Elderflower Cordial
Fragrant, floral cordial from fresh elderflowers and lemon. Dilute with cold water or fizz for the taste of early summer.
- Time30 min plus 24 hr steeping
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.19 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 349kcal
- 71.1gcarbs
- 58.2gof which sugars
- 3gfat
- 0.5gsaturates
- 5.1gprotein
- 6.1gfibre
- 5.1gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pick elderflowers on a dry, sunny morning, away from roads. Gently shake each head to dislodge insects, and do not wash them. Trim off the thick stalks, but a little stem is fine.
- 2
Put the water and sugar in a large pan. Heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves completely, then bring to a boil. Take off the heat.
5 min - 3
Stir in the citric acid, then add the elderflower heads and the lemon slices. Push everything down into the syrup.
- 4
Cover and leave to steep at room temperature for 24 hours, stirring once or twice.
- 5
Line a sieve with a clean muslin cloth or tea towel and strain the cordial into a jug. Squeeze lightly to get the last of the syrup.
- 6
Pour into clean, sterilised bottles using a funnel. Seal. Keep in the fridge and use within 6 weeks, or freeze in plastic bottles (leave room at the top) for up to 6 months.
- 7
To serve, mix 1 part cordial with 5 parts still or sparkling water over ice.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
