Elderflower Syrup Recipe
Learn how to make homemade elderflower syrup with fresh elderflowers, lemons, and sugar. A fragrant summer syrup for drinks, desserts, and baking.
Servings: 6 cups, about 1,5 liters
Calories: 131kcal
Ingredients
- 20 large elderflowers Notes 1 and 2
- 3 organic lemons
- 4 ¼ cups water
- 1 ½ teaspoon granulated food-grade citric acid
- 5 cups granulated sugar
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 ¼ cups water
- 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 ½ teaspoon granulated food-grade citric acid + 5 cups granulated sugar
- 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 will keep for at least 6 months, probably longer. After opening a bottle, store it in the refrigerator and consume it as soon as possible.
Notes
- The recipe makes about 6 ½ cups/ 1500 ml syrup. To make a refreshing drink, mix about 50 ml/ scant ¼ 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.
Nutrition
Serving: 50ml/ scant ¼ cup | Calories: 131kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Sodium: 44mg | Sugar: 33g