10 Elderflower Recipes and Uses (2024)

The elegant elderflower – if you’ve been noticing large, creamy blossoms on forest edges, then you’re probably seeing the flower of the elder. In this post, we are sharing an assortment of elderflower recipes to try yourself. Like us, we hope you find the flower an alluring early-summer resource!

It seems appropriatethat the elder is under the sign of Venus. When you begin working with itsaromatic blooms, it’s easy to understand why the elder means purification and love in the language of flowers. In fact, when standing amid an elder in full bloom, one almost feels the presence of the goddess Venus herself.

Fittingly, the delicateflower helps women remain beautiful; it has been used since ancient Egyptian times for reducingwrinkles and age spots. It also inspired the poet Seamus Heaney when he wrote his Glanmore Sonnets:

He lived there in the unsayable light.

He saw the fuchsia in a drizzling noon,

The elderflowers at dusk like a risen moon

And green fields greying on the windswept heights.

Shamans and medicine people worldwide believed elder was a supportive plant and commonly used it for upper respiratory ailments and topically for skin problems. Traditionally, our herbalist elders, such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Pliney the Elder recognized its strength as a diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and more. Recent research from Israel and the United Kingdom has confirmed some of these claims.

Elder has long been a human ally – read more about this herb here. And below, you will find an assortment of elderflower recipes and uses to try yourself. Like me, I hope you find the flower an alluring early-summer resource!

When I was in England a few years ago, I ran across a non-alcoholic drink known as “Elder Flower Cordial,” and I fell in love. When I came home, I experimented until I came up with this recipe:

Elderflower Cordial

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Ingredients

Thirty ounces of water
Four to five elderberry umbels, with most of the stems removed

Directions

  • Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat.
  • Add the elderberry umbels to the water, cover, and let stand for several hours.
  • Strain the flowers and measure the water before returning it to a clean pot.
  • Add the same amount of sugar as you have liquid and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Chill.
  • Add the syrup mixture to sparkling water to taste.

I fill jars 2/3 full of this syrup and freeze it for winter use. I’ve used it on pancakes and in cake mixes. It makes a wonderful punch, too.

10 Elderflower Recipes and Uses (1)

Elderflower Fritters

Making fritters is one of my favorite ways to enjoy elderflowers. All you need is fresh elder flowers and pre-made pancake mix. A variety of recipes can be found in old cookbooks, or use the one in this post:

http://theherbalacademy.com/2015/06/the-joy-of-harvesting-and-using-elder-flowers/

Elderflower Vinegar

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Ingredients

Vinegar (apple cider, white wine, or champagne all make excellent choices)
Elder flowers

Directions

  • Fill a jar with fresh elder flowers.
  • Cover with vinegar.
  • Let sit for at least a month, strain, and pour the infused vinegar into a sterilized bottle.

When I make an elderberry oxymel, I use elder-infused vinegar. You can do the same thing with elixirs and elder flower honey.

Elder Flower Evening Beverage

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Ingredients

5 fresh elder flowers
A few springs of lemon balm
Peels from one lemon
Vodka
Sugar

Directions

  • Remove elder stems and put the flowers in a glass jar, along with the lemon balm and lemon peel.
  • Add enough vodka to cover and let sit for at least two weeks.
  • Strain flowers from vodka.
  • Add a sugar syrup (to taste) and let sit at least two more weeks.
  • Serve this delicious beverage over ice.

10 Elderflower Recipes and Uses (2)

Elderflower for Allergy Support

Allergies are troublesome for many of us, especially during this time of year. Check out these six plants that may offer support, with instructions on how to use them:

http://theherbalacademy.com/2015/05/allergy-home-remedies-for-families/

10 Elderflower Recipes and Uses (3)

Formula for Hot & Moist Cold/Flu

This cold and fever tea formula, made with five common plant allies, is one to make this summer. That way, you’ll be ready for cold and flu season when it arrives.Find instructions here:

http://theherbalacademy.com/2014/07/yarrow-as-a-natural-remedy-for-fever-and-flu/

10 Elderflower Recipes and Uses (4)

Elderflower Wine

You may have heard of elderberry wine, but there many ways to make wines using ingredients you probably have growing right in your own backyard.Check out these seven plants and let the winemaking begin!

http://theherbalacademy.com/2015/04/turn-these-7-herbs-and-flowers-into-country-wine/

Elderflower Tea – Always a Wise Choice

If you’ve never collected elder flowers or made an elderflower tea, you’re in for a treat. Learn how to harvest elderflowers and transform them into a lovely beverage!

