Looking for easy, magical elderflower recipes you can make at home?
Elderflowers are more than just pretty—they add a light, floral flavour that’s perfect for drinks, desserts, and even savoury dishes.
Get ready for 17 delicious elderflower recipes that are easy enough to make with the kids.
Most take under 30 minutes!
And if you’d like to learn more, I’ve written a deep dive on all elderflower’s medicinal uses, which includes lots of tips on how to forage for elderflower.
Tips for Cooking with Elderflowers
Before you dive in, here are a few quick tips:
- Pick elderflowers on dry mornings when the blossoms smell sweet
- Avoid flowers near roads or sprayed fields
- Only use fresh, white elderflowers. Yellowing ones taste bitter
- Cross-reference your ID with at least 3 reliable sources – only pick if 100% sure of your ID
- Always shake out bugs gently before using
- Remember, the flower heads turn into berries, so leave plenty behind for your elderberry remedies & the wildlife
Now, let’s get cooking!
1. Classic Elderflower Cordial 🍋
Nothing beats homemade elderflower cordial!
Ingredients:
- 20 elderflower heads
- 1.5 litres water
- 1 kg sugar
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 tbsp citric acid (optional, for longer shelf life)
Method:
Boil water. Pour it over flowers and lemon slices. Cover and steep for 24 hours. Strain through a muslin cloth, add sugar and citric acid, and heat gently until dissolved. Bottle in sterilised jars. Dilute with still or sparkling water to serve.1
2. Elderflower Champagne (Naturally Fermented) 🍾
Lightly fizzy and delightfully floral!
Ingredients:
- 10 elderflower heads
- 1.5 litres water
- 700g sugar
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
Method:
Mix everything together. Leave uncovered for 24 hours, then strain and bottle in plastic bottles. Keep an eye on fizz levels and burp the bottles daily for the first week.
3. Elderflower and Lemon Drizzle Cake 🍰
Moist, tangy, and full of summer flavours.
Ingredients:
- 200g butter
- 200g sugar
- 4 eggs
- 200g self-raising flour
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 4 tbsp elderflower cordial
For drizzle:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 100g caster sugar or icing sugar
- 3 tbsp elderflower cordial
Method:
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Fold in flour, zest, and cordial. Bake at 160°C for 40 minutes. Mix drizzle ingredients and pour over the hot cake.2
4. Elderflower Jelly (No Gelatin Needed!) 🍮
Perfect on toast or with cakes.
Ingredients:
- 15 elderflower heads
- 1 litre apple juice
- 700g sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
Method:
Simmer flowers in apple juice for 15 minutes. Strain, add sugar and lemon, and boil until set (test with a chilled spoon). Pour into sterilised jars while hot.
5. Elderflower Ice Cream 🍦
No ice cream maker required!
Ingredients:
- 300ml double cream
- 200ml condensed milk
- 4 tbsp elderflower cordial
Method:
Whisk cream to soft peaks. Fold in condensed milk and cordial. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
6 Elderflower Tempura 🍃
Light, crispy, and beautifully floral.
Ingredients:
- 12 elderflower heads
- 100g plain flour (preferably low-protein or cake flour for a lighter batter)
- 150ml ice-cold sparkling water
- Pinch of salt
- Neutral oil for deep frying (like canola or sunflower)
- Icing sugar for dusting (optional)
Method:
Dust with a little icing sugar if desired, and serve immediately for the ultimate crispness.
In a bowl, gently whisk together the flour, salt, and ice-cold sparkling water. Don’t overmix — a few small lumps are okay! This keeps the batter light and airy.
Heat the oil in a deep pan or fryer to about 170–180°C (340–355°F).
Hold each elderflower head by the stem, dip it lightly into the batter, and immediately place it into the hot oil.
Fry until pale golden and crisp, about 1–2 minutes. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
Drain on paper towels.
7. Elderflower Vinegar 🥗
A simple way to add a floral twist to dressings.
Ingredients:
- 6 elderflower heads
- 500ml white wine vinegar
Method:
Place flowers in a clean jar. Cover with vinegar. Seal and leave for 2 weeks. Strain and use for salads!
8. Elderflower and Strawberry Jam 🍓
Summer in a jar!
Ingredients:
- 500g strawberries
- 500g sugar
- 6 elderflower heads
- Juice of 1 lemon
Method:
Mash strawberries lightly. Add sugar, flowers, and lemon juice. Simmer gently until thickened. Bottle into sterilised jars.
9. Elderflower Pancakes 🥞
The perfect spring breakfast.
Ingredients:
- Your favourite pancake batter
- 6 elderflower heads
Method:
Dip flower heads into batter and fry like usual pancakes. Serve with lemon, honey, and your favourite sliced fruit: rhubarb, bananas, or berries are all a great idea.
