Elderflowers are in full bloom in middle east part of Germany I live in.
Known as Holunderblüte in German, elderflowers come from the elder tree. Around late spring and early summer, the trees are covered with delicate clusters of tiny white flowers. They grow everywhere here—along paths, in parks, in gardens, and even on roadsides.
As soon as the flowers begin to open and their sweet fragrance drifts through the air, many people start thinking about elderflower syrup. The flowers have a unique floral aroma that pairs beautifully with the bright acidity of lemon, creating one of my favorite summer drinks.
So recently, I picked a few flower heads from trees in my neighborhood. At this time of year, it's not unusual to see people carrying baskets and collecting elderflowers. After wild garlic season in spring, elderflower foraging is one of the small traditions that mark the beginning of summer.
You can buy bottles ones at stores but making elderflower syrup is surprisingly simple. A sugar syrup is prepared and cooled, then infused with elderflowers and sliced lemons for a few days before being strained.
Yesterday I bottled a batch, around 500ml, and enjoyed the first drink with my family on a warm afternoon, mixed with sparkling water and plenty of ice. It tasted like summer had finally arrived.
Besides sparkling water, elderflower syrup is also a key ingredient in a popular summer cocktail called Hugo, made with sparkling wine, soda water, mint, and lime.
The next stage of foraging begins: berries. Raspberries, currants, and blackberries start appearing throughout the countryside. Then elder trees themselves will develop clusters of green berries, which gradually ripen into deep purple-black elderberries by late summer. A few years ago, I discovered elderberry jam through a blog post, and it quickly became one of my favorite preserves. So I hope to make it again this year 😊
One of the things I love most about living in Germany is how the rhythm of the seasons naturally brings new ingredients, new harvests, and new kitchen projects. I wish I enjoy the short summer fully.
エルダーフラワーの花が咲いてシロップを作りました。日本語部分はnoteに書いたのでよかったら！