Elderflower Liqueurs

Elderflower has to be one of the most popular flavours out there from elderflower cordials to elderflower liqueurs and even elderflower ‘champagne’ - a lightly alcoholic sparkling drink.

The flavour is redolent of late spring hedgerows in Britain where they flower in May and June. It’s long been popular in Britian and across Europe to harvest elderflowers to make cordials, infusions and liqueurs, while the berries can be used to make jams, jellies and alcoholic drinks. It’s simple to make your own elderflower liqueur by steeping the flowers in neutral alcohol and then sweetening and diluting.

Well-known commercial brands include St. Germain and Giffard from France, Hotel Starlino from Italy and Chase from England. Elderflowers are also used as botanicals in the production of gin. In fact, elderflower has a particular affinity with gin, and elderflower liqueurs can be used to add a dash of springtime magic to cocktails like the Gin & Tonic, Tom Collins or Gin Fizz. You can also make a delicious Spritz using just elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine and soda water.