20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (2024)

FAQs

Is homemade elderflower cordial good for you? ›

What's so great about it, is that it doesn't raise blood sugar or insulin levels, making it the perfect choice for both kids and adults alike; and especially people with diabetes. So now that I have a big batch of the elderflower cordial, keep an eye out for a ton of tasty summertime recipes using it!

Elderflower has a woodsy and floral taste, and their sweetness comes out when elderflower is cooked. Photo courtesy of Shadi via Unsplash. Compared to elderflower, elderberry has a more intense taste: woodsy and floral, with a dark flavor that can be bitter and earthy when the fruit is consumed raw.

HOMEMADE ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL

Finely grate in the lemon zest and add the elderflower upside down, making sure the flowers are completely submerged. Squeeze in the juice from one of the lemons, then slice the other and add it to the pan, too. Pop the lid on and leave to one side to infuse for 24 hours.

However, the elderflowers' natural yeasts will no longer function so you'll have to add brewing yeast where relevant. Uses for dried elderflowers include wines, fizzes, teas and cordials.

Elderflower is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elderflower plant contain a cyanide-producing chemical which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking removes this chemical. Not enough is known about the safety of applying elderflower directly to the skin.

In a previously published study, we demonstrated nephroprotective effects, in terms of renal function and morphology, for Sambucus nigra L. elderflower extract rich in flavonoids, obtained from the wild specimens of European elder Sambucus nigra L. [10].

Special Precautions and Warnings

The combination product can cause digestive system upset and sometimes allergic skin rash. Elderflower is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elder tree contain a cyanide-producing chemical which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

This quarantees the easy mixability with sparkling wine/Champagne, or enjoyed chilled by itself!

No, this is non-alcoholic; elderflower cordial is a liqueur. I have both. I did use this (elderflower syrup) in a champagne co*cktail but I've used the elderflower liqueur in margaritas (to change it up from a "normal" margarita) and will use it in other drinks.

Why use citric acid in elderflower cordial? The addition of citric acid simply prevents the cordial from fermenting and acts as a preservative. You can buy citric acid for cordial online in a number of sizes depending on how you choose to use this versatile product.

What does elderflower pair with? ›

Elderflower tends to mix better with light-coloured fruits such as pear, apple and white grapes. Strong berry flavours such as raspberry, blackberry and blackcurrant can overwhelm elderflower liqueurs with only its honeyed sweetness contributing to such drinks, its floral flavours smothered by these dark fruits.

There is enough yeast in the flowers of the elderflower to cause it to ferment, go fizzy and become (very slightly) alcoholic. The solution is to freeze your cordial in small batches, and defrost as and when you need it.

Pour the two litres of boiling water over the elderflowers, cover the container, and then leave the mixture to infuse for 24 hours. After 24 hours strain the liquid into a large saucepan through a sieve lined with a clean piece of muslin or a tea towel, this will help strain out any remaining bugs or bits of pollen.

To make elderberry tea from dried elderberry flowers, use about 3-4 grams of dried flowers per cup of water. Bring water to a boil. Place dried flowers into a teapot and pour hot water. Cover the teapot and let it steep for 10 minutes.

Elderberry and elderflower actually come from the same plant, and represent its different growth stages. While consuming raw elderberries or other parts of the bark or leaves can be poisonous, the elderflower is an aromatic, light blossom that creates a floral and balanced flavor.

It's worth noting that ready-mixed sparkling elderflower cordial (AKA elderflower pressé) mostly comes in at more than 150 per cent the sugar level of its sister brand of cordial, so Belvoir and Bottle Green have 18.5g sugar per glass of pressé, but only 10.5g for a glass of cordial.

So, while a fruit cordial makes water more enjoyable thanks to the fruity flavour and sugar, fermented cordials like JIN JIN have wonderful health benefits. They're not only healthier because they create low-sugar drinks, but they also have a positive impact on your digestive system.

Try to limit sugary drinks such as soft drink, cordial, fruit drinks, sports drinks and energy drinks. The less alcohol you drink the lower your risk of harm from alcohol. Healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.