Richly eager, we look at thegreenlist.nl out to late May/early June. Because that is the time to pick elderflower and make elderflower syrup. The limo is a hit with all children and adults alike. Because with a dash of prosecco, you can make the tastiest summer cocktails. Ahead, we write out the recipe for that cocktail for you too.
Yes, we are allowed again: making elderflower syrup
By the end of May, it is already starting to itch. I live in a green residential area with a remarkable number of elderberry bushes. Every day I check with my little son to see if there are already green buds. That is a first sign! A few weeks later (early June), you then see the first white flowers appear. These are called umbels. You can recognise the large, tall bushes by their striking white flowers. Before picking, look at pictures on the internet so that you have a clear idea of what the flower looks like, because in the Netherlands there are more varieties of white flowers and most of them are inedible and sometimes even poisonous. In the picture below, you can see an elder bush. Check how big this bush is. Unmistakable right? In August, the shrub develops dark red almost black berries. These too are edible, here you can make tasty elderberry jam of it.
Look carefully at the umbels (the white flowers). Take a good look at the shape of the small flowers, as there are shrubs with white flowers that look similar but are not edible and sometimes even poisonous.
The power of elderflower
Elderflower, from the elder bush, is a flower with a subtle and pleasant flavour. It is often used to make refreshing lemonades and syrups. Elderflower adds a slight sweetness to drinks and dishes. Moreover, it is known for its antioxidant and vitamin C content, making it a healthy addition. Katja Wezel, game picking guide: ‘Elder blossom stimulates the immune system and, among other things, has a soothing effect on the mucous membranes, so good for sore throats and coughs, for example. Tempura of elderflower leaves (with icing sugar or soya sauce) are also a real treat!’ Want to know more about the power of elder and other plants? Then check out this account of a wild-picking walk.
Making elderflower syrup, but wild picking first
What is the best time to pick elderflower? According to game picking experts, early morning on a dry, sunny day is the best time to pick the umbels (flowers). This is when the aroma is strongest. All you need are scissors and a cloth bag. I bet you too have elderberry bushes in your area. They are even along the motorway! Still can't find it? Then offer the Wildplukwijzer outcome. Choose nice white, clean flowers that bloom well. Another important tip: don't cut the screens too low, because then you run the risk of dogs having peeing over them. Yikes! How many screens you need depends on how much syrup you want to make. I recommend choosing at least 20 to 30 good screens the first time.
Sterilising the bottles for the syrup
Before you get adrift with your syrup, what are you going to put it in? Make sure you have plenty of glass bottles in the house before you start. I like lemonade bottles with a clasp closure best, but wine bottles with a good twist-off cap or large preserving jars work fine too. You do need to sterilise the bottles. You do that by putting the bottles in the dishwasher and then put them in a preheated oven (100°C) for 15 minutes. Wear oven mittens when you take them out! Let the bottles cool on a clean tea towel. Immerse lids and rubber rings briefly in a bowl of boiling water. Are you using wine bottles? Then remove the plastic thingy that is often in the cap. You should fill the bottles within an hour, say cooking experts, then do the sterilising process all over again.
Getting started with our homemade elderflower syrup.
This is how to make the tastiest elderflower syrup (and cocktails)!
Kitchenware
- (fabric) bag
- scissors
- 2 large pans
- cutting board
- vegetable knife
- scale
- funnel(No funnel? Make a funnel out of a PET bottle.)
- tea towel or thin cloth
- various sterilised bottles with cap(such as old lemonade or wine bottles)
Ingredients
- 20-30 screens elderflower (in about 2 litres of water later)
- 2 (organic) sliced lemons
- 1 kg sugar
- tap water
- 20 gr citric acid per litre (= for long shelf life and flavour)
- Optional herbs and spices such as cinnamon mint, strawberries, rose petals and ginger
Instructions
- Pick the flower heads in the morning. When you get home, cut the flowers from the stems. If necessary, shake the flowers lightly to remove dirt, but make them not clean with water (then it loses flavour).
- Put the umbels in a large pan or bucket. Then add water until the blossom is exactly submerged. The blossom tends to float. If necessary, put something heavy on top, such as a plate. That way, all the blossoms will remain under water. Put the pan or bucket away for 24 hours.
- After 24 hours, pour the contents of the pan through a sieve (and collect it in a second pan). Discard the flowers. Repeat this process: then pour the water back into the other pan through a tea towel or hydrophilic cloth once more to get it really clear.
- Put about 2 litres of this flower water in a pan, chop and add the lemon, add 1 kg of sugar. Optionally, you can also add mint, strawberries, rose petals, cinnamon, ginger and other spices to make syrup with a twist. My advice is: start with a good basic elderflower syrup first. Is it successful? Then possibly make another batch with a twist.
- Heat the mixture. Make sure it does not boil or it will lose flavour. Keep stirring so that the sugar dissolves well. Also add citric acid at this stage and keep stirring.
- Sterilise the fleesen (and don't forget the cap). Sterilise: pour boiling water over the bottle and then put the bottle in an oven at 100°C for 10 minutes.
- Pour the hot syrup into the bottles with a funnel and seal them immediately. Let them cool down. Don't have a funnel? You can make your own funnel by cutting the bottom of a plastic soft drink bottle.
- Store the bottles of syrup in the fridge. It is quite normal if you see sediment at the bottom of the bottle, this is pollen from the flowers.
Oelala... Elderflower cocktails
Save the best for last! So you can also use the syrup as an ingredient for a summer cocktail. My favourite is an elderflower cocktail called Hugo:
- 120 ml cold prosecco (which is just a little less than a normal glass of wine)
- 30 ml (1 shot glass) Spa red
- 30 ml (1 shot glass) elderflower syrup
- 1 slice of lime
- A few sprigs of mint
- Pair of ice cubes
Bonus tip: gin tonic with a splash of elderflower syrup is also very tasty!
Taking a picking break: do you know the game picking rules yet?
Wild picking is not only super fun (and tasty!), but also something you need to know a little about. It is officially banned in the Netherlands, but in many places it is turned a blind eye - as long as you do it properly. Think of nature as a wonderful buffet we can all taste from, but only if we behave. So pick with love, not greed. Want to know more? Read the unwritten rules of wild picking. We have listed it for you!
Also an elderflower tip?
Do you have a fun elderflower tip? How do you make the tastiest syrup or cocktails with elderflower? Or do you have another exciting recipe tip like wildflower tempura? Let us know!
More inspiration from thegreenlist.nl
- Also see: Making your own syrup from dandelions.
- Also see: candied green figs, delicious with dessert or cheeseboard.
- Also see: sustainable honey: does it even exist?
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
