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a small bottle of elderflower syrup, half a lemon and a bunch of elderflowers in a vase.
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4.65 from 14 votes

Elderflower Syrup Recipe

Learn how to make an elderflower syrup recipe; it's like catching the summer flavors in a bottle. The syrup is sweet, lemony, and aromatic.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Additional Time1 day 12 hours
Total Time1 day 12 hours 20 minutes
Course: Preserves and Canning Recipes
Cuisine: German
Servings: 6 cups, about 1,5 liters
Calories: 131kcal
Author: Adina

Ingredients

  • 20 large elderflowers about, Notes 1 and 2
  • 3 organic lemons
  • 4 ¼ cups water 1 liter
  • 1 ½ 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 ¼ 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 ½ 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

  1. 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).
  2. 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