My Favourite Elderflower Recipes & Remedies
- Dr Lucy
- Jun 5
- 7 min read
Elderflower season is short, which is part of what makes it so special.
Once the creamy-white flowers appear in the hedgerows, there are only a few weeks to gather them fresh, enjoy their fragrance and preserve a little of that early summer medicine for later in the year.
If you've arrived here with a basket full of elderflowers and you're wondering what to do with them, you're in the right place.
But before we get started, I'd encourage you to spend a little time getting to know the plant itself.
In my complete guide to elderflower, I explore its folklore, history, traditional uses, identification, safety considerations and how to forage and harvest it responsibly.
Then come back and choose a recipe or remedy that calls to you.
Some of these preparations are traditional remedies. Some are simply beautiful seasonal recipes. A few include optional aromatherapy additions, but do not need essential oils to work with elderflower. They're there in case you'd like to add another layer of aromatic support.
1. Elderflower Oxymel
If I could only make one elderflower preparation each year, it would probably be this.
An oxymel is a traditional preparation made with vinegar and honey. The vinegar helps extract certain plant compounds, while the honey softens the sharpness and creates something both useful and delicious.
Elderflower oxymel is lovely taken by the teaspoon, stirred into warm water or added to sparkling water for a refreshing summer drink.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh elderflowers, or ½ cup dried
¾ cup raw apple cider vinegar
¾ cup raw honey
Method
Fill a clean glass jar halfway with elderflowers.
Pour over the vinegar and honey, then stir well.
Cover with a non-metallic lid, or place baking parchment beneath a metal lid to prevent corrosion.
Leave to infuse for 2–4 weeks, shaking gently each day.
Strain, bottle and label.
2. Elderflower Syrup
This is summer in a bottle.
Elderflower syrup is one of the most useful preparations to keep in the fridge because it can be used in so many ways: stirred into hot water, added to sparkling water, drizzled over yoghurt or poured over berries.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh elderflowers
3 cups water
1 cup raw honey
Brandy, optional
Method
Place the elderflowers and water into a saucepan.
Bring gently to the boil, then turn off the heat and allow the flowers to infuse for around 30 minutes.
Strain, pressing the flowers gently to extract as much liquid as possible.
Return the infused liquid to the pan and add the honey.
Simmer gently until reduced to a light syrup consistency.
For longer storage, add approximately ¼ cup brandy per cup of finished syrup.
Bottle, label and refrigerate.
3. Sparkling Elderflower Lemonade
This is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh elderflower, especially if you’re making something for family, friends or a summer gathering.
Ingredients
10–12 fresh elderflower heads
1 litre cold water
Zest of 1 lemon (organic / untreated)
Honey to taste
Sparkling water to serve
Method
Place the flowers and lemon zest into a large bowl or jar.
Pour over the cold water, cover and leave to infuse for 12–24 hours.
Strain carefully through muslin or a fine sieve.
Sweeten with honey to taste.
Serve diluted with sparkling water and plenty of ice.
Optional aromatherapy note: if you use essential oils internally and are confident doing so safely, one or two drop of Lemon or Wild Orange essential oil can be added to a whole jug, not an individual glass. This is entirely optional; lemon zest alone is beautiful. Note not all essential oils and brands are suitable for ingestion.
4. Elderflower Cooling Mist
Elderflower has traditionally been associated with cooling and soothing qualities, which makes it especially lovely during warm weather.
This simple mist can be kept in the fridge and used on hot afternoons, after time in the garden, during travel or whenever you want something refreshing.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon fresh or dried elderflowers
1 cup freshly boiled water
Optional: 1 teaspoon lavender hydrosol or rose hydrosol
Optional: 1 drop Lavender essential oil
Method
Place the elderflowers in a heatproof bowl and pour over the hot water.
Allow to steep until completely cool.
Strain well and pour into a clean spray bottle.
Add hydrosol if using.
If adding essential oil, use only one drop and shake thoroughly before each use.
Store in the fridge and use within one week.
Hydrosol note: hydrosols are often a gentler and more appropriate choice for facial mists than essential oils, especially for sensitive skin.
5. Elderflower Steam Inhalation for Summer Colds & Hay Fever Season
Although we often think about steam inhalations in winter, this preparation is very relevant in elderflower season because late spring and early summer also bring hay fever, sinus congestion and those lingering summer colds.
Elderflower brings its traditional use for seasonal respiratory support, while aromatic plants such as peppermint or eucalyptus can add a clearer, more opening quality.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons dried elderflowers, or a generous handful fresh
1 tablespoon dried peppermint, optional
1 litre hot water
Optional: 1 drop Eucalyptus essential oil
Method
Place the elderflowers and peppermint into a large heatproof bowl.
