Can our homemade ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR rival the famous St.Germain?

In this video we make a homemade elderflower liqueur and compare it to the famous St. Germain liqueur in a blind test. My daughter then tests both versions in a cocktail made with garden fresh strawberries and thyme.
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Elderflower liqueur recipe
10 elderflower heads
1/2 liter/ 2 cups vodka
50 ml/ 1/4 cup water
50 g/ 1/4 cup sugar
Pick the flowers on a sunny day and choose fully open but not yet brown blossoms. Pull the flowers gently from the stalks, place in a glass jar and pour over the vodka. Place a weight (I use a small ramekin) on top to keep the flowers submerged. Leave for 2 weeks in a cool, dark place. Strain through a sieve. In a small pan over a gentle heat dissolve the sugar in the water, let cool before adding to the rest. Bottle and store in a cool dark place. Keeps well.
Strawberry elderflower jam recipe: www.growntocook.com/?p=2243
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[@harriettejensen479]

I made elderflower cordial for the first time this year, thinking I would give it to my son and his wife for Christmas as I don't usually drink. I extracted the elderflowers in the vodka for 10 days, then strained it and added a simple syrup (1.5 litre water/2.5 kg sugar heated until the sugar melted) and the rind (no pith) of a whole small lemon. I drank a small glass 1 day later. I found it sweet, with a definite aroma of elderflower, but nothing of the lemon. It was very smooth and I drank it straight with ice in it. Definitely got a good buzz from very little :).

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks for sharing your recipe, Harriette! I think I will try adding some lemon rind next time too!

[@zullylozano1840]

What a fun video! I’ll give this recipe a try when I start growing my own elderberry. Your daughter is a natural in front of the camera. ❤️

[@GrownToCook]

Thank you! It was so fun to film together :)

[@ChevLeM]

I love her comment of "shall we chug it" 😂 also her cocktail skills put my student cocktail days to shame

[@GrownToCook]

You should have seen the rainbow jello-shots and rainbow pizza Esther made for our Pride party! I told her she should consider party planning as a back-up career :)

[@terhiyp]

Thank you for the fun video! I've been binge watching all your videos during the past week and learned a lot! I can't really plant many of the same plants here in Nordics as you, but there is always something I can adapt to suit our climate. I have made a lot of different liquors from different currants and other berries (rowanberries and sea buckthorn included), rhubarb, and spruce spring needle buds (whatever the correct term is in English!). The ratio and recipe I use for all is as follows: fill a jar (with a tight lid) with two measures of the main ingredient followed by one measure of sugar. Repeat until the jar is full, and then fill up with as strong spirit as you like (I use 40 % of alcohol per vol). There should be at least around 30 volumetric % of alcohol in the spirit to ensure that the main ingredient won't rot! Keep on sunny windowsill until all sugar has dissolved (shake a few times a day), then keep in dark cool cupboard for 2-4 months. Check once in a while to make sure that the berries or whatever you are using are covered with alcohol to keep out mold. Berries will keep beautifully, but lighter materials might not soak enough booze to keep, consider using some kind of weight with those. Strain and bottle, and let sit for another month. Usually our berries ripen in August, and the liquor will be ready nicely in time for Xmas. This is a failproof recipe and all liquors have turned very very tasty! Of course they are sweet, as liquors tend to be :) For flavored vodka one can omit most of the sugar, but a little is good for balancing the taste and some claim it helps to get more flavor out (not sure about this as I have not tried without). For soft fruit it is better to use less sugar, and shorten the infusion period a bit.The all time biggest hit is black currant liquor, it is extremely tasty and also dangerous as one cannot taste the alcohol at all! I guess my personal "least favorite" has been the rowanberry, it was quite bitter. Also it is not a good idea to add any spice (like cinnamon or vanilla pods) during the infusion, as they overtake any other flavor over the long infusion period... I may have made "Vanilla with a hint of rhubarb" liquor instead of "Rhubarb with a hint of vanilla" :D

[@airodarkwind8719]

My gosh! I could never ever image you already have a college level daughter because you look so young for it.

