The Elderflower season is short, late May to the latest, mid-July, if you live in the the north or Scotland. The heavily scented flowers are wonderful made into a refreshing cordial, which in turn can be used in other recipes.
If you are out collecting Elderflowers, a word of warning, make sure you have permission to pick them and never pick flowers from trees on roadsides, they may be tainted with petrol fumes.
1. Elderflower Cordial Recipe
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One of the most refreshing drinks for the summer is an Elderflower Cordial. An Elderflower Cordial Recipe is quick and easy to make and a great excuse for a long walk collecting flowers.
2. Elderflower Honey Ice Cream Recipe
Photo © Elaine Lemm
The heady scent of elderflowers is transferred wonderfully when made into an Elderflower cordial. In this Elderflower and Honey ice cream recipe, the cordial is put to very good use.
The recipe also uses crême fraiche which is a lightly acidualted cream and gives a lovely tang alongside the sweetness of the honey. If you don't have an ice cream machine, don't worry, this recipe uses liquid glucose which helps to create a smooth ice cream and prevents crystallisation so can be made without a machine. Just follow the directions below.
3. Elderflower Pannacotta Recipe
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The scent of early summer must include the elderflower. The heady scent of the creamy blooms makes it a lovely ingredient to add into different foods or for making a delicious, sweet Elderflower Cordial.
In this Elderflower Pannacotta recipe the cordial is used to flavour the delicate dessert. The elderflower marries well with summer fruits and is especially good with cooked gooseberries.
4. Elderflower Vinaigrette Recipe
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Elderflower Cordial is a wonderfully, refreshing summer drink but the cordial has other uses and makes a stunning Elderflower vinaigrette recipe. Use as any other vinaigrette for a delicious, light sweet dressing for your salads. The dressing also makes a good light sauce for fish or baked chicken.
5. Elderflower Cocktail
This Elderflower Cocktail comes from Colleen Graham, About.com's guide to cocktails. It is a great way to enjoy the taste of St. Germaine, an elderflower liqueur, or if you prefer, a non-alcoholic elderflower cordial. This drink is a little different because it uses both Champagne and club soda but if that produces too many bubbles for you, a dry white wine is also really nice.
