20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (2024)

Summertime means elderflowers, and that couldn’t make me more happy! They have a delicate floral flavor that is delightful and perfect in drinks and desserts. Just like the elderberries they turn into, elderflowers have amazing medicinal benefits. They are also great to use in skin and body care recipes. I gathered up some of my favorite elderflower recipes for you to make this summer!

20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (1)

Elderflower Recipes

Elderflowers are easy to forage for and are a common sight in many locations (just make sure that you aren’t accidentally grabbing poison hemlock, but I don’t think they look that similar).

These recipes for food, medicine, and body care are the perfect way to use your wildcrafted elderflowers!

20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (2)

Elderflower Drinks

Some of the tastiest and most popular way to use elderflowers is in drinks. Use them when making mead, cordial, liqueur, soda, lemonade, and tea!

My favorite elderflower drink to make is elderflower sparkling mead!

Mead is wine made with honey instead of sugar, and this sparkling mead is similar to champagne.

Sparkling Elderflower Mead Recipe

Go foraging for elderflowers, and then make this sparkling mead recipe! This easy homemade sparkling elderflower mead recipe is low alcohol, delicately flavored, and the perfect foraged drink for a hot summer day!

Check out this recipe

Elderflower cordial (also known as syrup) is an old-fashioned sweet drink made from elderflowers, water, sugar, and lemons. Stir a bit into sparkling water or mix into cocktails for a nice drink!

If you prefer a boozy version check out this elderflower and lemon cordial.

You can also try this elderflower and strawberry cordial/syrup which sounds yummy!

Fermented elderflower soda is another delicious way to use them, or you can try my herbal water kefir soda recipe with elderflowers.

This elderflower kombucha is one I definitely want to make!

Herbal Water Kefir Soda

Turn water kefir, a healthy probiotic drink with gut healing properties, into an all natural herbal soda!

Check out this recipe

This elderflower lemonade looks amazing!

Here is my recipe for elderflower liqueur which turned out so good!

Elderflower Liqueur

Make this delicious elderflower liqueur when fresh elderflowers are in season!

Check out this recipe

Elderflower tea is a great way to enjoy its medicinal benefits. Elderflowers have similar immune boosting benefits as elderberries. They are also effective at reducing a fever and can help with allergy symptoms.

You can also try this iced wildflower infusion tea recipe that includes elderflowers!

Wildflower "Flower Power" Herbal Infusion Tea

Dried edible flowers are perfect for using in an wildflower herbal infusion. Make this recipe for "Flower Power" Wildflower Herbal Infusion Tea from the Foraging & Feasting book!

Check out this recipe

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Elderflower Jelly, Jam, and Curd

Elderflowers are great to use in wildflower jellies, either on their own or combined with other flowers. Try this elderflower and vanilla jelly, or this elderflower and wild honeysuckle jelly.

You can also make jam with elderflowers! Here is a recipe for gooseberry and elderflower jam, and this one for straight up elderflower jam.

Instead of making plain old lemon curd, add some elderflowers to it! Here’s a recipe for elderflower and lemon curd.

20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (8)

Lemon & Elderflower Curd

Easy Lemon & Elderflower Curd tastes just wonderful, the delicate Elderflower flavour works so well with the lemon, a match made in foodie heaven.

Check out this recipe

Elderflower Desserts

There are so many delicious desserts to be made with elderflowers! Ever since the most recent royal wedding had a stunning elderflower cake, it’s been a popular recipe.

If you don’t want to get that fancy, you can make this simpler version of elderflower cake.

Serve this elderflower ice cream along with your cake and you won’t be disappointed!

These elderflower popsicles sound absolutely perfect for a hot summer day.

Then there are elderflower marshmallows, because we always need more marshmallows in our lives!

One of my favorite treats are elderflower fritters. Sprinkle with a bit of powdered sugar and you’re good to go!

These elderflower honey muffins are a delicious and not too sweet treat!

Elderflower Honey Muffins

Make these delicious wildcrafted elderflower honey muffins when fresh elderflowers are in season! They aren't too sweet and are made with honey and a bit of optional sourdough starter.

Check out this recipe

Elderflower Body and Skin Care

Elderflowers aren’t only great to eat, but they are also great for the skin. They help to tone and soften, and are particularly good in products for aging complexions.

Use them in this elderflower eye cream to help decrease wrinkles and puffy eyes.

This elderflower and rose hip salve will help to heal wounds and to treat dry skin.

Now that I’ve gotten into soap making, I really want to try this elderflower and lavender soap recipe!

20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (10)

Elderflower & Lavender Soap

This natural soap recipe features elderflowers, an old-fashioned home remedy for softer skin, along with lavender essential oil for a relaxing scent.

