Holunderblütensirup (Austrian Elderflower Syrup)
In short: Fragrant elderflowers steeped in lemon sugar syrup for two days, then strained and bottled. Dilute with cold water for a classic Austrian summer drink. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 16 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Resting
- 48 h
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 16
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 125 kcal
Every early summer, when the elder bushes bloom, many Austrian households make Holunderblütensirup, often called Hollersirup. Flower heads are steeped with lemon slices in sugar syrup for two days, then strained and bottled. Mixed with cold still or sparkling water, it makes a floral, lemony drink, and a spoonful goes into sparkling wine, desserts and cakes. Pick flowers on a dry, sunny morning, away from busy roads, when they are fully open and smell sweet.
Instructions
- Shake the flower heads gently outdoors to dislodge insects. Do not wash them, because rinsing removes the fragrant pollen. Trim off most of the thick green stalks with scissors.
- Put the flower heads and lemon slices in a large, clean bowl or pot.
- Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar dissolves, and simmer for 3 minutes. Take off the heat, stir in the citric acid until dissolved and let the syrup cool until lukewarm.
- Pour the syrup over the flowers and lemon. Press them down with a small plate so they stay under the liquid, cover with a clean cloth and leave in a cool place for 2 days, stirring once a day.
- Strain through a fine sieve lined with a clean cloth into a saucepan, pressing lightly. Bring the syrup just to a boil.
- Pour the hot syrup into sterilized bottles, seal and let cool. Keep unopened bottles in a cool, dark place, and refrigerate once opened.
- To serve, mix 1 part syrup with about 8 parts cold still or sparkling water over ice. Add a lemon slice and a sprig of mint.
Tips
- Do not wash the flowers, since the pollen carries most of the aroma. Shake them well and check for small insects instead.
- Steeping for longer than 3 days can turn the flavor harsh and slightly bitter. For more lemon flavor, add a second sliced lemon rather than steeping longer.
Questions and answers
Can I make elderflower syrup without citric acid?
Yes, but it will not keep as long. Use the juice of 2 lemons instead, store the syrup in the fridge or freezer and use it within a few weeks.
How long does elderflower syrup keep?
Hot-filled, sealed bottles keep for about 3 months in a cool, dark place. Once opened, store in the fridge and use within 4 weeks. The syrup also freezes well in small containers.
Which elderflowers are safe to use?
Use only flowers you can identify with certainty as black elder (Sambucus nigra), and trim off the thick green stems. Avoid flowers from busy roadsides or sprayed areas.
How long does it take to make Holunderblütensirup (Austrian Elderflower Syrup)?
About 30 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Holunderblütensirup (Austrian Elderflower Syrup)?
About 125 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 125 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 31 g |
| Sodium | 1 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
