A flower of many lores and cultural uses, Elderflower seems to carry nostalgia for people who anticipate their yearly blooms. We are lucky on the west coast to have an abundance of native species in the forest, as well as many cultivated trees in parks and community herb commons. Both flowers and berries have a number of health benefits for the immune system and upper respiratory tract. They infuse beautifully into raw honey, fermented honey recipes, and do well dried for later use in teas. This simple cordial is a century old recipe that captures the fragrance and delicate flavours for mixing into drinks, or using in desserts.

CLASSIC ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL:

3 cups sugar
3 cups water
1 1/2 - 2 cups elderflowers. Unwashed & de-stemmed.
2-3 lemons

Combine water and sugar and bring to a simmer, juice your lemons into the pot and add the whole rinds/wedges. Turn heat down and simmer for about 10 mins. Take off heat and add your un-rinsed & destemmed flowers to the pot. Cover with a lid and let sit overnight or 8-10 hours. Strain off flowers and lemon rinds. Bottle in a sterile glass bottles or mason jars.