Check out this recipe

Where to Get Dried Elderflowers

If you aren’t able to forage for elderflowers in your area, or it’s the wrong time of year, many of these elderflower recipes can be made using dried flowers instead.

My favorite place to get organic, high quality dried herbs and flowers is Mountain Rose Herbs.

I hope these elderflower recipes inspire you to make something fun!

20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (2024)

FAQs

Is elderflower cordial the same as elderflower liqueur? ›

No, this is non-alcoholic; elderflower cordial is a liqueur. I have both. I did use this (elderflower syrup) in a champagne cocktail but I've used the elderflower liqueur in margaritas (to change it up from a "normal" margarita) and will use it in other drinks.

Is drinking elderflower cordial healthy? ›

Elderflower is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in excessive amounts. Some parts of the elder tree contain a cyanide-producing chemical which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Why add citric acid to elderflower cordial? ›

Why use citric acid in elderflower cordial? The addition of citric acid simply prevents the cordial from fermenting and acts as a preservative. You can buy citric acid for cordial online in a number of sizes depending on how you choose to use this versatile product.

What variety of elderflower is best for cordial? ›

A variety of elder called 'Black Lace' produces light pink flowers and has much thinner and darker, almost black, foliage which turn red in autumn. The flowers and berries can be used in foraging recipes, the pink flowers of this variety result in a cordial with a pinkish hue.

Can you use elderflower cordial instead of liquor? ›

I use it to sweeten and flavor iced tea and sparkling water, or in place of simple syrup or sugar in cocktails like the Daiquiri, Tom Collins, or Cucumber Gimlet. With a little tasting and tweaking, it'll work in place of elderflower liqueur in concoctions as diverse as the Yellow Jacket or Watermelon Crawl.

Is St. Germain the same as elderflower liqueur? ›

ONCE UPON A TASTE SENSATION

Cooper, launched St‑Germain, the world's first elderflower liqueur in 2007. Inspired by Paris and its iconic quarter St‑Germain‑des‑Prés, St‑Germain sets a precedent as a modern liqueur made for cocktails, and perfect for the aperitif.

Is elderflower cordial full of sugar? ›

It's worth noting that ready-mixed sparkling elderflower cordial (AKA elderflower pressé) mostly comes in at more than 150 per cent the sugar level of its sister brand of cordial, so Belvoir and Bottle Green have 18.5g sugar per glass of pressé, but only 10.5g for a glass of cordial.

Is elderflower cordial a laxative? ›

As a supplement, elderflower also has diuretic and laxative properties and is helpful in relieving occasional constipation. Elderflower has antibacterial and antiviral properties and may also help alleviate some allergies and boost the functioning of the immune system.

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.

Why does my elderflower cordial taste bitter? ›

As with all things Elderflower, I advise removing the thick stems from the flowers and as many of the little stems as you can be bothered to remove. The more stem left in whatever you're making, the greener the final result will be. And the greener it is, the more bitter it may become.

Why has my elderflower cordial gone fizzy? ›

There is enough yeast in the flowers of the elderflower to cause it to ferment, go fizzy and become (very slightly) alcoholic. The solution is to freeze your cordial in small batches, and defrost as and when you need it.

Why did my elderflower cordial explode? ›

Exploding bottles

Essentially elderflower champagne is still fermenting. The bubbles are formed when the yeast “eats” the sugar forming alcohol and carbon dioxide. This gas can build up in the bottle and as it has nowhere to go the build-up of pressure can cause an explosion.

Does elderflower cordial go bad? ›

Cordials: Our best before date is printed on the neck of our bottles, but typically will have about 12-18 months shelf life by the time you get your hands on them! Once opened, they should be consumed within 3 weeks.

What is the difference between elderberry and elderflower liqueur? ›

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.

Is elderflower cordial an anti inflammatory? ›

Elderflowers have been known to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, good for helping to relieve symptoms of colds and flu, sinus infections and respiratory disturbances. This cordial is packed full of Vitamin C which helps boost the immune system.

What is the difference between a cordial and a liqueur? ›

Liqueurs And Cordials

Liqueurs are basically liquors that have been flavored and sweetened. The term is interchangeable with “cordial,” except in the U.K., where cordial can also just refer to a sweet, non-alcoholic liquid.

What is a substitute for elderflower liqueur? ›

The essence of up to one thousand elderflowers can be found in each Belle Epoque-style bottle of St-Germain! You can substitute St-Germain with Giffard Fleur de Sureau Sauvage, St. Elder, and RoomeR Elderflower Aperitif.

What is the difference between elderflower and elderberry liqueur? ›

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.

What does elderflower cordial 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. Such a profile that blends the different (unique floral) with the familiar (pear) and interesting (lychee) is often the foundation for broader appeal.

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