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Honey Elderflower Liqueur in a bottle
Homemade elderflower liqueur with honey and vodka

Homemade Honey Elderflower Liqueur

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Drinks
Elderflower is the symbol of late spring, with pollen exuding a distinctive muscat-like scent. In this liqueur, honey adds depth and floral complexity that resonates perfectly with the elderflower character. It teeters on the edge of folk medicine and indulgence; while elderflower is often recommended for colds, as a liqueur, it's strictly a soul-warmer.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
⌛ Total Time 21 days
🍽️ Servings 12 servings
🔥 Calories 280 kcal
🌍 Cuisine International

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large mason jar (approx. 2 quarts)
  • Fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth
  • Funnel
  • Sterile bottles for storage

Instructions

1 ✓

Shake out the elderflowers, trim off the thick green stems (they can be bitter), and place the flowers in a clean jar.

Tip: Green parts may contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides which taste bad, so trim the flowers well.
2 ✓

Zest the lemon into the jar, then squeeze in the juice.

Tip: Acid helps stabilize the flavors and prevents the flowers from browning quickly (oxidation).
3 ✓

Drizzle the honey over the flowers. If the honey is too thick, warm it slightly (max 100°F) to make it runny.

Tip: Honey dissolves harder in alcohol than sugar, so liquid honey works best.
4 ✓

Pour in the vodka (and water if you want it milder). Seal and shake thoroughly.

Tip: Alcohol acts as a preservative and extracts the flavors.
5 ✓

Place in a sunny, warm spot (like a windowsill) for 3-4 weeks. Shake the jar daily.

Tip: Unlike other liqueurs, elderflower benefits from warmth (solar infusion) for aging, similar to sun tea.
6 ✓

Double strain: first through a sieve, then through dense cheesecloth, squeezing well. Bottle.

Tip: Sediment-free liqueur looks appetizing and won't spoil.
7 ✓

Chill before serving. Excellent on its own or topped with Prosecco (Hugo cocktail base).

Tip: The longer it sits in the bottle, the darker and deeper the flavor becomes.

Recipe FAQ

When should I pick elderflowers?
On a sunny morning after the dew has dried but before the sun gets too hot. This is when pollen (and scent) concentration is highest.
Should I wash the flowers?
Just gently shake out any bugs! Washing removes the precious pollen that gives the flavor. If they are dusty, just dip them briefly in water.

Ingredients

  • 15 heads Fresh Elderflower Heads (flowers only, remove thick stems)
  • 1 cup Floral Honey (e.g., Acacia)
  • 1 bottle (750ml) Vodka or Grain Spirit
  • 1 whole Lemon (zest and juice, organic)
  • 3/4 cup Water (optional, to adjust strength)