Fresh Homemade Elderflower Cordial with Lemon
A refreshing and floral homemade elderflower cordial with a bright lemon twist, perfect for spring and summer. Easy to make with simple ingredients and versatile for drinks and desserts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 36-48 hours (including steeping time)
- Yield: About 4 cups (32 ounces) cordial 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
Scale
- 20–25 fresh elderflower heads, fully open blooms
- 3 large organic lemons, zested and juiced
- 1.5 cups (300 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 cups (1 liter) fresh filtered water
- 1 teaspoon citric acid (optional)
Instructions
- Gently shake the elderflower heads to remove any bugs or dirt. Do not wash with water to preserve pollen.
- In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups (1 liter) of water to a boil. Add 1.5 cups (300 grams) of granulated sugar and stir until fully dissolved, about 5 minutes over medium heat. Remove from heat.
- Add the zest and juice of 3 large lemons to the warm syrup and stir to combine.
- Pour the syrup mixture into a large bowl or container. Add the elderflower heads and 1 teaspoon of citric acid if using. Stir gently, cover, and steep for 24-48 hours at room temperature (36 hours recommended).
- Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth into a clean bowl, pressing lightly to extract liquid but avoiding crushing stems.
- Using a funnel, pour the cordial into sterilized glass bottles. Seal tightly and refrigerate. Keeps fresh up to 3 weeks or can be frozen for longer storage.
Notes
Do not wash elderflowers with water to preserve pollen and flavor. Steep between 24-48 hours for best flavor; 36 hours is ideal. Citric acid helps preserve and balance sweetness. Thorough straining prevents cloudiness. Store in sterilized bottles and refrigerate. Use diluted with sparkling water or in cocktails.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 100 ml diluted cordi
- Calories: 80100
- Sugar: 2125
- Carbohydrates: 2125
Keywords: elderflower cordial, homemade syrup, lemon cordial, floral drink, spring beverage, summer drink, elderflower recipe