Learn how to make a simple elderflower syrup recipe; it's like catching the summer flavors in a bottle. The syrup is sweet, lemony, and more aromatic than any other syrup.
You will not believe how easy it is to make elderflower syrup yourself. All you need are a bunch of elderflowers, lemons, citric acid, sugar, and water.
And if you would like something stronger, you could try making elderflower gin. And you can use this syrup to make an elderflower gin cocktail.
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What are elderflowers?
Elderflowers are the blossoms of the elder tree, also known as Sambucus nigra, Black Elder, Ellhorn, Pipe tree, Bore tree, Eller, and Holler.
Elder trees are small hedgerow trees. Their blossoms - the elderflowers - are creamy-colored, have a heavenly scent, and can be picked in June. I love the smell of the hedges every early summer and the look of these beautiful flowers.
Try Simple Strawberry Syrup, too, this summer!
How to pick elderflowers?
Their season is sometime in June. It is a short period, so don't miss it.
Pick on a dry, sunny day. Take only a few from each tree so the berries can grow later and help insects and birds. Make sure to pick flowers away from roads; I always choose fields. Shake them to remove any small insects.
Choose large, unblemished, fully opened, and fragrant elderflowers. Snap them off just below the flower head.
I donโt wash them because I avoid traffic areas, but if you want to, rinse briefly in cold water to prevent pollen and flavor loss.
Use the flowers right away, as they quickly wilt and lose flavor.
If you have lots of elderflowers, you can also make Non-Alcoholic Elderflower Champagne, Elderflower Tea, or Elderflower Jelly.
Recipe ingredients
Elderflowers: Use about 20 large ones, or double that if theyโre smaller. A large one is about the size of your palm with your fingers spread wide.
Lemons: Use organic, unwaxed lemons, which should be washed with hot water before use. Before straining the liquid, give the lemon slices a good squeeze so that their juice remains in the syrup.
Citric acid: Granulated food-grade citric acid is very cheap and can usually be bought at just about any supermarket. If you cannot find it there, you should definitely be able to find it in a pharmacy or drugstore. Make sure it is food-grade.
- Citric acid not only adds flavor but also helps preserve the syrup.
Sugar: I know the recipe contains a lot of sugar, but this syrup should always be topped with lots of water before you drink it.
How to make elderflower syrup?
Making this elderflower syrup is easy, but it requires a little time as it must be left alone for one or two days.
- Step #1:ย Place all the ingredients in a very large bowl, cover the bowl with cling film, and place the bowl in a dark, cool place, like a cellar.
If you don't have a cellar, any darker, cooler place would do. If the weather is very warm, I only let the elderflowers in the water for about 24 hours; if it is not that hot, you can leave them for 36 hours.
- Step #2: After this time, strain the liquid through a very fine sieve. If your sieve is not that fine, line it with a clean muslin cloth. There should be no impurities left in the liquid.
- Step #3: Pour the liquid into a clean pot, add the sugar, and bring it to a boil while stirring well to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 3-4 minutes.
- Step #4: Pour the elderflower syrup immediately into sterilized and still-warm bottles.
How to mix and use the syrup?
The elderflower syrup is thick and sweet, so a little goes a long way. I usually mix one part syrup for 3-4 parts water, but that's according to taste. My kids like it sweeter, I like it less sweet. I always add fresh lemon juice to the glass when we drink; it makes the drink even better.
You can also use it to sweeten desserts or drizzle it on pancakes or ice cream. In baking, you can use it to moisten cake bases, flavor cake fillings, make elderflower ice cream or sorbet, and even add it to salad dressings for a light and incredibly flavorful sweetness.
You can use it for flavoring sparkling wine, gin and tonic, or other drinks.
How to store syrup?
The recipe for elderflower syrup can be easily doubled or tripled; I always do that.
It keeps very well. I still had a little bottle I made last year, which I opened recently. It was perfect.
Once you open a bottle, keep it in the refrigerator and consume it as soon as possible.
Elderflower Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 20 large elderflowers about, Notes 1 and 2
- 3 organic lemons
- 4 ยผ cups water 1 liter
- 1 ยฝ teaspoon granulated food-grade citric acid
- 5 cups granulated sugar 1 kg
Instructions
- Prepare elderflowers: Shake the freshly picked elderflower to remove any small insects that might be crawling around. If you want to wash them, rinse them very briefly in cold running water. However, be aware that washing the elderflowers would remove the pollen and much of the flavor. Place the flowers into a large glass bowl.20 large elderflowers
- Steep: Cut the lemons into thick slices. Add them to the bowl, add the water, cover, and leave for 24 to 36 hours in a cool, dark place. A cool cellar would be best. If the weather is very warm, 24 hours should be enough; if the weather is not that hot, you can leave the syrup for up to 36 hours.3 organic lemons + 4 ยผ cups water/ 1 liter
- Strain: Squeeze the lemon slices into the syrup and then strain the liquid through a very fine sieve into a pot (line the sieve with a clean muslin cloth, if the sieve is not that fine, there should be no impurities left in the liquid).
- Boil syrup: Add the citric acid and the sugar. Bring to a boil while stirring well to dissolve the sugar. When it starts boiling, boil for 5 minutes. 1 ยฝ teaspoon granulated food-grade citric acid + 5 cups granulated sugar/ 1 kg
- Bottle: Pour immediately into sterilized and still warm bottles. Screw the cap on the bottle firmly.
- Store in a cool, dark place. The elderflower syrup or cordial will keep for at least 6 months, probably longer. After opening a bottle, store it in the refrigerator and consume as soon as possible.
Notes
- The recipe makes about 6 ยฝ cups/ 1500 ml syrup. To make a refreshing drink, mix about 50 ml/ scant ยผ cup with about 1 cup/ 250 ml tab or sparkling water, about 1 part syrup, and 5 parts water (to taste).
- Size of the flowers: A large elderflower should be about as large as your hand when you spread the fingers. If they are smaller, use more elderflowers. Always pick the elderflowers in the fields or gardens, in places where there is no car traffic.
Vesna says
hey, Adina
here in Slovenia we differ from syrup and cordial. I donโt know the exact English name, but there are two different things. One is syrup as you recipe, and the other is made with vinegar, elderflower, less sugar and lemon. Itโs like Schweppes. And you donโt mix it with water. It also remind me on hot summer days, when my granny made it. Maybe that was the same you mention it. Itโs called Holundersekt in German.
Enjoy your summer.
Vesna
Adina says
Hi Vesna. It could be the same, although I don't remember the use of vinegar. But it was definitely like Sekt, not alcoholic, but bubbly. Enjoy the summer too.
mjskitchen says
Wish I had had this recipe 40 years ago when I lived in Louisiana. our backyard was surrounded by elderberry and it was beautiful when it was in bloom, and lots of blooms there were. In the New Mexico climate elder berry doesn't grow. That's a shame because I would love to taste this syrup. Wonderful little recipe Adina.
Adina says
Thank you, Rachel. ๐
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
What a beautiful recipe and I loved the story about your childhood!