http://www.thedancingherbalist.com/#!Edlerflower/chwf/5506f4950cf2458597d0705a

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Three-Flower Vinegar

This vinegar is wonderful for the skin! This recipe calls for lavender buds, rose petals, and elderflowers. Learn how to make this skin-soothing vinegar here:

http://www.indieherbalist.com/blog/three-flower-vinegar-first-aid-for-skin

Elderflower Sorbet

This tasty sorbet is made with gooseberries, honey, and elderflowers. In addition to the sorbet recipe, you’ll find four more ideas for using elderflowers to make elderflower vinegar, champagne, infused almond milk, and elderflower pancakes. Get all the recipes in this post.

http://www.wildplantforager.com/blog/5-delicious-elder-flower-recipes-other-than-just-syrup

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10 Elderflower Recipes and Uses (2024)

FAQs

What can you do with elderflowers? ›

Elderflower recipes
  1. Lemon & elderflower celebration cake. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. ...
  2. Lemon & elderflower traybake. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  3. Elderflower, lemon & vanilla cordial. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  4. Easy elderflower liqueur. ...
  5. Pollen. ...
  6. Elderflower sorbet. ...
  7. Passionfruit & elderflower spritz. ...
  8. English garden co*cktail.

What does elderflower pair well with? ›

The lightly sweet nuances of elderflower blend well with many other natural fruit flavors and botanicals, including honey, pear, blackberry, strawberry, grapefruit, orange, lime, passionfruit, ginger, and even herbal flavors like rosemary, basil, and lemongrass.

Which is better elderberry or elderflower? ›

If you're looking for a nutrient rich herb for immune system support that's easy for the whole family to take, then elderberry is the best option. If you're looking to support everyday health and provide your body with a source of natural antioxidants, then elderflower is a great option.

Can you eat raw elderflowers? ›

How to use elderflowers. The flowers and berries are the only edible part of the plant. They are mildly toxic and have an unpleasant taste when raw. Cooking destroys the toxic chemicals.

How do you harvest and use elderflower? ›

Harvesting elderflowers

On a cool sunny morning, cut the elderflower clusters off, when the dew on the freshly opened individual flowers has dried off, and place them loosely in a basket. Use the harvested elderflowers as soon as possible, otherwise they will wither.

What are the disadvantages of elderflower? ›

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.

Is elderflower good for anxiety? ›

Elder flower tea may also be useful against insomnia, anxiety and other nervous disorders. The flowers are a significant source of Vitamin C, as well as other antioxidants. The ripe berries also have a laxative effect in small doses, but may cause nausea and vomiting in larger amounts.

Is elderflower a natural laxative? ›

It's often used medicinally. Though research is limited, elderflower might help treat constipation, reduce cold and flu symptoms, treat gingivitis, and even control blood sugar. Elderflower is generally recognized as safe by the FDA.

When to pick elderflower? ›

Depending upon where you live, elderflowers are at their peak in late spring to early summer. In most regions, mid-June seems to be the best time for picking. If left to their own devices, the flowers will turn into delicious, dark purple berries around August, which must be cooked to remove cyanidin glycoside.

What is the difference between elderflower and elderberry? ›

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.

How to remove bugs from elderflower? ›

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.

Who should not take elderflower? ›

Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Diabetes: There is a concern that elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. If taken with diabetes medications, it might make blood sugar levels go too low. If you have diabetes and use elderflower, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels carefully.

What flavors go well with elderflower? ›

Elderflower liqueurs are delicately flavoured, aromatic and floral; they mix brilliantly with pretty much every spirit, both white and brown, even combining well with the strong flavours of mezcal, peated whisky and pisco. Elderflower tends to mix better with light-coloured fruits such as pear, apple and white grapes.

Can I drink elderflower everyday? ›

Traditionally herbalists recommend taking elderflowers daily in the allergy season to reduce symptoms. They can also be used topically as they impart anti-inflammatory properties, so they're great for calming irritated skin.

What does elderflower taste like? ›

By itself, the elderflower flavor profile is described as a uniquely fresh, fruity, green and slightly floral with subtle pear, lychee and tropical nuances.

Can you drink elderflower? ›

Elderflower cordials and syrups have long made an appearance in drinks, both alcoholic and not. This is particularly true in the United Kingdom, where the tiny white flowers flourish, and homemade cordials are a summer tradition.

What are the benefits of elderflower flower? ›

Historically used for:
  • detox programs.
  • treatment of respiratory problems.
  • fortifying the immune system against common cold and flu.
  • relieving allergies.
  • purifying blood.
  • maintaining healthy skin.
  • anti inflammatory properties.

When to harvest elderflowers? ›

Depending upon where you live, elderflowers are at their peak in late spring to early summer. In most regions, mid-June seems to be the best time for picking. If left to their own devices, the flowers will turn into delicious, dark purple berries around August, which must be cooked to remove cyanidin glycoside.

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