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks so much! I'm definitely at an age that this makes me happy to hear :)

[@tottering-by-gently]

What a fun experiment! I discovered your channel recently via Huw Richards and am thoroughly enjoying your content. Happy gardening from the US 🌼

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks so much, Kristin!

[@nicoledigruber8965]

I will definity try this. I love elderflowers. I also just ordered your book. I love your channel and cannot wait to read it

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks so much, Nicole! I hope you'll enjoy my book! Would you please consider writing a review on Amazon? It helps a lot!

[@nicoledigruber8965]

@@GrownToCook I am so excited as it is meant to arrive tomorrow. I will do a review then. have a lovely day

[@nicoledigruber8965]

@@GrownToCook Your book arrived today. I spent the afternoon reading most of it. It is so well written and beautifully illustrated. I am glad I ordered it. I am working on my allotment plot in my second year and I have been trying to follow a no-dig approach. I am also starting up a community garden, so this will come in very handy. I left a review on Amazon, but the page said it may take a few days before it is approved.

[@Flowerfairy65]

This was such a nice video. I’m inspired to make my own :)

[@wayneu1233]

This is so nice! I'm going to try this with my elderflowers!

[@GrownToCook]

I hope you enjoy it too!

[@kathleenreynolds6492]

So fun! My elderberries are just flowering for the first time now. I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thank you.

[@GrownToCook]

I hope you like it! Ours are flowering too, so it’s time for another batch!

[@mgoldfield5821]

Love this! I grow elder in my garden and will definitely try this!

[@GrownToCook]

Let me know how you like it!!

[@thegardenmuse2398]

My elder flowers are about to blossom, can't wait to try this. You and your daughter are so adorable together! Mine is 11 now. Not ready for her to fill up my liquor cabinet just yet LOL!

[@GrownToCook]

Haha, it will happen before you know it :)

[@mexico53ify]

I gave myself a bottle of St Germain some years ago for Christmas...I love it!

[@GrownToCook]

It is really nice!

[@idahogardengirl942]

Thank you for the video! What a nice idea! Last year I discovered that I have a small elderberry bush near my front door! Perhaps I will try your recipe! Thanks again!

[@GrownToCook]

What a happy discovery! It's fun to experiment with liqueurs made with garden (or foraged) produce - I also have a rhubarb liqueur recipe on the blog :)

[@bilbocrackers3246]

Absolutely fabulous!

[@GrownToCook]

Thank you! It was fun to film with my daughter :)

[@EM-kl9bq]

Don't chuck it! Lol. That was great! Thanks for sharing those cool recipes. 😎💕

[@GrownToCook]

Thank you! I loved filming with Esther :) Maybe she should so a guest appearance more often with a garden cocktail recipe!

[@gregmartin3984]

You guys are adorable! I'm really loving your channel. My elderberries are just starting to flower. I'm looking forward to working with them as I've read that their pollen has yeast that can be used to ferment a sugar solution. Wish me luck!

[@GrownToCook]

Thank you, Gregory! That sounds like an interesting thing to try - let me know how it works out!

[@shadowharlequin77]

Love your daughters rainbow heart ! ❤️ great video

[@GrownToCook]

Thank you! Esther made a rainbow pizza that evening in honour of pride month too

[@falsificationism]

What a neat idea. Now I’m inspired to get creative with garden-based cocktails. Especially if I have more berries or flowers than I can immediately use. (Also, your daughter is so great on camera too-excellent duo.)

[@GrownToCook]

It was so fun to do this with her - maybe we should do more cocktails on the channel? I asked her if she can think of a cocktail recipe to make with black raspberries :)

[@hotpoodle1]

Great video!!!💕✌

[@donnalivermore591]

loved this!

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks, Donna!

[@CTR6067]

Fun video. Thank you!

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks, Cheryle, it was fun to make :)

[@kathrynkidd7828]

I made very fizzy elderflower ‘champagne a couple of years ago. It was very easy and only took about two weeks from memory. It was very pleasant to drink and quite dry. 🙂

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks, Kathryn! I've read about elderflower champagne but have not tried making it yet! I should!

