Spring Elderflower Syrup
A seasonal syrup to preserve the soft richness of elderflower—ideal for teas, spritzers, or summer mocktails.
This fresh elderflower syrup is a wise and beneficial choice during early summer. With balanced proportions and a little care to preserve the flower’s subtle aroma and flavor, you can enjoy elderflower in any setting.
🌿 Why Syrup?
Elderflower is notoriously hard to dry—it often browns, crumples, and loses its charm. Its delicate scent doesn’t hold up well in vinegar or alcohol either, which makes simple syrup one of the best ways to preserve its full, buttery character.
This recipe is a beautiful way to dip your toe into the world of Sambucus canadensis (American elder) before elderberry season kicks off in late summer.
Elderflower is just the beginning—elderberry season arrives at summer’s end, and you can bet we’ll be stirring up some house-made gummies at Verdant Way.
⚠️ A Note on Toxicity
Most parts of the elderberry plant—leaves, stems, unripe berries—contain compounds that are toxic if eaten fresh. They must be boiled for at least 10 minutes before being consumed.
The exception? The flowers. These can be used fresh and raw—but only the flowers.
🌼 Elderflower Syrup Recipe
Batch size: ~2 cups
Estimated prep time: 30 minutes
Steep time: 12–24 hours
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh elderflowers, lightly packed (remove most stems)
- 2 cups distilled water
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice (optional, adds brightness and mild preservation)
Instructions
- Combine distilled water and sugar in a saucepan. Heat gently and stir until fully dissolved.
- Place cleaned elderflowers in a sanitized quart jar.
- Remove syrup from heat and stir in the lemon juice (if using).
- Pour the hot syrup over the elderflowers until fully submerged. Stir gently.
- Seal tightly and store in a cool, dark place for 12–24 hours.
- Strain well, bottle, label, and refrigerate.
🧊 Shelf Life
Keeps 3–6 months when refrigerated.
You’ll know it’s time to discard if the aroma fades or the syrup turns cloudy.
✨ Serving Suggestions
Try it:
– In lemonade or herbal iced teas
– Over yogurt, ice cream, or cakes
– In sparkling water, cocktails, or mocktails
– As a drizzle for fruit or pancakes
🌿 No Time to Brew?
No time to capture the magic yourself? We've got you. Our Elderflower Extract offers the same floral richness in a shelf-stable, alcohol-free glycerin blend—ready when you are.
