My Elderflower and Strawberry Cordial/Syrup is fruity and floral. Ideal to celebrate summer’s a bounty. As well as mixing this pretty pink cordial with water or lemonade, you can also create a fabulous cocktail by mixing it with sparkling wine or champagne.
What is Midsummer’s Eve?
Midsummer’s Eve is the night for faeries, magic and mystical revelry, The day before Midsummer Day, also known as St John’s Day, it is the ancient middle of summer as well as the nativity of St John the Baptist.
Midsummer, not to be confused with the Summer Solstice, is a potent and ancient celebration and until the 21st century, it was observed in Great Britain, with bonfires, the wearing and decorating of flowers, general feasting and merrymaking!
It was also believed that it was the time of the year when witches were abroad, hence the lighting of fires to ward off evil spirits, and if you managed to stay up all night, and were sat in the middle of a stone circle, you might see the “Fae” as in faeries (fairies) and be blessed with good luck for the rest of the year.
Sadly, the bonfires and making merry are not observed so much nowadays, if at all, but if you travel to Cornwall (or France) you may still see some Midsummer bonfires burning bright against the pale summer night sky; and in Scandinavia, they still celebrate this mystical time of year with flowers, berries and other special foods, as well as dancing.
Celebrate Midsummer’s Eve
Although I don’t expect my readers, or myself for that matter, to bedeck themselves in flowers and prance around the woods, exciting and fun though it sounds, it would be nice to “restore” the observance of Midsummer by making something special to eat and drink tonight, as well as eating outdoors with candles and freshly picked flowers to dress the tables…….don’t you think?
A Midsummer’s Night Picnic
We, as a family, celebrated Midsummer’s Eve many years ago; we went to Fountains Abbey to see Shakespeare’s play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” being performed amongst the old ruins.
We trekked across the grass armed with picnic baskets, cushions, a fold-up picnic table and waited with anticipation for the play to start…….sitting on the grassy bank with the stars and moon as our only light.
I remember candles were scattered about the abbey as we watched as the ancient play unfold. It was a magical evening that I will never forget; even my daughter who was only five years old at the time still remembers this special evening.
I offered to make the picnic, and I remember that I made Coronation Chicken, little pies and pasties filled with tender chicken and pink ham, sandwiches of all sorts along with fresh green salads and a large fruit cake.
Elderflower and Strawberry Cordial/Syrup
I know we took wine, as well as “squash” and juice, but had I made today’s recipe for Elderflower and Strawberry Cordial back then, I feel sure that would have been on the Midsummer Night picnic menu too.
And so my recipe for today is fruity and floral, to celebrate summer’s bounty, and as well as mixing this pretty pink cordial with water or lemonade, you can also create a fabulous cocktail by mixing it with sparkling wine or champagne.
Have a wonderful Midsummer’s Eve and Day, and do let me know what customs and traditions you follow for this special night! Karen
Pin Me!
Pin Me Too!
Elderflower and Strawberry Cordial/Syrup Recipe
Elderflower and Strawberry Cordial/Syrup
The magical combination of fragrant elderflowers and fresh strawberries make this cordial/syrup extra special. Serve with sparkling water, soda water or lemonade, or for a very special occasion, serve with champagne for a champagne cocktail which is bound to wow any party or large gathering.
Ingredients
- 20 to 25 elderflower umbals (heads)
- 2 large lemons
- 1.5kg of caster sugar
- 50g of tartaric or citric acid,
- 2 litres of boiling water
- 450g of hulled and halved strawberries
Instructions
Step 1: Place 20 to 25 elderflower umbals (heads) shaken free of insects and 2 large lemons that have been sliced in to a large container, preferably one that has a lid.
Step 2: Add 1.5kg of caster sugar and 50g of tartaric or citric acid, then pour 2 litres of boiling water over the elderflower and sugar mixture and stir.
Step 3: Allow to cool slightly before adding 450g of hulled and halved strawberries and give it all a good mix. Press the strawberries against the sides of the container to squash them slightly, then cover and place in a cool, dark place for 3 days, (72 hours) stirring at least twice a day.
Step 4: When you are ready to bottle the cordial/syrup, strain the mixture in batches through muslin and a sieve and then pour into clean (sterilised) bottles. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Notes
You can use raspberries in place of strawberries.
Nutrition Information
Yield 50 servings Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 120Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 2mgCarbohydrates 31gFiber 0gSugar 30gProtein 0g
Nutrition information is an approximate calculation based on the ingredients listed and it can vary according to portion sizes and when different ingredients are used
Kathryn says
I love the idea of celebrating the bounty of summer tonight; it’s not something that I’ve ever really celebrated but it sounds like such a treat!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Kathryn and why not build in a new celebration to our every day life! 🙂
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I saw this on instagram and fell in faeries and edible flower love. Gorgeous pics Karen and I bet it tastes even better than it looks.