10. Elderflower and Lemon Sorbet 🍋
Light and refreshing!
Ingredients:
- 200ml elderflower cordial
- 500ml water
- Juice of 2 lemons
Method:
Mix and freeze, stirring every hour to break up crystals, until smooth. Serve with a slice of lemon and a sprig of mint if you want to get fancy.
11. Elderflower Honey 🍯
Sweet, floral, and perfect for tea.
Ingredients:
- 5 elderflower heads
- 250ml mild honey
Method:
Gently warm honey. Add elderflowers and steep overnight. Strain and jar.
12. Elderflower Panna Cotta 🍮
A fancy yet easy dessert.
Ingredients:
- 300ml cream (use plant-based cream if you prefer)
- 100ml milk (or plant milk)
- 4 tbsp elderflower cordial
- 50g sugar
- 1 tsp agar-agar powder (instead of gelatin)
Method:
Chill for at least 2–3 hours, or until set.
In a saucepan, gently heat the cream, milk, and sugar until just simmering.
Sprinkle in the agar-agar powder and stir well to dissolve. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes (agar-agar needs heat to activate).
Remove from the heat and stir in the elderflower cordial.
Pour into moulds and let cool slightly before refrigerating.
13. Elderflower Sparkling Water 🍹
So refreshing and simple.
Ingredients:
- Elderflower cordial
- Sparkling water
- Ice and lemon slices
Method:
Mix a splash of cordial with sparkling water. Serve over ice with a lemon slice.
14. Elderflower Cream Cheese Spread 🧀
Delicious on toast or bagels!
Ingredients:
- 200g cream cheese
- 2 tbsp elderflower cordial
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Method:
Blend everything until smooth. Chill for an hour before serving.
15. Elderflower Sugar 🍬
Perfect for baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 elderflower heads
Method:
Layer sugar and flowers in a jar. Seal and leave for a week. You can keep the flowers in or remove them if they’ve turned brown. Use your elderflower sugar in cakes or teas.
16. Elderflower Lollipops 🍭
A fun treat for parties!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tbsp elderflower cordial
Method:
Boil sugar, syrup, and water to 150°C. Stir in cordial. Pour into lollipop moulds. Cool and enjoy!
17. Elderflower and Gooseberry Crumble 🍏
Tart gooseberries meet sweet elderflower in this cosy dessert.
Ingredients:
- 400g gooseberries
- 100g sugar
- 4 tbsp elderflower cordial
- 150g flour
- 75g butter
- 75g brown sugar
Method:
Toss gooseberries with sugar and cordial. Place in a baking dish. Rub flour, butter, and brown sugar into crumbs. Scatter over the fruit and bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
18. Citrus Fizz Elderflower Mocktail ✨
A bubbly, refreshing mocktail with the soft floral notes of elderflower and a bright citrusy zing. Perfect for garden parties, picnics, or just a little treat on a sunny afternoon.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons elderflower cordial
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- Juice of ½ an orange
- 150ml sparkling water (or more, to taste)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
- Lemon or orange slices (for garnish)
Method:
Fill a glass with a handful of ice cubes. Pour in the elderflower cordial, lemon juice, and orange juice. Top up with sparkling water and stir gently. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a slice of lemon or orange if you like. Sip and enjoy your little glass of sunshine!
Tip:
If you want a sweeter mocktail, add a splash more elderflower cordial.
If you like it extra fizzy, use club soda or tonic water instead of sparkling water for a bit of a grown-up feel!
19. Elderflower Liqueur 🍸
Sweet, floral, and perfect for cocktails or sipping!
Ingredients:
20–30 elderflower heads
750ml vodka
250g sugar
250ml water
Zest of 1 lemon
(Optional) 1 vanilla bean
3Method:
Trim elderflowers and place in a clean jar with lemon zest and vanilla bean (if using). Cover with vodka. Seal and steep 3–5 days, shaking daily. Strain through muslin. Heat sugar and water to dissolve, then cool. Stir syrup into strained vodka. Bottle and rest 1–2 weeks for best flavour.
Just one more post!
Read more about elderflower’s medicinal uses and how to forage for elderflower here:
References
- Classic Elderflower Cordial by Anna Banana ↩︎
- Lemon drizzle cake by BBC Good Food ↩︎
- Elderflower Liqueur by Hunter Angler Gardener Cook ↩︎
Final Thoughts on Elderflower Recipes 🌿
Elderflowers are tiny bursts of magic that can transform simple recipes into unforgettable treats.
Whether you’re making cordials, cakes, jams, or even lollipops, elderflowers add a special touch that feels like pure summer.
Have fun experimenting and tasting your way through these recipes!
Which one will you try first?
