Elderflower hunt for elderflower wine

[creatovator]

I'm wanting to make elderflower wine/champagne and have a recipe, but on a hunt for elderflowers today I couldn't find any. Does anyone know where I can get them around the Glasgow area?

It's way too early for them to be here, especially if you're north of the border. Bide your time another have a go at elderflower champagne - delicious!

Thanks peggy.

What a coincidence, I came on here for a recipe for elderflower cordial, in preparation for when my elderflowers are, well, flowering. They are still tiny and green at the moment (I'm in East Anglia), so I reckon 3-4 weeks. Do either of you, or any other MNer have a recipe for non-alcoholic elderflower beverage?

Sadly not, DH only makes the boozy variety. Yep, I think early July for our elderflower (SW England).

Around here, you tend to find Elder bushes growing in ancient hedgerows alongside hawthorn, blackthorn and rose.

Agreed, flatpackhamster (please tell me the provenance of that name!) my elder bushes are between my meadow & a farmer's field, alongside hawthorn & blackthorn, though sadly no rose. I heard somewhere that you just steep the flowers in water, so I'll try that, but surely it can't be that simple?

I'm in South London and they seem to be at their peak here right now.

Elderflower champagne, while not strictly alcohol free, is as near as makes no difference - it's a similar strength to homemade ginger beer.

There's a recipe here but everybody seems to make it slightly differently. I always bottle it in big fizzy pop bottles. Whenever I've tried glass, I've had explosions.

Durham here and I've spotted a couple just starting to flower.

cordial recipe here. They are all about the same, up to you to experiement with exactly how much sugar, lemon etc for your taste. It keeps pretty well with citric acid but you can also buy campden tablets from Wilkos which will preserve it so it lasts out of the fridge for yonks. I still have several litres from last year to finish off!

Don't forget to be sparing with your picking, take a few heads form each bush so you leave plenty to turn into berries for elderberry syrup and vodka. great for when you have a cold!

Any tips for wine/champagne? I've tried it but not with great results.

OK, just found the recipe I use ...

5-6 heads of elderflower blossom
2 lemons sliced
8 pts water
1 1/2 lbs sugar
2 tbsps cider vinegar or 1/2 oz citric acid

equipment:

Food grade bucket or big bowl
Clean tea towel and string
Long-handled wooden or plastic spoon
Sieve or colander
Muslin cloth for straining
Funnel
Strong bottles

1 - Wash everything thoroughly, including your hands
2 - Boil the water and pour over the sugar and lemons
3 - Cover with the cloth and leave to cool until tepid
4 - Add elderflower and vinegar/citric acid
5 - Stir well and cover again
6 - Leave for two or three days until fizzy, stirring well twice a day
7 - Strain into clean, strong bottles and store somewhere cool