A sweet, tart, and floral Elderflower Cordial recipe bursting with fresh flavor. This cordial recipe is super easy to make and versatile in its uses.
Looking for a way to make best use of elderflower season? Look no further! This elderflower cordial (aka elderflower syrup) has the taste of summer in a bottle.
What is a Cordial?
If you go on a search to learn more about cordials, you're likely to find yourself a bit confused about just what they are exactly. Some sources will consider them a syrup or liqueur, others—a water, soft drink or alcoholic beverage. So what is a cordial exactly? Traditionally, a cordial itself is a non-alcoholic syrup of sorts that is used to flavor both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages alike. It is concentrated in flavor and versatile in its uses.
Where to Find Fresh Elderflowers
See our tips below for more information on foraging elderflowers.
Otherwise, you can often find fresh elderflower flower heads being sold at farmers' markets and online. One of my favorite places to order fresh edible flowers online is Gourmet Sweet Botanicals.
Be certain to check elderflower heads for bugs before using them!
Tips for Foraging Elderflowers
When making delicious elderflower liqueur, foraging for the perfect blooms is the first step. Follow these simple tips to ensure a successful foraging.
1. Identify Elder Trees
Begin by familiarizing yourself with the distinctive features of elder trees (Sambucus nigra). Look for shrubs or small trees with compound leaves and clusters of small, creamy-white flowers. This is where your elderberries will eventually form.
2. Timing is Key
Forage for elderflowers during the best time of the year – late spring to early summer. This is when the elder trees are in full bloom, and the creamy-white flowers are at their peak flavor. Aim for a time when the majority of flowers in the cluster have opened.
3. Recognizing the Blooms
Focus on identifying the elderflower blooms rather than elderberries. Elderflowers are creamy-white and have a sweet, fragrant aroma.
4. Choose Fresh and Healthy Blooms
Select only the freshest and healthiest elderflower blooms for your cordial. Avoid flowers that are browning or have signs of wilting. The best elderflowers will be fully open and vibrant.
5. Respect Nature
Practice responsible and sustainable harvesting while foraging. What is sustainable living? Only take what you need, leaving enough flowers for the plant to reproduce and support local ecosystems. Be mindful of your surroundings and follow ethical foraging practices.
How to Make Homemade Elderflower Cordial with Step-by-Step Pictures
How to Use Elderflower Cordial
You can use elderflower cordial just as you would a flavored simple syrup. You can mix it with sparkling water for a refreshing beverage, or liquor for a fancy cocktail and serve it over ice, you can drizzle it over pancakes or ice cream, bake with it in your favorite cake and muffin recipes, you can make a salad vinaigrette by mixing a splash of it with olive oil or you can mix it with water or milk and then freeze in popsicles molds for a refreshing treat or make a sorbet. The possibilities are endless!
Storing
For longer shelf life, it's essential to store your elderflower cordial in sterilized containers. Start by cleaning your glass bottles or jars thoroughly. You can either run them through a hot wash in the dishwasher or wash them in hot, soapy water. Ensure the bottles are completely free of any residue.
You can pour the strained, cooled cordial into any lidded vessel of your choice and then keep it stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months (and possibly longer). It is highly acidic, so it stores well. So long as the cordial doesn't have any off-putting smells, it is likely just fine!
Ingredient Substitutions
Honey: If you are vegan or prefer a different sweetener, you can certainly use something different. Agave syrup, maple syrup, coconut sugar, cane sugar—it all works in this recipe.
Citric Acid: Use 3 tablespoons of vinegar of choice in place of the two tablespoons of citric acid, if need be.
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Elderflower Cordial
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup honey we like to use raw, unfiltered
- 2 cups boiling water heat on stovetop or water kettle, etc.
- 1 fresh lemon sliced
- 2 tablespoons citric acid
- 10 medium fresh elderflowers heads make sure the stems aren't attached as they are toxic!
