Elderflower cordial / concentrate
Σιρόπι elderflower (κουφοξυλιά ή αφροξυλιά ή ζαμπούκος ή σαμπούκος)
Published originally on my blog on 18 June 2022
We were in the countryside a couple of weeks ago and there were elderflower trees all around us, wherever we looked. They were in full bloom and so incredibly beautiful.
I am no expert forager, far from it, but I couldn’t help but pick some to make elderflower cordial.
As I was picking the creamy elderflowers, a purple elderflower tree caught my eye. It was the first time I had ever seen this kind of elderflower, and instantly I decided to use those pinkish-purple blooms instead of the white.
The result was a stunning, coral-colored syrup that becomes almost fluorescent when the sunlight comes through it. I flavored it with Greek honey and lemon, and the aroma and taste was intense and floral and so very much addictive.
I’ve been drinking it diluted in sparkling water and a few ice cubes non stop; I’ve made a dessert with roasted strawberries and elderflower whipped cream, and this weekend I’m planning to make an elderflower cake.
If you’ve never made cordial before, let me assure you, this is an easy one to try. You just submerge the flowers in a basic sugar syrup flavored with lemon and honey, and allow to stand for twenty-four hours. You then strain it and it’s ready to use in any way you prefer. In drinks, alcoholic or not, ice cream, desserts of all kinds.
