How To Make Elderflower Liqueur
Learn how to make elderflower liqueur at home—floral, fragrant, and perfect for summer cocktails, spritzers, or gifting!
Print Recipe
Equipment
- A large jar or pitcher with a lid
- A strainer or cheesecloth
- A funnel and clean bottle(s) for storing
Ingredients
- 20-30 fresh elderflower heads (picked on a sunny morning, away from roads or pesticides)
- 750 ml vodka or brandy (good quality, but doesn’t need to be top shelf)
- 1 1/2 cups sugar or honey
Instructions
- Clean the flowers gently by shaking out any bugs (don’t rinse—they’ll lose flavor). Snip off most of the green stems; they’re not only bitter, but the leaves and large stems of the elderberry plant is toxic.
- In your jar or pitcher, add the elderflower heads.
- Pour the vodka (or brandy) over the flowers until fully submerged. Give it a stir.
- Cover and let steep for 3–5 days in a cool, dark place. Stir once a day and sniff—it should smell floral and slightly citrusy.
- After steeping, strain out the solids using cheesecloth or a fine sieve.
- Add sweetener into your infused alcohol. Taste it—feel free to add more if you like it sweeter!
- Bottle your liqueur, label it (so you remember when you made it!), and store it in a cool, dark place. It’ll keep for up to a year—if it lasts that long.
Notes
*Calories are approximate per 1 ounce serving
Servings: 1 quart
Calories: 79kcal
