Nadia George
February 21, 2024
Have you ever tried your hand at making elderflower liqueur? If not, buckle up because you're in for a fragrant and rewarding adventure that'll add a splash of craft and creativity to your home bar.
First things first, source your elderflowers. Look for the creamy-white blooms around late spring to early summer; they're hard to miss with their distinctive, heady aroma.
At its heart, elderflower liqueur needs just a few key ingredients: fresh elderflowers, of course, alongside good-quality vodka like Smirnoff or Ciroc, sugar, and a touch of lemon.
Rinse your elderflowers. Place the flowers in a large jar, pour over your vodka, and add the zest of a lemon. Seal it up and let it sit. This is where patience comes in; you’ll want to give it a good two to four weeks, shaking the jar gently every now and then.
Once your infusion has had time to mingle and mature, strain it to remove all the solids. Now, sweeten it to taste with a simple syrup. This step transforms the vodka from merely infused to truly liqueur territory, adding a silky sweetness that makes the elderflower notes sing.
Pour your finished liqueur into clean, dry bottles. Opt for something with a secure cap or cork to keep it fresh. There’s a real charm to seeing your homemade elderflower liqueur lined up—a testament to your effort and a promise of good drinks to come.
Now for the fun part: tasting. Elderflower liqueur is incredibly versatile. Enjoy it chilled on its own, or use it to elevate cocktails. It adds a wonderful floral twist to a gin and tonic, makes a sparkling addition to prosecco, and can even bring a new dimension to your classic lemonade.