Where I live the Elderberry bush is a common sight throughout hedgerows and all along the forest edge. We even have them in our garden making up part of a flowering hedge. From late May to early June, the boughs of the Elderberry are laden down with gorgeous sprays of tiny, creamy white flowers.
I remember when I was little, a friend and I would have the job of collecting the elderflower which my friend's mother would then make into elderberry wine. Of course, there was always enough elderflower left over for her to make a lovely syrup for us children – our reward for picking the flowers.
Years later and here I am doing the same myself and I've been making this every year for around the last eight years. I tend to make far more than I actually need so that there's plenty to give to family and friends. Once bottled, I add a pretty tag and just like that I've turned a simple recipe into a lovely gift for guests or a small present for bringing along to summer parties.
Elderflower syrup can be used in many ways. I use it mostly diluted as a cordial to drink but it's also lovely used pure, poured over ice cream or deserts. A great idea for summer parties – mix with sparkling wine or champagne in a large glass jug or bowl, add some sliced strawberries and a few mint leaves – delicious!
Harvesting the elderflower
The best time for collecting elderflower for using in recipes is late morning on a sunny day. By this time, the flowers would have been exposed to the sun for a few hours and the dew will have dried off. Avoid pollution by making sure you only collect from elderberry bushes growing well away from busy roadsides.
Once you've collected enough elderflower, let them sit in a colander or open basket for a little while so that any bugs or insects have a chance to crawl away.
How to make elderflower syrup
The recipe makes around 7 bottles. I tend to make three batches of 7 over the space of a week to allow for gifting.
Ingredients for Elderflower Syrup
- 2 Litres of Water
- 3kg Sugar
- 100g (3.5 ounces or ½ cup) Citric acid (I get mine from the chemist)
- 20 or more sprays of Elderflower
- 3 organic lemons sliced
Method for making Elderflower Syrup
1. Pour the sugar into a large saucepan and add the water.
2. Heat on high until all the sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool.
3. Once cool add the citric acid and stir until dissolved.
4. Slice the lemons.
4. Add the elderflower and lemon slices in alternate layers. You may need to press down lightly with a wooden spoon so that the layers are covered with water.
5. Cover with a lid and allow to stand for 48 hours in a cool place. (I let mine stand in our cellar but you can also just put it in the fridge).
6. Lay a muslin cloth inside a sieve and strain the mixture through it into another large saucepan or bowl. You may have to do this in batches. Squeeze the lemons through the muslin to make sure you get all the juice.
7. Use a funnel to pour the syrup into clean bottles.
8. Add a tag for gifting if you wish.
9. Store the bottles in a cool place.
How to dilute Elderflower Syrup
Elderflower syrup is very concentrated. I use about 1cm of syrup in a tall water glass, fill the glass with sparkling water and mix well. In other words, dilute it as you would a cordial.
Add a slice of lemon or a few mint leaves and lots of ice cubes in Summer for that little bit extra.
Elderflower is said to be an immune booster so be sure to save some bottles for winter when you may need an extra boost against those nasty germs.
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ANNA says
Please can you tell me the quantity of citric acid used. Many thanks. Anna
Jayne Westerholt says
Of course, Anna, you need 100g (which is roughly 3.5 ounces or half a cup). I hadn't realised I had omitted the mass so thank you for pointing that out. I've corrected that in the post now:)
Nerys says
This looks lovely however the recipe says 1oo citric acid? 100 what, hope for a response p
Jayne Westerholt says
Hello Nerys, sorry about that. I've updated the post now, it's 100g of citric acid (3.5 ounces or 1/2 cup). I hope you enjoy this syrup as much as I do!
Cynthia says
This looks so lovely and I have never heard of doing this before. Elderberries remind me so much of my dad. He absolutely loved elderberry pie... he would pick mounds and mounds of them in the hopes my mom might make him a pie.
Jayne Westerholt says
I've never had Elderberry pie but I bet it's delicious. I sometimes use Elderberries to make natural cough syrup and that's delicious too!
Kim | Shiplap and Shells says
I've never heard of Elderberry syrup! Thank you for the great blog post Jayne! And thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens Party!
Jayne Westerholt says
You're welcome Kim, I love the Charming Homes and Gardens Party!
Cecilia says
This looks heavenly, Jayne! I make my own lavender syrup, but I have never tried elderflower! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm--pinned!
Jayne Westerholt says
Oooh, lavender syrup sounds lovely Cecilia, I think I may have to give that a try too!
Julie says
I've seen so many people sharing on instagram this week that they are making this I feel I might have to join them! Thank you for joining us at Handmade Monday 🙂
Jayne Westerholt says
Hi Julie, definitely try it! I make two or three batches and it lasts us for most of the year - it's delicious!
Carol says
Do you need to do anything with it to keep it fresh for a year ?
Jayne Westerholt says
Hi Carol, I make at least two batches of this every year and have never had to add anything else to the mix because citric acid is a natural preservative. I keep my bottles in a cool dark cellar and it keeps fresh for over a year. If you don't have somewhere cool to store it, you could add a Campden tablet to mix while it's 'brewing'. Campden tablets are usually used in wine and beer making to stop bacteria and wild yeast from growing. If you use this method, be very careful to keep your face away from the gases which form when you add the tablet to the Elderberry mix because they are an irritant if inhaled but as I said, I've never had to use them.
Shantal says
Hi Jayne! I love making anything homemade and a couple of weeks ago, because of lockdown, decided to try my hand at Elderflower cordial and wine. Both turned out pretty delicious and I happened on your syrup recipe which I am going to make tomorrow. Had to order citric acid online as our local village pharmacy did not have any. Can’t wait to try your recipe as I’m a total convert and hooked on Elderflower in any way, shape or form. Thanks for sharing!
Jayne Westerholt says
Hi Shantal! I'm hooked on anything Elderflower too but I've never tried making wine. I think I'm going to have to give that a try though:) I made another batch of this syrup yesterday and it's 'brewing' in my basement as I write. If you love Elderflower then I'm sure you will love this syrup too! I'm so glad you could get the citric acid online - I'd love to hear how it turns out!
Shantal says
Hi again Jayne! My batch of syrup is done and delish! Wondered if I could reduce the tartness a tad by reducing lemons to two instead, as the citric acids obviously adds to the tartness of the mix?
Jayne Westerholt says
Hi shantal, I'm so glad I saw this comment today because you've reminded me that I need to strain my latest batch of syrup which has been brewing in the basement! Yes, you could try it with two lemons and see how you like it, maybe your lemons were larger than mine. I also dilute mine considerably, so in a tall water glass, I would add about 1cm of syrup and fill the glass with sparkling water. 🙂
Shantal says
Perfect! Next batch I’ll experiment a little, but sure those receiving these as gifts will absolutely love it 😊
Jayne Westerholt says
I've never met anyone yet who hasn't! 🙂