Creating your own elderflower cordial is easy and only requires a handful of ingredients, such as fresh elderflowers, water, and lemon juice. The best time to gather elderflowers is typically in June, making this the perfect month to try out this recipe in the comfort of your own home. For optimal results, try making the cordial within a few hours of picking the flowers.

When is the best time to pick elderflowers?

To get the most out of your elderflowers, pick them on a dry, sunny morning before insects gather the pale yellow pollen. Elderflowers, known as Sambucus Nigra or common elder, typically bloom from May to June, but this may vary depending on the weather. Keep an eye out for a bountiful harvest in late spring if the winter months were mild.

Tips for picking elderflower

• Find elder trees that aren't by a busy road and avoid flowers lower down that dogs or foxes may have peed on

• They are best picked when the buds are freshly open on a warm, dry, sunny day away from traffic fumes. Wait for the tiny flowers to fully open (make sure they haven't turned brown) 

• Avoid any that smell of urine, the smell means they’re past their best

• Snip off the flower heads with as little stalk as possible so the plant is not damaged

• Before using, pick off any insects but don't run the flowers under the tap or you'll wash the natural yeasts off

Ingredients

1 kg Granulated sugar

1 litre boiling water

50 g citric acid or juice 2 large lemons

zest of 2 large lemons

15 elderflower heads, stalks removed

Directions

Step 1

Put the sugar in a bucket or basin with the boiling water and stir to dissolve. Add the citric acid or lemon juice and the lemon zest.

Step 2

Shake the elderflowers to remove any insects and add the flowers to the sugar syrup. Cover and leave to stand for 1-2 days, stirring morning and night.

Step 3

Strain the elderflower cordial through muslin and decant into sterilised bottles. It’s now ready to use.

Step 4

Add to water and ice for a refreshing, long drink or top up with Prosecco or Champagne for a summer fizz.