To many Europeans, refreshing Elderflower drinks are classic symbols of the warm summer months.
Text And Photo By Tamara Novacoviç
Elderflower syrup is commonly made by people throughout much of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe during these spring/summer months. The syrup is diluted with spring water and used as a drink. It is also combined with soda, white wine, or even beer (you get that cider effect). According to Wikipedia, in the United States the syrup is used to make elderflower marshmallows. 
Elderberry tree is in full blossom and its flowers smell lovely. Just imagine that flavorful taste of its syrup. Elderflowers can be used in many different ways-for making wine, tea, liqueurs, cakes. People even fry it in breadcrumbs-this is actually a big hit in many restaurants worldwide and is served as a dessert or sweet lunch with a sugar and cinnamon topping.
This syrup is the perfect company to heavier barbecue dishes but also refreshing salads. Just add some ice to it and you’ll be in heaven.
If you happen to come across and find elderberry tree, make sure to pick up some flowers and make this refreshing drink. Just make sure you pick up flowers in as clean nature as possible, further away from industry and roads. This is actually quite simple to make. The recipe is my mom’s and this syrup is made in our household every season.
PrintElderflower juice
- Total Time: 24 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 cups 1x
Description
This homemade elderflower syrup is a refreshing, floral drink perfect for the warm summer months and pairs wonderfully with barbecue dishes.
Ingredients
- 30 elderflower blossoms, washed
- 12.5 cups (3 liters) water
- 15.5 cups (3 kg) sugar
- 2.8 oz (80 g) citric acid
Instructions
- Sink the clean elderflower blossoms into 3 liters of water and cover the container. Leave it to infuse for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, strain the mixture through a fine sieve or cloth to remove the flowers. Discard the flowers and retain the liquid.
- Add 3 kg of sugar and 80 g of citric acid to the strained liquid. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Pour the syrup into sterilized bottles and seal them tightly. Store in a cool, dark place.
- To serve, dilute the syrup with water, soda, or white wine to taste. Add ice for a refreshing summer drink.
Notes
Ensure the bottles are properly sterilized to extend the shelf life of the syrup. Pick elderflower blossoms from clean areas away from pollution. The syrup can be used in drinks or as a sweetener for desserts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 13
- Sodium: 0
- Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
I used a similar recipe and the eldeflower drink turned out great. The only difference is that I didn’t wash the eldeflower blossoms. The pollen makes the syrup even more delicious. Of course the eldelflower must be set far off the road… So, here is how I made my syrup: http://www.bitlabels.com/elderflower-syrup-cordial-recipe-label
Sounds pretty cool i will try.
Thank you, ladies! elderflower trees are so common here in Croatia, they’re everywhere. Maybe elderberry rings a bell? It’s the fruit from this tree.
You can look up more about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus
and here:
http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_sanic4.pdf
I would love to try this. It sounds refreshing. I have never heard of elderflower marshmallows but I am definitely intrigued.
Sound good, need to find elderflower tree though.