This sweet, floral drink is easy to make and a great way to use the fragrant elderflower blossoms that bloom in late spring. It’s fantastic for sipping on its own, mixed with sparkling water, or as a cocktail mixer.
Easy and Versatile
First, gather fresh elderflower blossoms—make sure they’re free from pesticides. You’ll need sugar, lemons, and citric acid to bring out the elderflowers’ sweet and tangy flavors.
Dissolve the sugar in boiling water, then add lemon slices and the citric acid. Next, stir in the elderflower blossoms and let the mixture steep. This step infuses the syrup with all the lovely floral notes.
After a couple of days, strain the mixture to remove the blossoms and lemon. Now, your cordial is ready to bottle. Keep it in the fridge to stay fresh.
Serve your elderflower cordial diluted with water for a refreshing drink, or add it to your favorite cocktails for a floral twist. It’s also lovely drizzled over fruit salad or ice cream. Enjoy the taste of summer any time with this delightful homemade cordial.
Homemade Elderflower Cordial
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- Large mixing bowl
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Glass bottles or jars with lids for storage
Ingredients
- 8 cups water
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- 25-30 elderflower heads
- 2 lemons sliced
- 2 tablespoons citric acid optional
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine the water and sugar. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until all the sugar has dissolved.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Meanwhile, gently rinse the elderflower heads and inspect for any bugs or debris. Make sure to remove any green parts as they can make the cordial bitter.
- In a large mixing bowl, place the elderflower heads and lemon slices.
- Pour the slightly cooled sugar water over the elderflower heads and lemon slices. If using, add the citric acid to the bowl and stir.
- Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it steep at room temperature for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean mixing bowl, pressing lightly to release all the liquid.
- Pour the cordial into glass bottles or jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.