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Herbs & Cultures

Western herbal medicine →Monastic and folk knowledge →

Elderflower cordial

The scent of June in a bottle: a syrup of elderflower and lemon.

Traditional use

Time
30 minutes, plus 1–2 days steeping
Makes
About 1.5 litres of cordial
Image of Elderflower cordial
Jim Champion from Southampton, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0

Elder grew beside farms and monasteries all over Europe, and almost every part of it was used. The flowers were made into tea, fritters and syrup. A cordial is the easiest way to keep the blossom: diluted with still or sparkling water it makes a summery lemonade.

Ingredients

  • 20 elderflower heads, just open
  • 1 litre water
  • 1 kg sugar
  • 2 unwaxed lemons, sliced
  • Optional: 20 g citric acid (for longer keeping)

Step by step

  1. Pick the flower heads on a dry, sunny morning and shake out any insects; do not wash them.
  2. Bring the water and sugar to the boil until the sugar has dissolved and let it cool a little.
  3. Put the flowers and lemon in a clean jar, pour the syrup over, stir in the citric acid and cover.
  4. Leave in a cool place for 1–2 days, strain through a cloth and fill sterilised bottles.

Tips

  • Dilute about 1 in 8 with still or sparkling water.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 21

    Elderberry

    Sambucus nigra

    Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 221

    Lemon

    Citrus limon

    Traditionally attributed effects: anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, diuretic, strengthens the veins.

    Ayurveda+3Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

The herbs in this recipe also appear in these traditions.