Karen Burns-Booth says
AW thanks Bintu, I DO love a good elderflower cordial and with strawberries, it is even better! 🙂
Glamorous Glutton says
I love the Pre Raphaelites with their mystical fairy paintings and atmosphere from another time. A perfect link for your Fountain Abbey Foray. Great recipe, I bet this is delicious with strawberries. I thought if you didn’t heat the cordial in the bottles it wouldn’t keep except in the fridge? There’s still a few elderflowers left, I’m off to pick and bottle. GG
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks GG! I have always made it this way and it is the citric or tartaric acid that keeps it okay, although it has to be stored in a cool place, so a fridge could be used! Karen
Choclette says
I may be from Cornwall, but I had no idea Midsummer was on a different day to the Solstice – where have I been not to have seen those bonfires? Tucked up in bed like a good girl most probably 😉 Love the colour of your cordial and I bet it would taste divine in a glass of champers.
Karen Burns-Booth says
The solstice is when the day and night are of equal length, and midsummer is the middle date of the summer season, but they often get pushed together and so the summer solstice is called midsummer! You need to keep your eyes peeled for those fires next year Choclette! Karen
Dominic says
you are a poet with both your words and your cooking… this is beautiful. In so many way. I need a glorious long tall glass of this stunning liquid. xx
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Dom! It is delicious with sparkling wine too…..Karen
Heidi Roberts says
I love the heady fragrance of the elderflowers growing this time of the year. The syrup is my absolute favourite drink but the addition of strawberries is genius!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Heidi, I have married strawberries with elderflowers before, but not together in a cordial, and it worked so well!
Ginger says
Beautiful pictures – I love the idea of adding strawberries to the syrup and will definitely give that a try next year.
We used to have bonfires for St John’s when I grew up in southern Germany – you could see them burning all across the valley. Thanks for the lovely post!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Ginger! I feel sure that when I lived in Germany, that I remember seeing bonfires on St John’s night/eve too. The strawberries really add to the elderflower cordial, rather than taking anything away.
Janice says
Absolutely stunning photographs and a beautiful cordial. Perfect for a ‘faerie’ picnic? hee hee
Karen Burns-Booth says
A faerie picnic at faerie land Janice! Hahaha!!
kellie@foodtoglow says
Beautiful cordial and sweet idea celebrating Midsummer’s Eve in such a delicious, fun way.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Kellie – it’s nice to revive some of the old traditions! Karen
London Unattached says
I wonder if I could drink this (with a strawberry allergy). Though I suspect it would be just as nice made with raspberries?
Karen Burns-Booth says
I think you might get away with it Fiona, as there are no pips in it, or flesh, just the flavour! Raspberries are on my list to make next time 😉 Karen
Lauren Hairston says
I did manage to do a bit of Midsummer celebrating but I left planning too late to do a proper flower crown for a romp in the woods. Not that we have a woods, because it’s pretty much just grassland! Next year, though…
I am so JEALOUS of everyone who just has elderflowers growing around them. The closest I can get are those bottled elderflower cordials. Not so bad, really, if gin is involved.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Oh how I wish that I had had time for a romp in the woods Lauren! 🙂 I am very lucky with elderflowers here in the UK and France and wish I could send you some……Karen
Caroline Taylor says
This syrup sounds amazing Karen, such summery flavours and a beautiful colour too.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Caroline – it was a fabulous discovery and I am now plotting more elderflower and fruit syrups.
Vivien Lloyd says
What an informative and inspirational post Karen My Elderflowers are over now but your recipe will be top of my Elderflower list next year X
anna@annamayeveryday says
I’ve made lots of regular elderflower cordial this year but what lovely idea to add strawberries – sadly our flowers are pretty much over but I will try this next year!
Sisley White says
I love strawberry and elderflower flavours together. I’ve made a cheesecake using the flavours but I love the idea of it in cordial. I really want to try this 🙂
LInda Kauffer says
Hello from Ohio in the US! I stumbled upon this recipe yesterday, and while it WAS Midsummer’s Eve and too late to celebrate this year, I HAD to make it anyway as the elder is in full bloom here right now! I was unable to procure fresh (locally grown) strawberries, buty my grocer had a great sale on raspberries, so I got those instead (my preference, anyway). I just put the lid on the mixture, and I am so excited, I cannot wait for the finished product.
For any other Americans who might wish to make this recipe, here are the conversions. I wasn’t worried about being exact, as it would have been difficult to measure. 1.5 kg of caster (we call it superfine) sugar is 6 and a generous 1/3 cups. 450 grams of strawberries/raspberries is just a tosh under 1 pound, so I used a pound. 2 li (water) is 67.9 fl ounces.
I was unable to locate citric acid, so I had to make it without it. I hope that won’t mess it up!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Hi Linda, thank you for your comment – and raspberries will work just as well! The Citric Acid is the preserving agent, so you will have to store this in the fridge for up to 2 weeks – if it lasts that long! Thank you for the conversions, I also have a kitchen notes page on my site with conversions too! Karen
Alexandra says
Hello! Greetings from Switzerland! I moved here two years ago and I’m new to Elderflower. I made this recipe with freshly picked flowers and raspberries from the local farmer’s market. The color is AMAZING and it tastes great as well. I’m so excited to take some to México …to my family in a couple of months and i wish i had made more. Unfortunately there are no more flowers in the forest. By coincidence I made the syrup on Midsummer! Will definitely make it again. Thank you! M
Karen Burns-Booth says
Hello – I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! Have a wonderful weekend, Karen