Pour over the hot water.
Allow to cool slightly so the steam is warm but not scalding.
Lean over the bowl at a comfortable distance and cover your head with a towel.
Breathe gently for 5–10 minutes.
If using essential oil, add only one drop once the water has stopped actively boiling.
Aromatherapy note: Eucalyptus is the oil most people are likely to have and works beautifully here. Ravintsara can also be used if you have it, and is one I personally love for seasonal respiratory support, but it is less commonly found in most homes. Essential oils are optional; the herbal steam still works beautifully without them.
Safety note: steam inhalations are not suitable for everyone. Avoid with very young children, asthma that is triggered by steam or strong aromas, and anyone sensitive to essential oils.
6. Elderflower Eye Compress
This is a simple traditional preparation for tired, puffy or irritated eyes, especially during hay fever season, after too much screen time or not enough sleep.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon fresh or dried elderflowers
1 cup boiling water
Cotton pads or a clean cloth
Method
Pour boiling water over the elderflowers and steep for 10 minutes.
Strain thoroughly and allow to cool completely.
Soak cotton pads or a clean cloth in the infusion.
Place over closed eyes for 10–15 minutes.
Do not add essential oils to this preparation. They do not belong anywhere near the eyes.
7. Elderflower Tea
The simplest preparations are not to be underestimates, plus they're often the ones we use most.
Elderflower tea can be made with fresh or dried flowers and combines beautifully with other gentle herbs.
Ingredients
1–2 teaspoons dried elderflowers, or 1 tablespoon fresh
1 cup hot water
Method
Pour hot water over the flowers and steep for 5–10 minutes.
Strain and drink warm.
Lovely combinations include:
Elderflower and peppermint
Elderflower and lemon balm
Elderflower and chamomile
Elderflower and yarrow
Optional aromatic note: rather than adding essential oils to the cup, try inhaling from a bottle of Lemon, Lavender or Eucalyptus while your tea steeps. This keeps the preparation simple while still bringing in an aromatic layer.
8. Elderflower Honey
This is one of the easiest ways to preserve the fragrance of elderflower.
It is beautiful stirred into tea, drizzled over porridge or used in summer desserts.
Ingredients
Fresh elderflowers
Raw honey
Method
Fill a clean jar loosely with fresh elderflowers.
Cover completely with honey.
Stir to remove air pockets.
Leave to infuse for 2–4 weeks.
Strain if desired, or leave the flowers in if you prefer a more rustic preparation.
9. Elderflower Vinegar
Elderflower vinegar is useful, simple and surprisingly versatile.
Use it in salad dressings, oxymels, marinades or diluted in water as a sharp summer tonic.
Ingredients
Fresh elderflowers
Apple cider vinegar
Method
Fill a clean jar loosely with elderflowers.
Cover with apple cider vinegar.
Use a non-metallic lid or protect the lid with parchment.
Infuse for 2–4 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
Strain and bottle.
10. Elderflower Bath Ritual
This is less of a recipe and more of a seasonal ritual.
It is a lovely way to use fresh flowers that are slightly past their best for culinary preparations but still fragrant.
Ingredients
A handful of fresh elderflowers
Muslin bag or clean cloth
Optional: 1 cup Epsom salts
Optional essential oils: 3 drops Lavender and 1 drop Roman Chamomile
if using essential oils you'll need a tbsp of carrier oil such a jojoba
Method
Place the elderflowers into a muslin bag and tie securely.
Add to warm bath water.
If using essential oils, mix them thoroughly into your carrier oil and then add to Epsom salts before adding to the bath. Do not drop essential oils directly into bath water, as they can sit on the surface and irritate the skin.
This is especially lovely in the evening after a hot day.
If You're Not Sure Where To Start
If you've never worked with elderflower before, I'd suggest starting with either the syrup or the oxymel.
The syrup is quick, simple and incredibly versatile. It captures the flavour of elderflower beautifully and can be used in everything from sparkling drinks to desserts and herbal teas.
The oxymel takes a little more patience, but it's probably the preparation I use most throughout the year. It stores well, makes a wonderful seasonal tonic and is one of the easiest ways to preserve elderflower long after the flowers have disappeared from the hedgerows.
If you have an abundance of flowers, I'd recommend making both.
Use some fresh while the season is here, and preserve some for later. That's one of the great joys of working with seasonal plants: enjoying them in the moment whilst also carrying a little of the season forward with you.
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