Elderflower Soda
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.
Time: 2-4 days · 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
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.
Note: 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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