Elderflower season is nearly upon us!

Elderflower season runs from late May to early June. Elder flowers can help to cleanse the system and relieve hay fever symptoms so what better time to try one of our favourite Elderflower recipes.

Elderflower Champagne

This can be made as a syrup and drizzled over strawberries or cakes, or diluted with fizzy water or prosecco to make elder flower 'champagne'. 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg sugar
• 1.5 litres water
• 3 medium lemons
• Bunches of elder flower heads (about 20-30 bunches)
• 50 grams citric acid

Method:

1. Boil water and sugar in a large saucepan and stir to dissolve sugar. 
2. Remove from heat to cool.
3. Remove flower heads from stems (a little stem won't kill you but may bitter the taste) and add them to mixture.
4. Stir, cover and leave for at least 48 hours. The syrup can be left for up to 4 days.
5. Bring back to boil and remove from heat.
6. Add the zest of one lemon, the juice of all the lemons and the citric acid to the syrup and stir.
7. Strain the syrup through muslin or a fine sieve.
8. Pour into sterilised bottles using funnel, seal and refrigerate.

Equipment:

Large saucepan
Wooden spoon
Large bowl
Lemon zester
Lemon juicer
Muslin or Fine sieve
Glass bottles
Optional labels



Enjoy!! :-)