To make elderflower cordial without citric acid, steep about 25 fresh elderflower heads with lemon and orange zest in hot water overnight, strain, then simmer the liquid with sugar and the citrus juice. That is all it takes. This cordial gets its bright flavor from fresh lemons and an orange, and it follows River Cottage’s classic elderflower cordial, which treats powdered citric acid as optional.
Elderflower Cordial Without Citric Acid at a Glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What flavors it? | Fresh elderflower , lemon zest and juice, and orange zest and juice |
| How long does it steep? | Overnight |
| How do I keep it? | Refrigerate in clean bottles, or freeze extra |
| How do I serve it? | Start with one part cordial to four parts cold water, then adjust to taste |
Ingredients for Lemon Elderflower Cordial
- 25 fresh elderflower heads
- Zest and juice of 3 lemons (about 150 ml of juice together with the orange)
- Zest and juice of 1 orange
- 1 kg granulated sugar
- 1.5 litres water
Use citrus with clean, unwaxed peel if possible. Pick fully opened, fragrant flower heads from plants you know and that have not been sprayed, away from busy roadsides. Shake off insects and remove the thick green stalks.
How to Make Elderflower Cordial Without Citric Acid
- Put the elderflower heads and finely grated citrus zest in a large heatproof bowl.
- Bring the water to a boil and pour it over the flowers and zest. Cover and leave overnight.
- Strain the infusion through clean muslin or a fine sieve into a saucepan. Discard the spent flowers.
- Stir in the sugar and freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice. Heat gently until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Pour into clean bottles, cool, and refrigerate. Dilute with cold water or sparkling water before drinking.
The flowers are infused in hot water first; the sugar and juice go into the strained liquid afterward. That order matters when comparing this recipe with cordials that steep flowers directly in sugar syrup.
Storage and Serving
Keep the finished cordial in clean, closed bottles in the refrigerator, and freeze any extra in freezer-safe containers with a little room to expand. Without citric acid it is best treated as a fridge cordial, so make a modest batch and use it while it tastes fresh.
Try it with sparkling water and lemon over ice. For a cozy fall cup, stir a spoonful into hot water with a slice of lemon. It also works in cucumber elderflower spritzes , in the Easter mocktails , and in iced tea . For a version made with powdered citric acid, see the classic elderflower cordial recipe .
Common Questions
Can lemon juice replace citric acid in elderflower cordial?
Yes. A classic cordial recipe can use fresh lemon and orange and leave out the powdered citric acid. Follow the amounts and method above.
How long does elderflower cordial without citric acid last?
Keep it refrigerated and use it while it is fresh, and freeze portions if you want to keep it longer. Throw it out if it grows mold, fizzes, or smells off.
Can I leave out the orange?
The orange is part of this formula. Leaving it out changes the flavor and acidity, so for a different citrus balance, follow a recipe written for that combination.
