Elderflower Soda

Name: Elderflower Soda
Yield: About 2 quarts
Ingredients: 8-10 fresh elderflower heads, shaken gently to remove insects (don't wash — the natural yeasts on the flowers are your starter); 6 cups filtered water; 1 cup sugar; Juice of 2 lemons; Zest of 1 lemon

Floral, delicate, and naturally sparkling. Elderflower soda captures the essence of early summer in a bottle. If you have access to wild or garden elderflowers, this is a must-make.

About 2 quarts

Yield

2-4 days

Time

1 week in the fridge

Keeps

Floral, delicate, and naturally sparkling. Elderflower soda captures the essence of early summer in a bottle. If you have access to wild or garden elderflowers, this is a must-make.

Ingredients

8-10 fresh elderflower heads, shaken gently to remove insects (don't wash — the natural yeasts on the flowers are your starter)
6 cups filtered water
1 cup sugar
Juice of 2 lemons
Zest of 1 lemon

Method

Dissolve the sugar in 2 cups of warm water. Let cool, then add the remaining 4 cups of water.
Place the elderflower heads, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a large jar or bowl.
Pour the sugar water over the elderflowers. Stir gently.
Cover with a cloth and let sit at room temperature for 2-4 days, stirring once or twice daily.
When the liquid is fizzy and smells floral and slightly tangy (usually by day 2-3), strain through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into clean bottles.
Seal the bottles and leave at room temperature for 24 more hours to build carbonation, then refrigerate immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Ice-cold on a warm afternoon. With sparkling water for an elderflower spritzer. As a base for mocktails with fresh mint and cucumber.

Notes

Harvest elderflowers on a warm, dry day for the most fragrance and natural yeast.
Make sure you're picking actual elderflowers (Sambucus) — not water hemlock or other look-alikes. If you're not sure, buy dried elderflowers from an herb supplier.
This builds pressure fast. Use proper swing-top bottles and check them. Refrigerate promptly once carbonated.
Elderflower season is short (usually June in most climates). Make multiple batches when they're available.

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