Name: Homemade Elderflower Cordial Syrup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 h 20 min
Yield: 3
Ingredients: 20-25 blossom heads; 3 quarts water; 10 cups sugar; 4 lemons; 2 oranges

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This homemade elderflower syrup recipe is a versatile syrup that brings an aromatic twist and slight floral sweetness to your drinks and desserts.

yellow elderflower syrup in small glass jars on white tea towel on black marbled countertop with cookbook on stand in background

Elderberry has become a household word. A superfood. A powerhouse. Some would say a “cure all”. But what about the elderflower? Not as frequently mentioned or used. I fell in love with the elderflower years ago after my first taste. Where had this been my whole life?! The flower has properties extremely beneficial just like the berry but with a light, refreshing taste.

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INGREDIENTS NEEDED

Elderflower blossom heads – fresh blossoms result in a brighter floral fragrance, but you can use dried flowers as well.
Water – tap water will work.
Sugar – I like to use cane sugar, but you can also use granulated white sugar or brown sugar. Honey would also work as a substitute. The color of the syrup will change slightly depending on what sugar you use.
Lemons
Oranges
Citric Acid – if you don’t have some already, try this.

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

Large pot
Measuring bowl
Juicer – optional
Spoon
Jars or glass bottles – Used for bottling and storing elderflower cordial syrup.
Cheesecloth or filter/strainer – for straining liquid.

What is Elderflower?

Elderflowers are a small, white blossoms from an elderberry bush that bloom in late spring or early summer. I was able to harvest ours in south Missouri in June.

Elderflowers bring that sweet taste but are more importantly rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Uses of Elderflower Syrup

Food & Beverage- Elderflower is used as a flavoring component. This elderflower syrup recipe makes a sweet floral base for refreshing beverages, such as elderflower cordials, teas, and cocktails in place of simple syrup. They can also be used with fresh fruit and in baking, adding a unique floral flavor to cakes, desserts, and pastries.

Medicinal- I like to use it for colds and viruses as an additive to a drink like lemonade or tea. Elderflower teas or tinctures help with swollen sinuses (sinusitis), colds, influenza (flu), swine flu, and bronchitis. It is also said to lower blood sugars in diabetics and is a gentle relief for constipation. It can be used as a diuretic to increase urine production, as a diaphoretic to increase sweating, and to stop bleeding.

Outside of drink additives, you can use it to gargle for coughs, colds, hoarseness (laryngitis), flu, and shortness of breath. Or it can be used topically on the skin for joint pain and inflammation. Elderflower is often seen used in combination with gentian root, verbena, cowslip flower, and sorrel.

Aromatic– elderflower extracts are used in perfumes and elderflower water is used in eye and skin lotions.

How to make Homemade Elderflower Cordial Syrup recipe

Gather Elderflower Blossoms

While I planted new bushes at the century farm when we moved, I was excited to find a few mature elderflower bushes along the property fence rows that produced this years’ harvest. Look for a bright, light green stemmy shrub. The fresh elderflower blossoms are ready to gather when the creamy white flowers are fully opened. When you are harvesting, be sure not to harvest all of the flowers and go ahead and leave the blooms with brown edges – they will make great elderberries later in the summer which can be made into this elderberry syrup. Also, make sure you only harvest the elderflower heads as the stems and leaves are toxic and should not be consumed.

For easy harvesting, I like to use scissors or gardening snips. Simply cut the stem of the blossom head just below where it meets the main stem. Inspect for any insects and give a little shake. Rinsing the blossoms remove the pollen and a lot of the flavor so it’s best to skip the rinse and go straight into making the syrup.

Make the Cordial Syrup

In a large stock pot, over medium heat dissolve 10 cups of sugar in 3 quarts of water.

Add the juice of one lemon (adds citrus flavor and keeps from discoloring) and bring to a boil.

Remove from heat. Add 20-25 elderflower blossoms and let steep for 8-10 hours. You can leave in large stock pot or transfer to a 1/2-gallon jar.

If you plan to water bath can or enjoy a citrus flavor, add the juice of the remaining 3 lemons and 2 oranges or just citric acid for canning.

Strain through a cheesecloth or filter. Bottle into glass jars for the fridge or water bath canning or pour into containers for freezing.

Storage

rows of yellow elderflower syrup in small class jars on white tea towel on black marbled counter top with cookbook on stand in background

Due to this elderflower cordial syrup’s mixture of sugar and citric acid, it won’t spoil on you fast.

You can keep in the fridge for up to 3 months.
Freeze in glass bottles, food-safe containers, or ice cube trays.
Water Bath Canned and stored at room temperature for about a year, or in a cool dark place for several years as long as the seal is still good.

Serve your Elderflower Cordial Syrup

Lovely gift: A bottle of elderflower syrup makes the perfect homemade gift for friends and family.
Elderflower lemonade*: mix a bit of your elderflower cordial syrup with fresh lemonade for a slight twist on the classic summer beverage.
Non-alcoholic drink: Add elderflower syrup to soda water and lemon juice for a nice refreshing drink on hot summer days.
Fruit Salad: Drizzle over fruit salad for a flavorful syrup.
Cake: Mix in a white cake and serve with any fresh fruit of the season.
Over Ice Cream: need a new topping, give it a try on vanilla or sorbet ice-cream for a floral flavor.
Hot or Iced Tea*: steep fresh elderflowers in hot water or add your elderflower syrup to your tea for some added flavor. Drink it hot or add some ice.
Elderflower cocktails: use this as a rich simple syrup in your summery drinks.
*These are my favorites, but see what else you can whip up in your kitchen for the added flavor or health benefits!