Instructions
- In a large pot or mixing bowl add the honey and boiling water. Stir until the honey dissolves.
- Add lemon slices, citric acid and elderflower heads. Give a good stir and then cover.
- Let it sit for at least 4 hours (or up to 2 days).
- Strain the cordial and let it cool to room temperature before storing in the fridge for up to two months.
Michelle says
Such an easy recipe to make; I substituted with granulated sugar since I didn't have honey on hand and it turned out great!
Kristen says
I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Sharon says
What a unique way to use elderflower for a drink! I love the idea of using flowers in cooking.
Cathleen says
This is one of the most beautiful recipes I have seen all day! Bookmarked to make this weekend, thank you so much for the recipe 🙂
Kristen says
That means a ton! Thank you! 🙂
Andrea says
Learned something, cordial does not mean alcohol and how easy it is to make. Can't wait to try this and make some Popsicles with it.
Kristen says
Thank you so much! 🙂
Mairead says
Elderflower cordial is extremely popular in Ireland. Thanks for a great recipe. I love to make elderberry cordial also.
Kristen says
Very neat! Thank you so much! 🙂
Jacqueline Meldrum says
I love elderflower cordial but never thought of making my own. Thanks for the recipe and inspiration.
Tara says
This elderflower cordial looks amazing! I love how easily it comes together and such wonderful flavors. Yum!
Kristen says
Thank you so much!!
Diana Reis says
So yummy, and so nice to have something a bit different.
AISilva says
I've never made cordial before, but this elderflower cordial recipe looks so good, I can't wait to try it. Thank you!
Kristen says
Thank you!!
Suja MD says
I just love this and its was a big hit with everyone. And this was such a pleasing experience!
Ieva says
Amazing recipe! Love that it is refined sugar-free! My cordial is just cooling now, but I had a little lick of the spoon and it tastes amazing! Cannot wait to try it properly!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
One of my favourite drinks in the summer but I've never made it. Can't wait to make it myself.
Kate says
Just love using freshly picked elderflowers to make homemade cordial - this is a lovely recipe, just the right balance of sweetness. Thank you!
Sherry says
What a great cordial recipe! I used fresh Michigan maple syrup and my elderflower cordial turned out amazing!! Thank you for a great recipe.
Sherrie says
This is simply delightful! I'll be making this on repeat!
Kristen says
Thank you so much! Very happy to hear. 🙂
Mandy Applegate says
I'll never buy elderflower cordial again! I made a big batch and gave some away as gifts.
Rupali says
This was my first time making cordial. Such a beautiful drink, and a wholesome recipe! The house smells wonderful too!
Shelby says
My favorite way to use this is to drizzle it over fresh muffins, it adds such a yummy flavor!
Glenda says
This was so much easier than I expected! Delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Randy says
With your step by step instructions, making this elderflower cordial recipe was so easy. Thank you for a great recipe!
Kate says
I found fresh elderberry flower heads at my farmers' market and what a great way to use them. The last time I enjoyed a cordial like this I was in Ireland, and the sipping your cordial brought me back. Thanks for the recipe!
Gen says
This was so lovely and easy to make! We plan to add it to a cocktail this weekend. Thank you for the recipe!
Jennifer says
What and amazing recipe! I had no idea I could do this with elderlfowers and now everybody wants a bottle!
Kristen says
Thanks so much! So happy to hear.
Sonal says
What a great recipe and such an informative article as well!
Kristen says
Thank you so much! 🙂
Gina says
This was really easy to make and I love it with some seltzer - the perfect mocktail!
Jere says
I love mixing flavors into sparkling water and this syrup was so simple to make and love the unique flavor.
Lisa says
I stumbled on this recipe looking for ways to use elderberry. The drink was super easy to make and tasted very good.
JD says
This is a GREAT recipe, and the pictures are as beautiful as this recipe turns out. Thank you!
Liz says
This Elderflower cordial was so good!! Thanks for the easy recipe. I'll make it again for sure!