4 exciting elderflower recipes to try, from drizzle cake to pickled veg

Elderflower know-how

• Elderflowers are the delicate blooms of the elder tree; they flower from late May to mid June. The autumn berries were once popular for homemade wine.
• Only pick elderflowers after at least a few days of dry weather – rain washes away the flavourful pollen.
• Give them a good shake to evict any insects that might be lurking.
• Use them as soon as possible so they don’t lose their flavour and fragrance.
• Elders have been associated with witchcraft in folklore, and a magic wand made of elder is a key element in the final book of the Harry Potter series.
• The flowers and berries of the elder have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It’s thought they might possess anti-inflammatory properties but more research is needed.
• There’s nothing better than foraging your own elderflowers on a sunny spring day. Remember not to pick flowers close to the ground (you aren’t washing them so they need to be away from animals), only take as much as you need and get permission from the landowner where necessary.

See our full guide to foraging for and cooking with elderflower, including a recipe for elderflower cordial.

4 inspiring elderflower recipes to try

Elderflower drizzle cake
Lemon and elderflower are a match made in heaven, as this loaf cake proves. Fresh from the oven, a simple light sponge is drizzled with a citrussy elderflower syrup, giving it a sweet, floral flavour with a bright tang.

Elderflower and pear shrub
Fresh elderflower notes blend well with buttery, mellow pears in this shrub – a fruity drinking vinegar that balances sweetness and acidity in a lightly fermented syrup. Shrubs usually follow a formula of equal parts fruit, sugar and vinegar. You can try different types of fruit and vinegar to vary the flavours. We used elderflower cordial in this recipe for part of the sugar content. Top up with soda, still water or use in a cocktail. The amount you dilute it is up to you and how strong you like the shrub.

Elderflower and gooseberry tart
Delicate elderflower lifts tart gooseberries in this elegant English-flavoured riff on a tarte au citron. To create the stripes on top, rest strips of card (a recycled cereal box would work well) over the surface before dusting with icing sugar and carefully lifting them away. Smart!

Elderflower giardiniera
These colourful Italian-style pickles are flavoured with fresh elderflowers, giving them a wonderfully sweet and floral flavour. They’re delicious served with a cheeseboard or used in sandwiches and salads.

Browse all our best elderflower recipes, including cocktails and desserts.