Aside from cheese, I think elderflower may just be one of my favourite ever flavours. A Hugo spritz is my go-to on a hot summer’s day, but I’m also obsessed with the classic elderflower cordial (which I have a fond memory of my auntie making!). I also bought a bottle of homemade elderflower fine once from the local harvest festival in our village last year – it was incredible flavour-wise but absolutely lethal!!
As you know, St Germain, the only elderflower liqueur on the market, is quite expensive – so why not consider making your own whilst elderflowers are in season?! All it requires is 20 minutes prep, and a few weeks of patience. I made a half batch this time as I still wanted to show you the process, but had loads left over from last year!
Use any white spirit with minimal flavour for the base of your liqueur (I would suggest vodka, but used Bacardi white rum in this recipe, as this was all I had on hand!), and fresh elderflower heads. I made this delicious liqueur straight after picking them on a long Sunday walk.
Read on for the full recipe.
Method
Follow these steps to make our Homemade Elderflower Liqueur
Start off by collecting fresh elderflowers – which can be found in the UK from May to June. Look for clusters of creamy-white, fragrant flowers on Elder Trees. Harvest them on a dry day by snipping the heads carefully, avoiding trees near polluted areas. Remember, only take what you need.
Shake the elderflower heads gently to remove any bugs and trim off any excess stalk. I wouldn’t recommend washing your elderflower heads as the flowers are far too delicate, and end up falling off!
Whilst alcohol is great for killing any germs, I’d still recommend sterilising your glass containers before adding your homemade elderflower liqueur. To do this, pop your oven on its lowest heat setting, before washing your glass containers with hot soapy water, and then pop them in the oven to dry for 15-20 minutes.
Fill up your large glass bottle or jar with the elderflowers and pour over your spirit of choice. Submerge the flowers in the alcohol using a few slices of lemons , covering the surface.
Seal the bottle tightly and store in a cool, dry place for 2-4 weeks, or until the liquid turns slightly amber in colour.
Truth be told, I actually completely forgot about my elderflower liqueur for about three months… but it was still absolutely delicious, and even stronger in flavour than my first batch!
When you’re ready to finish off your homemade elderflower liqueur, get started on making the simple syrup (this is what dilutes it into a liqueur, rather than a spirit). Over a gentle heat, combine your sugar and water until the sugar fully dissolves. Leave to cool.
Using a sieve and a large bowl, strain your elderflower and vodka mixture. Discard the leftover elderflower and lemon slices. Then, stir in your room temperature sugar syrup until combined. And that’s it! Add the finished elderflower liqueur back into your bottle before digging in!
Use in a Hugo spritz recipe, mixed with lemonade, or on its own over ice. Your elderflower liqueur will keep for up to a year when stored in a cool, dark place. For the best flavour, enjoy it within 6-8 months.
How To Use Your Homemade Elderflower Liqueur
Now that you’ve made your elderflower liqueur, there are so many ways to enjoy it:
- Mix with Prosecco and soda water for a Hugo spritz
- Add a splash to lemonade for a refreshing summer drink
- Serve over ice as an after-dinner digestif
- Drizzle over lemon sorbet for a boozy but refreshing dessert
This liqueur also makes for an impressive homemade gift for friends and family – simply finish with a bow and gift tag!
When is Elderflower in Season?
Elderflowers are typically in season from late May to early July in the UK and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. They have a short harvesting window, so don’t wait too long to forage your flowers!
If you’d like to learn more about which produce is in season right now, be sure to check out our Month-By-Month Guide on Seasonal Eating.
Seasonal Recipes From Savery Grazing
We hope you had fun making (and sipping!) this delicious elderflower liqueur throughout the summer season. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below – I’d love to hear how you’re using it!
For more seasonal recipes and foraging tips, check out our blog or follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
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