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    Home » Drinks and Cocktails

    How to Make Homemade Elderflower Syrup (Cordial)

    Published: Jan 22, 2023 · Modified: Mar 18, 2023 by Melissa · This post contains links that pay me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A bottle of elderflower syrup with the words "how to make elderflower simple syrup" in text overlay.
    Bottle of syrup on a wood board with the words "how to make elderflower simple syrup" in text overlay.
    Bottle of syrup on a wood board with the words "homemade elderflower simple syrup" in text overlay.

    The floral and fruity flavor of this Homemade Elderflower Cordial Syrup goes perfectly in so many cocktails or mocktails! And, it is so much more affordable than buying a bottle of elderflower syrup. 

    Bottle of syrup on a wood cutting board that is labeled "elderflower syrup" across the front.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • What are elderflowers?
    • Ingredient Notes
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Simple Syrups vs. Rich Syrup
    • Recipe FAQ
    • Related recipes
    • Elderflower Cordial Syrup Recipe

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    • It only requires 3 simple ingredients!
    • You can adjust the sweetness to suit your taste preferences.
    • It’s way more affordable than store-bought elderflower syrup. 

    What are elderflowers?

    Elderflowers come from the elder tree (Sambucus nigra). Many people may also be familiar with the berries of the elder tree from elderberry syrups sold at various places.

    St. Elder and St. Germain liqueur are two brands that make elderflower liqueurs (alcohol based) that are widely found at many liquor stores. 

    Many claim a lot health benefits from elderflowers and elderflower tea (dried elderflowers) such as helping respiratory health, inflammation, diabetes, and more; however, there has not been any strong evidence for the health claims surrounding elderflowers. 

    From a culinary and food perspective, the FDA classifies elderflowers as a GRAS (generally recognized as safe) ingredient along with other herbs and spices such as chamomile, all spice, cinnamon, etc. 

    Ingredient Notes

    Ingredients shown on a white marbled countertop.
    • Elderflower tea – I am, like many people, not able to source fresh elderflower blossoms, but elderflower tea is much easier to find. I found mine on Amazon. The one I bought is 100% dried elderflowers.
    Image of Elderflower Tea (Bagged)

    Elderflower Tea (Bagged)

    Buy Now →
    • Granulated sugar – Just your basic white, granulated sugar or cane sugar is the best for this sweet syrup. Other sugars, like brown sugar, will overpower the delicate floral flavor. 
    • Water – Just plain still water. Using filtered water will help ensure the best taste.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Step 1 and 2 showing adding the water, tea bag, and sugar.

    Step 1: Heat your water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and add a elderflower tea bag. Use one tea bag per cup of water. Cut stove to slow and allow tea to brew for about 15 minutes. 

    Step 2: Add your granulated sugar. 

    Steps 3 and 4 showing whisking the syrup and then bottling the syrup.

    Step 3: Whisk the tea until the sugar is dissolved. 

    Step 4: Remove from heat and allow to cool completely. Then decant into a clean jar or bottle. It will keep for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. 

    Simple Syrups vs. Rich Syrup

    Simple syrups are the most common sweetener used in mocktails and cocktails. Rich syrups are thicker, sweeter, and more concentrated. You can make either when making your Elderflower Cordial Syrup. The ratios of sugar to water are:

    • Simple syrup = 1 cup sugar: 1 cup water
    • Rich syrup = 2 cups sugar: 1 cup water

    Recipe FAQ

    Where to buy elderflower tea?

    You can easily elderflower tea find on Amazon.

    What does elderflower cordial syrup taste like? 

    It is obviously sweet, but the elderflower has a delicate floral taste with lychee, pear, and vanilla notes. The floral flavor is not like other floral flavors such as lavender or rose. Elderflower has a more crisp and fruitier flavor than other edible flowers. 

    How to use elderflower cordial syrup?

    Ideas for using elderflower syrup:

    -Substitute elderflower cordial syrup for simple syrup in drink recipes (such as a champagne cocktail like a French 75)
    -Use it in place of elderflower liqueur to change a drink from alcoholic to non-alcoholic
    -Drizzling over fresh fruit or ice cream
    -Adding it to soda water to make DIY soft drinks
    -Brush on cakes to soak in before icing to give extra moisture to a cake
    -Sweeten iced tea on hot summer days
    -Add to an ice cube tray and freeze into ice cubes for a refreshing drink

    How long does elderflower cordial syrup last? 

    About 2-3 weeks in the fridge. If you increase the granulated sugar to 2 cups instead of just 1 (called a “rich syrup”), you can extend the time to 3-6 months. You will just need to adjust how much you use in your recipes to account for the extra sweetness. 

    If it starts to look cloudy or forms any films, you should dispose of it immediately. 

    Hands holding a bottle of syrup with a label on it that says "elderflower syrup".

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    Did you love this recipe?
    Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section below.
    Reviews will help others find this recipe!

    Bottle of syrup on a wood cutting board that is labeled "elderflower syrup" across the front.

    Elderflower Cordial Syrup Recipe

    Melissa
    The floral and fruity flavor of this Homemade Elderflower Cordial Syrup goes perfectly in so many cocktails or mocktails! And, it is so much more affordable than buying a bottle of elderflower syrup. 
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Cocktails, Mocktails, Syrup
    Cuisine European
    Servings 10 ounces (approx)

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup water
    • 1 bag elderflower tea
    • 1 cup granulated sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Bring water to boil in a small sauce pan.
    • Lower heat to low and add the elderflower tea bag. Brew for at least 15 minutes.
    • Add the sugar to the saucepan and whisk until completely dissolved. 
    • Discard the tea bag and allow to cool completely. 
    • Decant into a clean jar or bottle and keep for 2-3 weeks in the fridge. 

    Notes

    Syrup keeps for 2-3 weeks in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.
    If it starts to look cloudy or forms any films, you should dispose of it immediately. 
    To make a rich elderflower cordial syrup:
    Double the amount of sugar, but keep the water amount the same. 
    Keep the rich syrup for 4-6 weeks in the fridge or up to 6 months in the freezer.
    CLICK TO DISPLAY NUTRITION INFO

    Nutrition

    Calories: 77kcalCarbohydrates: 20gFat: 0.1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 0.4mgSugar: 20gCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.01mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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