A Refreshing Way to Enjoy the Immune Boosting Benefits of Elderberry Flower & Lemon -- A Mocktai

If you've read my blogs or instagram posts before you know I'm a big fan of herbal tea -- both hot and iced. Well during the warm July evenings, I've discovered a lovely new way to enjoy elderflower -- a lemon elderflower mocktail!

Elderflower or Sambucus nigra is the precursor to the more familiar fruit -- elderberry. But just like the berry, elderflower is beneficial to immune health.

Elderflower is known to have diaphoretic (promotes perspiration and waste removal via the skin), anticatarrhal (reduces mucous), and antispasmodic (eases smooth muscle spasms) actions. (1)

Of course herbs need to be employed on a regular basis and specific manner such as tinctures, syrups, infusions/teas, or capsules to fight imbalances, boost immune health, and such. A single drink won't cut it, but it can be an enjoyable way to experience the herb and a delightful alternative to a tea or syrup. And if you commit to sipping a daily mocktail or two you may find benefits similar to drinking herbal teas.

Elderflower is said to help one feel good even when they aren't sick -- and it tastes good. So what goes into making an elderflower lemon mocktail?

I got inspiration from David Hurst's book From Garden to Glass. He has a recipe for an Elderberry fizz that includes a elderberry-lemon simple syrup but there is no recipe for the syrup. But I decided to give it a go and see what happened. And the results were delicious.

The recipe for the syrup is below. Once you have the syrup you can add it to seltzer water, embellish with a squeeze or citrus, and sweeten it with a touch of juice. And you could even add a bit of gin or vodka or sparkling wine if you wanted to create a cocktail.

Elderberry - Lemon Syrup

Add to a small pot:

2 Tablespoons of dried elderflower (Sambucus nigra)

1 lemon sliced with peel on (preferably organic)

1 cup water

1 cup sugar of choice (preferably organic)

Heat the mixture to a boil and simmer on low for 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off, cover, and allow to cool and continue to steep for 30 to 60 minutes. Strain and store in a clean bottle or jar (preferably glass).

Use 1 to 2 oz of syrup per mocktail. Try adding syrup to a 6 to 8 oz glass, add ice, and top with sparkling water for a refreshing drink -- add a splash of lemon and a touch of juice for a fuller flavor. And if you're craving a cocktail add sparkling wine in place of seltzer or a splash of vodka or gin.

Want to avoid sugar? Add the elderflower and lemon to the pot with one cup of water, bring to a boil, and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes. Take off the heat, strain, and add 1 cup of honey or agave syrup and use as described above.

And yes we offer elderflower online and in store. As it heats up why not try a refreshing herbal mocktail?

aromatic blessings friends,

Tricia