cold season.
Homemade Elderberry syrup to ease cold and flu
The best way to preserve Elderberries and use their superpower when needed is to make homemade Elderberry syrup.
Elderflower Rhubarb jam with no pectin
This delicious rhubarb jam with health-boosting elderflowers makes a perfect seasonal combination that can be spread on toast, mixed in smoothies or served on top of baked camembert.
How to make dandelion capers
A great addition to any savoury meal, these dandelion capers are little concentrated doses of flavours that turn any ordinary dish into a culinary adventure.
Preserving green walnuts in honey recipe
Uncover the reasons to forage green walnuts and learn how to preserve them in raw honey
Red Clover vinegar to ease symptoms of menopause
This homemade Red Clover medicinal vinegar is a powerful natural remedy that eases the most common menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
How to make delicate Elderflower liqueur
Capture the taste of elderflowers in this delicate and unique elderflower liqueur when it’s in season and enjoy it later by the end of July when the liqueur is ready.
Elderberry powder recipe (and 15 ways to use it)
Elderberry powder is a versatile potent substance with a specific colour, taste and unmissable medicinal benefits that can enhance our plate. It is also a very convenient way to preserve elderberries.
How to make Rosehip powder
Easy-to-make rosehip powder is a vitamin and mineral-rich herbal substance that will enrich your meal and enhance your skin.
Superfood green nettle powder (and 10 ways to use it)
Made from dried nettle leaves, this superfood green powder is packed with nutrients and has great benefits for skin and hair.
Beetroot powder recipe and its uses
Packed with nutrients, beetroot powder is a versatile substance that has many uses in the kitchen and in the cosmetic industry.