[@kathrynkidd7828]

GrownToCook In November ( in New Zealand ) when the elderflowers are blooming I will make your recipe with the vodka. At present I have a vodka based liqueur about ready to bottle. It is made using a limoncello recipe, but using feijoas, sometimes called pineapple guavas. I made limoncello last month. I wonder if it could be made with the ripe elderflower berries. Just a thought. The Feijoa cello and limoncello is lovely with sparkling water and ice.

[@melstill]

Oh good! I thought for a second I was going to actually have to wait two weeks for the results.

[@GrownToCook]

Haha, no, I wanted to post quickly so that people still get a chance to make this while elderflowers are available :)

[@melstill]

@@GrownToCook I've been considering planting elderberry in my garden. I think you've just tipped me into doing it this year. My garden thanks you, I think. : )

[@markant007]

Very nice i will try to make this

[@wilmavankreuningen3282]

Je video was net op tijd. Kon nog de laatste vlierbloesem uit mijn tuin in Almere Oosterwold oogsten. Heb hier likeur van gemaakt. Gisteren was hij klaar en konden we hem proeven. Was erg lekker. Dit jaar maar 1/2 litertje, dat wordt volgend jaar absoluut meer. Bedankt voor de inspiratie.

[@atecay3636]

I used to have Elderflower in my first garden. I didn't know what is was then and did not value it! I will need to hunt one down to plant in my home... Then I will try making my own elderflower liquor. Thank you for this fun video!

[@GrownToCook]

Thank you, Ate! Elderberry is a great bush to have - there are even some very ornamental varieties such as 'Black Lace' with dark foliage and pink blossom.

[@zw5509]

Beautiful lupines! I have two Elderberry seedlings growing this year. A next year project! Esther did great. Ready for her own channel.

[@GrownToCook]

The lupins are definitely stealing the show at the moment! Yes, Esther did a great job - explaining everything so well! Maybe we should make garden cocktails a tradition on the channel :)

[@zw5509]

@@GrownToCook Lupines are my favorites! Yes, do some more drinks/ cocktails around your garden products.

[@mydanishgarden3112]

We have quite a few elderflower trees around us including one on our boundary fence. We usually make Elderflower cordial and then freeze it in ice cubes to drink through the summer, and elderberry jam in the autumn. We will definitely add this to our collection of alcoholic fruit drinks we make from our produce. Thank you from Denmark for a wonderful video 😊

[@GrownToCook]

Thank you, Johnny, glad you enjoyed it! I also like making elderberry jam - hopefully there will be enough berries later! p.s. I have a recipe for rhubarb liqueur on my blog in case you're interested :) www.growntocook.com/?p=5295

[@mydanishgarden3112]

@@GrownToCook thank you, I'll check that out. We've got plenty of rhubarb growing here too, the viking makes a really good rhubarb crumble with an oats and marzipan topping. I'm happy though to save some for a liqueur, the winter here is dark and long, and a good variety of liquid treats help pass the time sat by the log fire.

[@masterofgarden3472]

Very adorable and lovely video.

[@tigrapoedie44]

Leuke video. Ben benieuwd naar nieuwe recepten wat je uit je tuin kan bereiden. Hier een daar een leuke nieuwe cocktail recept van uw dochter, ja ik zie wel zitten deze zomer in de tuin met zo'n lekker glaasje.😀👍

[@GrownToCook]

Dank je wel, Kevin! Volgens mij vond ze het ook leuk om te doen, dus wie weet :)

[@growinginthecountry646]

I must try this! I only noticed today that we are surrounded by elder bushes, it's everywhere!! I'm going to make some sparkling elderflower wine and some cordial, but I think I'll try this too!

[@GrownToCook]

Elderflower wine sounds divine!

[@CassieAStone]

I planted two bushes this year! Hope to try this soon!

