Elderflower Wine is a traditional wine of the UK, made from the Elderflower plant which is also known as the elderberry plant. The elderflower has a variety of species however take note that the American Red Elder is toxic as well as the seeds from the European Elder so make sure to avoid digesting these plants.
Although the elders begin as shrubs, they have the potential to grow into small trees that blossom with beautiful little white flowers. The white flowers on all of the elders are wonderfully fragrant and are edible. Also edible are the berries of this plant apart from the exceptions above! When the fruit of an elderflower plant is consumed raw, it could taste rather bitter. To decrease the bitter taste found in the berries, try cooking or drying them first.
If you are the type of person who enjoys the fruits of their labour, then making your own wine might be right up your street. If you decide to make your own wine, then the best way to pick out the flowers is to choose a tree that has fully blossomed. The scent of the tree will indicate which one is best to cut from. The smell of the flowers should be strong and fragrant. After finding the perfect elderflower tree to use, make sure to cut the stem at the base of each cluster of flowers. Now that you’ve got your elderflowers, it is time to put them to work. Here is a recipe for a homemade Elderflower Wine from Grapestomper.com
1 package wine yeast
3 pints elderflowers
3 gallons water
2 pounds raisins
Juice of 3 oranges
Juice of 1 lemon• Wash off elderflowers, then drain and place into primary fermentor
• Combine water and sugar until it makes a syrup and pour over elderflowers
• Cover and let cool
• Mix yeast with orange and lemon juice and add to elderflower mixture
• Cover and let sit for 10 days
• Strain and add raisins to leftover liquid
• Cover and let sit for 4 months
• Bottle wine and let store for six months in a dark place
If you are not up to waiting six months to try Elderflower wine, there are places where you can purchase it now. Try Masterofmalt.com for a 750ml bottle of Moniack Elderflower Wine for £6.95. Yorkshire Country Wines and Broughton Pastures also offer an Elderflower wine on Everywine.co.uk. Whether you buy your Elderflower wine or make it yourself you are in for an amazing flavour. Who knows, you might be able to add another string to your bow by selling your wines to markets and at festivals. It would surely go down a treat!
Do you have any experience to share about making elderflower wine?
