A fragrant, refreshing homemade cordial made from freshly picked elderflower blossoms, lemon, and sugar, diluted with sparkling water for a summer drink.
Ingredients
20 large elderflower heads, freshly picked
1kg sugar
1.5L water
3 lemons, sliced
30g citric acid
1L sparkling water for serving
Instructions
1Gently shake elderflower heads to remove any insects, but do not wash them as this removes the fragrant pollen that gives the cordial its flavor.
2Bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
3Place elderflower heads and lemon slices in a large bowl or pot. Pour the cooled sugar syrup over them and stir in citric acid.
4Cover with a clean cloth and let steep at room temperature for twenty-four hours, stirring occasionally to distribute flavor.
5Strain through a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth, pressing gently to extract all liquid. Discard flowers and lemon.
6Pour into sterilized glass bottles and refrigerate. To serve, dilute one part cordial with three parts sparkling water over ice.
Did You Know?
In June, Liechtensteiners can be spotted along roadsides and in meadows gathering elderflower heads, a foraging tradition that spans centuries.