[@GrownToCook]

Elderflower can grow pretty fast in the right spot :) OUur bush had a little set back because my husband accidentally cut it down when it was small and surrounded by tall grass but now it's growing like crazy

[@CassieAStone]

@@GrownToCook oh thays good to know! I got mine as bare roots plants in the spring amd have them in pots, I thought they were still too small to survive in the yard for that exact reason. I have a teenager that mows and doesnt always pay attention. 😂

[@oishd6077]

This was fun.😀

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks, it was fun to film too :)

[@HealthGeekMum]

Oh this one is fun one hahah. I am Polish (live in Scotland) and we make a lot of flavoured vodkas we call "nalewka", depending on what you add to it it can be even used for "medical" purposes e.g. one with green walnut shell is good for indigestion and one with hawthorn is good for heart. I use elderberry and juice them as their are fantastic for colds in autumn. But will try this liquor! Also here in Scotland a elderflower 'champagne' is popular so I am going to try to make so. Apparently you pick elderflowers and cover them with water for a while and they start to fizz up 😊😁

[@rkardo]

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree seems relevant for this one video. Thanks for this one.

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks, Ricardo! It was fun to do this together and she did such a good job on camera :)

[@uppanadam74]

The way you just stumbled in the first part of the video and on your words it sounds like you had a couple before filming!! And here I was thinking you were a good girl!! LOL!! Never thought you had it in you!! LOL!!

[@GrownToCook]

Haha, I swear I was perfectly sober in the first part of the video! But the cocktails are treacherous :)

[@uppanadam74]

@@GrownToCook Hah hah!! I'm proud of you girl!! LOL!!

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

I really enjoyed this mother/daughter collaboration. I am new to the channel. Thank you for this fun and interesting video. I planted two native elder _(Sambucus cerulea)_ last fall and another two in January. I am looking forward to experimenting with them. There were several _Sambucus racemosa_ growing wild in the back of the property, but I am a little nervous about using either the flower or berries as I have read they are poisonous.

[@davidthescottishvegan]

When it comes to the Sambucus racemosa I checked it on Missouri botanical garden plant finder and the berries aren't poisonous but taste sour so don't usually get consumed raw but can be used cooked. It is the leaves of the plant that are poisonous to humans.

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

Fire Effects Information System (FEIS; www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/samrac/all.html) *Wildlife:* ... "Browsing ungulates consume red elderberry foliage, although red elderberry browse is not preferred on all sites. The browse contains _cyanide,_ which is bitter, so red elderberry use may be light in areas where more palatable forage is available." ... *Palatability:* Red elderberry browse is generally palatable to elk, deer, mountain goats, and bears. Palatability of red elderberry browse increases after frost and probably varies with relative _cyanide content_ of individual plants. ... *Nutritional value:* Although not preferred, red elderberry browse is highly nutritious. Analysis of summer browse species on Isle Royale found red elderberry had the highest mean nutrient value (crude protein + mineral content) of 28 species. However, moose browsed it in only trace amounts, less than predicted based on its nutritional content (P

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

PERMACULTURE RESEARCH INSTITUTE (www.permaculturenews.org/2017/11/07/exceptional-elderberries/) "Ah, elderberries, *deliciously poisonous,* yet good for you. The fruit you should eat…if you know what you’re eating. While they say all berries are edible, at least once, the berry of the Sambucus genus is indeed edible but *MUST be cooked first to break down the cyanide-inducing glycoside.* Why? Because, *eating too much of the cyanide-inducing glycosides will cause a toxic buildup of cyanide (yes, that is poison) in the body and will make you sick, put you in a coma, and/or possibly kill you.* _When you heat the berries it destroys the cyanide-inducing glycosides in the seeds and therefore makes the berries safe to eat._ *It should also be noted that all other parts of the elderberry plant are toxic and should NOT be eaten ever, with the exception of the flowers.* " (Italics and bold font face mine.)

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

@@davidthescottishvegan What the Missouri Botanical Garden database actually says is: "Fruits are sour and _usually not consumed raw by humans,_ but *may be cooked for use in the preparation of wine, jelly and pies.* Fruits are attractive to wildlife." (Italics and bold font face mine. www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=278937&isprofile=0&=) It does _not_ say the berries are _not_ poisonous, but that *"they may be cooked for use."* I have included more technical quotes pertaining to *cyanide* and *cyanide-inducing glycoside* content in _Sambucus racemosa_ above. It turns out _all_ Sambucus contains _cyanogenic glycosides._ See www.acsh.org/news/2019/10/09/tincture-elderberry-how-professor-poisoned-herself-cyanide-14330 www.researchgate.net/publication/233262135_Cyanogenic_Glycosides_from_Sambucus_Nigra www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305197899001052 content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-berry-research/jbr180369 www.researchgate.net/profile/Seyed_Soheil_Saeedi_Saravi/publication/200835059_The_chemistry_pharmacology_and_clinical_properties_of_Sambucus_ebulus_A_review/

