I've always dreamed of making elderflower syrup, a tradition passed down from my grandmother. This year I was determined to finally bring that dream to life. For months, I eagerly awaited the perfect time to venture out and gather elderflowers. This syrup would be special, not just because it's the only juice I can make alone, but because it's the best juice I've ever tasted.
Finally, on friday, the weather was beautiful, and my friend and I set out on our quest. We decided to search for elder trees in the middle of nowhere, away from the dust of roadside trees. The day was filled with excitement and laughter as we drove around, exploring the countryside. As the sun began to set, we spotted our first elder tree. We were overjoyed to find the flowers were still in good condition, though some had already started to bloom.
The scene must have been amusing to any passerby—two girls, one of us quite small, reaching and plucking flowers from the tall trees. I may have been a little late in the season, but we managed to find enough flowers to make the syrup.
Years ago, my grandmother had given me her cherished recipe. You can find many recipes for making juice or syrup, but I will always use this one.
What you need:
40 large elderflower heads
3 liters of water
60 grams of citric acid
3 lemons
3 kilograms of sugar
Back at home, I set to work. First, I boiled the water in a large pot and then mixed in the sugar and citric acid, stirring until all the sugar dissolved. Once the sugar syrup cooled to room temperature, I added the cleaned elderflowers and sliced lemons. I covered the pot with a cloth and let it stand for 24 hours, stirring occasionally. Finally, I strained the syrup through a thick strainer, squeezing the flowers well, and poured the prepared syrup into sterilized bottles, sealing them airtight.
The syrup turned out to be everything I had hoped for—fragrant, sweet, and utterly delicious. However, the adventure had an unexpected twist. My friend called me yesterday to check if I was okay, as she had found four ticks on her body after our trip. She had developed a fever, her hand was red and itchy, and she ended up in the hospital. Thankfully, after receiving antibiotics, she is better now. Nature, it seems, was not kind to her this time. She has already told me she won’t be joining me next year. 😉
As for me, I seem to have avoided the ticks—perhaps they don't like my blood, maybe because of the pills I take. But despite the minor setback, I now have a batch of the most perfect elderflower syrup, a testament to patience, tradition, and a bit of adventure.
Fun fact, I didn’t know this: People once believed that the elder tree could ward off evil spirits and stop a witch's spells. In many traditions, the elder tree stands for protection, healing, and a connection to the supernatural. And for me? The best juice ever 💪😂
“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.” — Martin Luther
With love, @tinabrezpike ❤️
Sorry but the juice/syrup is for?
Consumption like juice?
We don't have that tree here, but your recipe seems interesting
This is juice, yes, but you can also make syrup and then mix it with water. I made syrup because I don't have much storage space, so I made 5 liters of syrup. I prefer making syrup because it lasts longer, whereas juice gets consumed too quickly. Everyone has their own preference. It's really great juice. May I ask where you are from?
Hello dear friend @tinabrezpike good morning
It's good that the time has finally come to make what you have always wanted to do come true. The walk you took through nature was great, which allowed you to find these beautiful flowers, although I am sorry for what happened to your friend and she ended up in the hospital.
Have a beautiful Sunday
We were lucky this time because the weather was fine. I had been waiting for two weeks for the rain to stop, so I was nervous there wouldn't be anything on the trees. But I succeeded. ;) Thanks for stopping by and for your nice comment! :)
👌