May 31st, 2014
We’re in Russia, cathcing up with family and friends, and loving the abundant local springtime. Paloma’s Russian has improved very quickly, being around her grandma and cousins all the time – I’m one pleased mama.
Spring time here in the Northern Caucasus means blossoming elder trees everywhere. Seeing all this beauty, I remembered about an Elderflower Lemonade from the Vegetarian Everyday cookbook that I’ve been curisous to try.
I loved the whole process – from picking wild elderflowers, to seperating the buds from the stems – overall it was a very aesthetically satisfying process. There is lots of folklore based around the elder tree and its parts are believed to have many medicinal properties.
Elderflowers lend a subtle, perfumey and very summery flavor. For this lemonade, I used local honey, which is bright yellow in color and gave the lemonade a brilliant shade. We’ve been enjoying it in the afternoons, to cool down in a land where air conditioning is rare.
In other news, I’m doing my first cookbook signing and cooking demo at the charming Inkwood Books in Tampa. If you’re in the area, I’d love to see you there. Visit here for tickets and more info.
Elderflower Lemonade
about 6 elderflower heads
1 lemon – juice and zest
1 lemon – thinly sliced
1/2 cup honey or more to taste
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
6 cups room temperature water
Mix all ingredients to dissolve. Cover and let infuse at room temperature for 24-48 hours. Strain the flowers and keep refrigerated.
Tags: drink
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Kathryn says:
Beautiful and just so summer-y. Really, really lovely.
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Jennifer @ Delicious Everyday says:
Beautiful!!! I love elderflower. I only wish it was easier to get hold of here in Australia.
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Chelsea says:
So beautiful! I’m a sucker for recipes with flowers!
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Sini | my blue&white kitchen says:
Oh my gosh, this lemonade looks so refreshing! The perfect drink enjoyed on a porch on a warm summer day. A truly wonderful post, Anya! Enjoy your time with family and friends!
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CookSophieCook says:
Gorgeous! Both the photos of the lemonade and the scenery. Inspired.
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Trai says:
Elderflower is so pretty, too! What a lovely recipe.
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Rosie @The Porridge Pot says:
I love elderflower, and this looks stunning!
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Olli says:
с цветочками очень красиво получается))
пьётся прямо вместе с ними? -
Lindsey says:
wild elderflowers! i would love to see those beautiful stems and delicate flowers in person one day. so much love for this lovely summer drink!
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[…] публикувана в един от любимите ми блогове – Голубка. Затова днес ви представям именно нея, като леко съм […]
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Valentina @Hortus says:
Hi Anya!
Ack, I wish i saw this post last month! We have 2 huge elderflower trees, and the smell was so good that I really oped to do something with the flowers that didn’t involve baking…unfortunately, they all fell before I could figure out some proper uses for them.Your book got in the mail today and I LOVE it! Can’t wait to cook (and blog from it! :)
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Ami@NaiveCookCooks says:
Your book is in my to buy list! I love your blog, recipes and the feeling I get when I come here. So fresh and vibrant!
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[…] Elderflower and Coriander Vodka Recip Elderflower Lemonade […]
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[…] Do gorącej wody wrzucamy kaszę (można ją też wcześniej podprażyć i zalać wrzątkiem). Dodajemy oliwę, pokrojone marchewki, seler z posiekaną nacią, korzeń pietruszki i uprażone bez tłuszczu ziarna słonecznika. Doprawiamy suszonymi i świeżymi ziołami. Dodajemy sól do smaku i dolewamy zimnej wody, jeśli to konieczne. Kasza jaglana pije dużo wody; trzeba się nauczyć, jak ją gotować – to zajmuje trochę czasu :). Na koniec, gdy kasza już jest prawie ugotowana, a warzywa miękkie (po około 15-20 minutach), dodajemy posiekaną natkę pietruszki i sok z cytryny. Dekorujemy świeżymi ziołami i podajemy na ciepło. Wiosenna jaglanka najlepiej smakuje mi na balkonie. A na deser lemoniada z kwiatów dzikiego bzu. Przepis znalazłam na moim ulubionym wegańskim blogu: http://golubkakitchen.com/2014/05/elderflower-lemonade.html […]
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[…] Elderflower Lemonade […]
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Natalia says:
oh my….must admit, I fell in love with the plant from the first smell…
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Steve says:
When you say infuse at room temperature, do you mean the water isn’t boiling when you start? I make cordial with pretty much the same recipe, albeit with boiling water at the beginning. The only trouble with this is it smells like a tom cat has been by.
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Anya says:
Hi Steve, I just cover it with room temperature water and let it infuse, no boiling water.
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[…] summer you’ll get elderflowers, which you can use to make syrup, tea or lemonade. (See step five for details.) And by next summer you’ll have juicy elderberries to use in […]
