elderflower & elderberry cordial, syrup & mixed drink recipes

[Amy Boyd]

Back in early England, cordials were considered medicinal for their beneficial effects on the heart. In modern times, elderberry cordials and syrups are still popular as a ward against colds, or added to mixed drinks and liqueurs.

Post your cordial, syrup, tonic, extracts & mixed drink recipes here!

A few to start off with:
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cordials

• Andy Hamilton has an elderflower cordial recipe (click here). Requires: elderflower, lemon, citric acid, sugar, water. Time: 5 days.
• Delicious Days has an elderflower cordial recipe (click here). Requires: elderflower, citric acid, caster sugar, water. Time: 24 hours. (Note: exact proportions are listed at the bottom of the post. Includes beautiful photos!)
• Christmas Matters has an elderberry cordial (click here). Requires: elderberries, sugar, cloves. Time: 10 minutes.
• Autumn Fruits has an elderberry cordial here. Requires: elderberries, sugar, cloves. Time: 10 minutes.

elderberry syrups and extracts

• County Down Recipe Secrets has an elderberry syrup recipe (click here). Requires: elderberries, sugar, cloves. Time: 10 minutes.
• David Lebovitz has an elderberry syrup recipe (click here). Requires: elderberries, lemon juice, sugar, water. Time: 40 minutes. (Note: the recipe is at the bottom of the post. Includes beautiful photos.)

mixed drinks

• Dark Christi (by Campus Squeeze) - Requires: elderberry, Vodka, sage, lemon
• Fuzzy Devil (by Toadberry) - Requires: elderberry flower concentrate, Vodka, pear juice

[Amy Boyd]

I used to have a link to a really good elderberry syrup recipe with honey instead of sugar, but it was taken offline. Anyone have another one to replace it?

[Casey]

Earlier in the season I made a super yummy fermented flower drink and wanted to know if it is possible to make the same with the berries? Whey, sweetner/sugar/agave water and time. Then it was fizzy and great.

I plan on re-harvesting some berries as we used all the others up for syrup. This time I will take great care to look out for the stems and un-ripe berries. Then I wonder if the fermentation process is enough to neutralize the toxic stuff in the berries that cooking does?

I don't want to experiment with my self, did that already, and am hoping for some guidance. Thank you!

[Kathy Baker]

An Elderberry Syrup recipe with Honey instead of sugar:
1/2 cup dried elderberries (or 1 c. fresh)
2c. water
1 T. grated ginger
5 cloves
1 whole cinnamon stick
(1 c. honey, added later)
Put all but honey in a pot, cover & bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered 20-30 min. until liquid is reduced by half. Strain into a bowl. Add honey to this and pour into pint jar. Can store in fridge 2 weeks. Take 1 T. as a preventative or 1 T. an hour for flu.