“Get in touch with your inner hippy”
The hedgerows in Devon are full of the scent of Elderflower blooms, those magical mille fiori blossoms which speak of Summer and blue skies. Time to make Elderflower Champagne! It’s easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients. Go on; get in touch with your inner hippy this weekend as you forage in the hedgerows. It won’t be long before those corks are popping!
ELDERFLOWER CHAMPAGNE
6-7 Elderflower heads in full bloom
1 gallon (8 pints) cold water
1 1/2lbs sugar
2 tblsp white wine vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
METHOD
- Squeeze the juice of the lemon, then cut the rind into quarters and place this with the Elderflowers in a large bowl.
- Add the sugar and vinegar then pour over the cold water and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Cover and leave to steep for 24 hours in a cool place.
- Strain and bottle in strong, sterilised, screw-top wine bottles or champagne bottles with plastic corks and wires.
- Ready in 2-3 weeks. Serve chilled.
Have a great weekend!
Dartmoor Flower Shed 
Pretty
Thank you Gretchen, it tastes lovely too.
And your inner ‘happy’!
Yes, that too!
Beautiful!!! ~amy
Thank you so much Amy.
Sweden has a tradition of making the same kind of drink. Is this recipe have a alcohol content? The recipe is almost the same, one main difference is for the vinegar in it. It is said to help fight colds in the winter. You can drink it cold or warm. It a concentrated drink in Sweden that you delude with water.
The picture is beautiful of course. I like your label on the bottle. Have a great Mid-summer today!
Honey
Thank you Honey. I wonder if what you have seen in Sweden is a syrup? We have that here too and it can be added to cakes and drinks. The “champagne” is a light and refreshing Summer drink with no alcohol.
Happy Mid Summer to you too!
Karen.
You are correct Karen that what I am thinking of is a syrup. It is none alcholocic drink. I never heard of using it in cakes. That sounds like it would be delicious.This champange sounds good. I like the fact is none alcholic.
Happy Mid-summer to you too
Sounds fun, easy and fabulous! Thanks for the recipe!
Reblogged this on janjoy52 and commented:
Who would have guessed?! Easy recipe if you can find this flower or live in England!
Thanks so much Jan! I have a little bottling factory here in my kitchen today. The recipe was handed down to me by my Grandma, but I know lots of people make it here in England and Sweden. I would have thought you might have the plant there too….fingers crossed and thanks so much for the re-blog!
Karen.
Thanks for this! I’ll have to try it.
inner hippie? I like that. that raises the question if I ever really left the 70’s. 🙂
I think we all have an inner hippie hidden away somewhere Robert!
I think I have some outer hippie going on too, Karen. 😛
I am laughing!
😀
just be careful putting it into glass! http://cookingwithmrfitz.com/2014/07/13/mr-fitz-goes-pop/
You are so right! I have had exploding bottles in the past, so I always use champagne or Cava bottles now and corks and cages.
Thank you for dropping by and making a comment!
Karen
Ahhh we drink a lot of cava.. Ahem.. So that a very good plan.. Thanks!
Yes, same here! Re-cycling day is always a little embarrassing at my house! Nothing like a glass of fizz!
Yum yum yummmm! 🙂 A great tasty recipe & what a cool inviting photo too! 🙂