Almost everyone heard or tried the refreshing spring cordial from elderflower heads. I love it too. Every spring, I make this recipe in large amounts, because I drink it all summer, maybe sometimes I even leave a few bottles for winter.

The elderflowers are ready for harvesting at the end of May and beginning of June i.e. when I publish this recipe. So, if you read it right after the publishing date, now is the time to start with harvesting elderflowers. Be careful, you need only fully ripe and open flowers like in the video below. If possible, harvest them on a sunny day when they are in full bloom.

When we talk about harvesting in this recipe, I use lemon balm for a better taste, so if you have fresh lemon balm in the garden, pick some leaves as well.

Besides the need for lemons, you will need citric acid and sugar too (or better honey, but that will cost you a little bit more).
How much of these ingredients?
Well, it is a very easy amount to remember. On 10 elderflower heads, you will need 1 lemon, 1 citric acid, 1L water, 1 kg sugar or honey. Double the dose as much as you want. 20 flowers, 2kg sugar, 2 lemons, 2 citric acids, 2 L water, etc. Lemon balm is optional, but if you have it, I recommend using it.

If it is possible, I avoid boiling. This recipe can be prepared with boiling too to last longer as a lot of people can say. But is it really worthy to lose all useful properties for that to last longer?

There is enough sugar to work as a preservative and prevent spoiling. Even if you use half of the needed sugar in the recipe, you can freeze it. For those who do not want a very mild taste, this will work too. In that case, you can freeze it in cubes. One cube in a glass, add water and enjoy the refreshing, slightly sour taste.

In addition to being very tasty, it also has healing properties. Helps with colds and flu in winter, and strengthens immunity in summer.

If you are interested you can read about elderberry health benefits and another cordial recipe from stinging nettle.


Homemade elderflower cordial ina bottle.
Eldelrflower Cordial Without Boiling
Print Recipe
It is a very easy recipe and anyone can afford it.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 20 minutes
Passive Time
48 hours
Servings Prep Time
4 people 20 minutes
Passive Time
48 hours
Homemade elderflower cordial ina bottle.
Eldelrflower Cordial Without Boiling
Print Recipe
It is a very easy recipe and anyone can afford it.
Servings Prep Time
4 people 20 minutes
Passive Time
48 hours
Servings Prep Time
4 people 20 minutes
Passive Time
48 hours
Ingredients
Servings: people
Instructions
  1. Wash the flowers and leave to drain.
  2. Add the flowers in a big jar, or if it is a larger amount, in a big plastic bowl with a lid (you can use a pot too).
  3. Wash the lemons and cut them on thin slices. You can also blend them in a blender to get a stronger lemon taste.
  4. Add citric acid and lemon balm leaves cut in a few pieces (optional).
  5. Pour with cold water and close. Leave it for 24 hours, with occasional stirring, in a dark and cool place.
  6. After that period, drain it with a cloth. Bring the liquid in the pot or jar and add the sugar.
  7. Close and leave for another 24 hours with occasional stirring to melt the sugar.
  8. After that period, the cordial is ready. Collect it in bottles or freeze it in cubes. (You can store in glass bottles if you do not freeze it, but keep it in a dark, cool palace. If you want to freeze, store it in plastic bottles.)
  9. Dissolve with water and enjoy it.

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