20+ Elderflower Recipes: cordial, liqueur, tea, jelly, cake + more! (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between elderflower cordial and elderflower liqueur? ›

Contrary to the name, elderflower cordial does not contain alcohol. If the preparation has alcohol in it, it is typically referred to as an Elderflower Liqueur, like. St. Germain.

With a little tasting and tweaking, it'll work in place of elderflower liqueur in concoctions as diverse as the Yellow Jacket or Watermelon Crawl. Elderflower cordial is a natural companion for sparkling wine—add a little cordial to your bubbly along with some gin and a lemon slice for a twist on the French 75.

Use a funnel and a ladle to fill sterilised bottles (run glass bottles through the dishwasher, or wash well with soapy water. Rinse, then leave to dry in a low oven). The cordial is ready to drink straight away and will keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.

When taken by mouth: Elderflower is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts found in foods. Elderflower is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when used short-term as medicine, or in small amounts as part of a combination product containing elderflower, sorrel, gentian root, verbena, and cowslip flower (SinuComp, Sinupret).

ONCE UPON A TASTE SENSATION

Cooper, launched St‑Germain, the world's first elderflower liqueur in 2007. Inspired by Paris and its iconic quarter St‑Germain‑des‑Prés, St‑Germain sets a precedent as a modern liqueur made for co*cktails, and perfect for the aperitif.

Elderflower liqueurs are delicately flavoured, aromatic and floral; they mix brilliantly with pretty much every spirit, both white and brown, even combining well with the strong flavours of mezcal, peated whisky and pisco. Elderflower tends to mix better with light-coloured fruits such as pear, apple and white grapes.

Why use citric acid in elderflower cordial? The addition of citric acid simply prevents the cordial from fermenting and acts as a preservative. You can buy citric acid for cordial online in a number of sizes depending on how you choose to use this versatile product.

Where I had gone wrong, was that I hadn't removed enough of the stalk and if you leave this in, you get this horrible, bitter taste, which ruins the cordial. To make the cordial, you'll need to leave it to infuse overnight and the most time-consuming part is in the prep, but it is really simple to do.

There is enough yeast in the flowers of the elderflower to cause it to ferment, go fizzy and become (very slightly) alcoholic. The solution is to freeze your cordial in small batches, and defrost as and when you need it.

As a supplement, elderflower also has diuretic and laxative properties and is helpful in relieving occasional constipation. Elderflower has antibacterial and antiviral properties and may also help alleviate some allergies and boost the functioning of the immune system.

Can elderflower liqueur go bad? ›

As a natural liqueur made with fresh flowers, the color may slowly change over time due to natural oxidation (caused by light and air). We recommend that you consume St~Germain liqueur within 6 months after opening, and keep your bottle in a dry, cool space and away from bright light.

Cordials: Our best before date is printed on the neck of our bottles, but typically will have about 12-18 months shelf life by the time you get your hands on them! Once opened, they should be consumed within 3 weeks.

Drinking large amounts of sweet drinks may result in: loss of appetite at mealtimes • fussy eating • excess weight gain • growth problems • tooth decay • loose bowel actions.

Commercially produced cordials are generally sold as a concentrated squash and are usually diluted by one part cordial and ten parts water, thus a 500 ml bottle of cordial would be enough for 5.5 litres diluted. The high concentration of sugar in elderflower cordial gives it a long shelf life.

Safety. Elderflower may lower blood sugar levels, therefore precaution must be taken in diabetes, or where taking anti-diabetic medications. Precaution must also be taken as elderflower may interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery.

A liqueur, or cordial, is a sweetened distilled spirit. Flavored with a variety of fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices, as well as things like chocolate and coffee, liqueurs contribute more flavor than alcohol to co*cktails and mixed drinks.

St. Germain is an elderflower liqueur. There are a number of others on the market, including the Pür Blossom Elderflower liqueur, Cote Jolie, Bitter Truth, and more.

Instead of water, why not dilute in prosecco, add some to a G&T, or mix with gin, a splash of apple juice and topped up with soda water to your liking. You could also use it as an alternative to St Germain elderflower liqueur in co*cktail recipes.

The terms elderflower syrup and elderflower cordial are used interchangeably: they both mean a concentrated elderflower extract. This extract can be used in drinks, liqueurs, creams, and any other number of food items as an additional flavor profile and sweetener.