Homemade Elderflower Syrup
Last year I made a first trial batch of elderflower syrup and it was wonderful. The only problem with the recipe was that it had to ferment. So, don't take into account the syrup recipes that say you can keep it in the pantry (or cellar) uncooked - it either has to be boiled, or you need to add a lot of lemon salt. I will keep the elderflower syrup from now in the fridge. If you don't have space in the fridge, boil it for 5 minutes and store in sterilized and sealed bottles.
This syrup is wonderful and I'm sorry I haven't tried it sooner. Get rid of the store-bought (even natural) juices with this healthy, aromatic, tasty syrup! You can mix it with still or mineral water, and a little lemon of course, for an Elderflower Lemonade.
Because the Elderflower Wild Fermented Soda season is short, this syrup will ease the cravings for a whole year :)
Rinse the elderflowers carefully under running water - try not to shake the blossoms off the stems.
Let drain into a sieve.
Grate the peel from 4 lemons - this will give a beautiful yellow color to the syrup and, of course, aroma. Wash the lemons well beforehand, you can even scald them in hot water.
Then cut into halves and squeeze the juice from.
Place the water over heat. Heat well until hot but not boiling.
Add the sugar in and stir until completely dissolved.
Add the lemon zest and juice.
Stir well and allow to cool completely.
If you put the flowers in the syrup while it's hot, they will turn black and will give a bitter taste.
So, add the flowers when the syrup is cold.
Cover the pot with a lid and store in a cool place for one day.
The next day, stir well.
Cover again with a lid and keep for another 2-3 days in the fridge to infuse properly.
After this time, strain through a sieve.
Now you can boil for 5 minutes, then pour into sterilized, dried bottles. I keep them in the oven for 30 minutes at 100 degrees C.
This way you can keep it in the cellar or pantry without worries.
I pour it into sterilized jars and keep it in the fridge, without boiling. This is in case you have room.
Mix with still or mineral water and, maybe, some lemon.
Enjoy!