[@shirleybags3737]

You mentioned a strawberry and elderflower jam recipe, but I can't find it? I loved the liqueur recipe, going to try it with my daughter, Rose 👩🏼‍🌾💚

[@GrownToCook]

Hi Shirley, I put the link to the recipe in the description box but it's not easy to find, so here goes: Strawberry elderflower jam recipe: www.growntocook.com/?p=2243. I want to make a batch this week too! Hope you and your daughter will like the liqueur :)

[@Beaguins]

I enjoyed the humor of the whole idea here: total amateurs versus elite professionals. I'm not surprised by the result, but maybe with some practice you can make excellent homemade elderflower liquer.

[@bflat4378]

Thanks for the recipe, I will surely try it next June ! I'm currently trying the same recipe with dried flowers but it probably won't be as good as fresh flowers. I made like three liqueurs before this one, and I noticed the taste continues to change after mixing the spirit and the syrup, so I tend to wait at least one week before tasting, and more time with higher proof spirits.

[@GrownToCook]

Please let me know how it turned out with the dry flowers!

[@bflat4378]

​@@GrownToCook As expected, the taste is a bit "papery" (I don't know if the word exists...). It's drinkable but I wouldn't recommend it. I'll try with fresh ones this year!

[@Jan-Boer]

Gezellig zo met je dochter. Leuke video proost, hik. Als je vlierbloesem schermen een nacht in een ruime plastic zak laat staan, een beetje broeien, dan vallen de bloemetjes er zo vanaf. Misschien het proberen waard als je meer moet verwerken.

[@GrownToCook]

Dank je wel voor de tip, goed om te weten!

[@metsahaasi]

i always make elderflowersyrup. It's sugar to Water 1 to 2, just let it come to a boil and pour it over about 30 elderflowerheads. Let it steep over night and then strain and mix in the juice of 1 or 2 lemons. I like the Syrup because it's so versatile. Usually i'll have it with white wine or champaign. Or for kids i'd just use sparkling water.

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks for the recipe, Alessandro! That sounds good and simple to make!

[@deedeenielsen5851]

Can I use black elderflowers?

[@richardmcgreary6368]

What a lovely pair of women!

[@perryleopold7555]

👏

[@Brutusque]

Would it be okay to add sugar before you let it infuse?

[@GrownToCook]

I haven’t tried that and sugar in liqueurs is usually added after the macerating (also in fruit based liqueur)- so not sure how that would affect the result

[@mikkeljylland9153]

With the flowers I make lemonade, syrup and marmelade. With the berries I make lemonade and soup. I also feed the berries to my chickens.

[@GrownToCook]

Takk Mikkel! How do you make the marmalade? Do you add the flowers to fruit? I have a recipe for strawberry elderflower jam which is delicious!

[@mikkeljylland9153]

@@GrownToCook One easy way to do it is first making lemonade with elderflower, sugar and sliced lemon. When you drain the lemonade you just take the more solid leftovers and chop them. Perhaps reheating a little with the right amount of juice. So you get both lemonade and marmelade : )

[@ravenwood8303]

Use the elder flower liquor to make a hot toddy :)

[@GrownToCook]

Great idea, thanks!

[@christianhansen3292]

your daughter is sweet , wish i could taste the cocktail.

[@GrownToCook]

Thanks, Chris! The cocktail was delicious but treacherous :)

[@shawnamuschamp8972]

You have more of an accent than your daughter she sounds American 💕

[@GrownToCook]

Esther's program is in English and she studied in Canada at Queen's University last semester. She's going back there for her Master's degree in fall :)

[@williammcduff6531]

@@GrownToCook , Glad to see your daughter spent some time studying in Canada. I'm based in Montreal. Regards.

[@andyreed6899]

Yeah Yeah an excuse to get sozzled :)

[@GrownToCook]

Fortunately we were done with video before it really hit me :)

[@WalksandAll]

What an absolute(ly) Gay Vodka