This summer blesses us with long days, singing birds and lots of goods to forage from fields and forests. The Elderflower season is full on, and we at St Michael’s can’t get enough of these delicate and fragrant florets.

Elderflowers infuse this versatile syrup with a unique aroma and taste. All summer long we are going to use it for preparing beverages or as a delightful topping on fresh fruits, yoghurt, and desserts.

You can use fresh or dried elderflowers for this recipe, but the flavor is best if you use freshly picked flowers. Harvest the whole flower heads when the creamy white florets have just recently opened.

If you are foraging your elderflowers from wild plants, be 100% certain of your identification!

Ingredients:

• 20 – 25 elderflower umbels
• 1 quart/1 liter water
• 2 1/4 pounds/1 kilogram sugar

Method:

1. Rinse the flower umbels and give them a good shake to remove any insects or debris.
2. Remove the  florets from the stems using scissors or your clean fingers, dropping them into a large bowl or non-reactive container (no cast iron, copper, or aluminum).
3. Add the lemon juice and zest to the flowers.
4. In a separate pot, bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Once the sugar has completely dissolved, pour the hot syrup over the elderflowers and lemon. Stir well.
5. Cover the bowl or container. Leave the mixture at room temperature for 3 – 5 days. During this time the flavor of the elderflowers will infuse the syrup.
6. Strain the elderflower syrup through a sieve or colander lined with cheesecloth or butter muslin. Transfer the syrup to clean glass jars or bottles.

Elderflower syrup will keep in the refrigerator for 1 month. For longer storage at room temperature, bring the strained syrup to a boil. Pour it into clean canning jars or bottles leaving 1/2-inch of head space. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Once sealed, the syrup will keep at room temperature for at least a year (store opened jars in the refrigerator).

Serving suggestions:

• A tablespoon or two of elderflower syrup in seltzer or club soda makes a refreshing beverage.
• Add elderflower syrup to white wine or vodka for an aromatic aperitif.
• Drizzle elderflower syrup over fresh fruit (it’s especially good with strawberries), yogurt, or ice cream.
• Add a small spoonful of elderflower syrup to heavy cream before whipping it for a delicately flavored dessert topping.

  Bon Appetite!