How to make ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL | Fiona's Food for Life

There is a short window in May/June where you can pick Elderflowers from parks and hedgerows in Ireland. Each year I pick the flowers in May and then come back to harvest the berries in September, to make two very delicious but different drinks.
I make this cordial once a year and then bottle it to use throughout the year. Unlike most of my other recipes, it does contain sugar and lots of it but you only use a small amount and dilute to use. It is really popular at my fermentation demos where it is added to my water kefir for the second ferment but it can also be added to sparkling water for a refreshing drink or poured over a summer fruit salad or in a gin and tonic.
Give the stem a little shake to remove any insects before you start making the cordial. The elderflower should have a slight 'body odour' type of smell when you smell it up close and have five leaflets on a single stalk.
UPDATE: REMOVE THE FLOWERS FROM THE STALK BEFORE STEEPING.
**Top tip - allow the sterilized bottles to cool slightly before filling as otherwise the bottle will crack!
** you can use coffee filter paper to strain if you prefer
Ingredients:
2kg caster sugar (or stevia)
1.2 L water
50 heads elderflower
3 unwaxed lemons
75g citric acid (to preserve)*
Directions:
1. Heat the sugar and water in a saucepan until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Remove any leaves from the elderflower and shake them off to remove any bugs. Place in a large bowl or container.
3. Using a peeler, remove the skin from the lemons and add to the sugar solution.
4. Slice the remaining lemons and place on top of the flowers.
5. Stir the citric acid into the sugar mixture until dissolved.
6. Pour this mixture over the flowers, mix well and ensure the flowers are immersed in the liquid.
7. Cover and leave to soak for 24- 48 hours.
8. Sterilize your bottles and lids, place clean glass bottles in the oven at 170°C for 15 mins or run them through the dishwasher without detergent.
9. Strain the soaking flowers through a clean muslin or j cloth into a sterilized jug. Using a funnel, pour into the bottles and seal the bottles.
10. These bottles can be kept for up to a year, once opened, keep in the fridge.
11. This is delicious drizzled over summer berries or as a drink with sparkling water or to jazz up a glass of prosecco!.
*Citric acid is available from pharmacies. The sugar can be replaced with stevia but it will seriously increase the cost.
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[@dawnpedley3481]

Thanks for this video. I used this recipe last year several times and it was lovely. Now using it again! 😊

[@rathdownmediainstitute8829]

Love the video Fiona and I'm going to try this out hopefully in June when the elderflowers appear!

[@fionasfoodforlife]

I’m looking forward to making mine! Last years supply ran out about 2 months ago

[@crazydiamond6512]

Do you not remove the stems? I thought they contained cyanide? I just fork the flowers off, no tapping as you lose the pollen. Just set them aside for the bugs to leave first. I could be wrong but you have to be careful

[@fionasfoodforlife]

Yes you are correct, You remove the main stalk, (I edited the text previously to advise people of this), as far as I am aware , the small light stalks that hold each flower onto the main stem are not of concern. If the bugs leave first that would be ideal!

[@stinaachick]

I forgot to buy citric acid. Can I add it a day later to the cordial before straining?

[@fionasfoodforlife]

Yes you can but dissolve it first

[@monkiafish]

Hi Fiona , I have just realised that on top of 2 bottles there is a mould, would you know the reason? What have I done wrong 😢?

[@fionasfoodforlife]

I am sorry to hear that, more than likely it would be that the tops of the bottles are fully sterilised. You could decant and rebottle and see if it seems ok.

[@mandysandilands4218]

Can I put the elderflowers in the freezer until I’m ready? To prepare them thanks

[@fionasfoodforlife]

I have never tried that but I guess I can’t see why not!

[@Pfessor_Moriarty]

Would you have a recipe or process for making elderflower wine?

[@fionasfoodforlife]

Good question but I haven’t ever tried making it!

[@thebalconygrower8439]

Where do you get the flower heads from? Do you have your own bush or do you forage for them?

[@fionasfoodforlife]

I forage for them

[@Pfessor_Moriarty]

@@fionasfoodforlife And would you pick before a certain time of day or anytime? I pick Furze flowers to make syrup but always before 11am if possible before the sun gets too warm so as to retain essential oils etc. for best flavour.

[@jol7094]

would you add the elderflower into the boiling water or do you wait for the water to cool down?

[@fionasfoodforlife]

I add it into the boiling water, but off the heat

[@IrisWade]

When do you put the elderflower in? There’s a jump from lemons to the prepared version but never actually placed the elderflower?

[@fionasfoodforlife]

paddygirl79 they go in at the beginning & then everything on top