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Elderflower season is an exciting but short lived time. Every year I try to find some way to preserve the elderflower harvest so that I can enjoy them for a longer period of time. I’ve been wanting to try making elderflower liqueur (also known as St. Germain) for some time now. This year the local elder trees were absolutely loaded with elderflowers, so I decided to make this delicious elderflower liqueur!
Harvesting Elderflowers
Elderflowers appear before elderberries, and they arrive anytime between May through July, depending on your location and climate.
It’s important to consider that elderflowers turn into elderberries, so taking them will mean fewer berries on the tree. This usually isn’t an issue as elder trees are widespread and very prolific.
Regardless, do try and only take a few flowers from each tree if possible.
Read my post on foraging elderflowers and elderberries to learn more.
Insects love elderflowers, so be sure to give the flowers a few shakes before using to remove them. It also helps to let them sit for an hour or two outside to let any remaining bugs vacate.
The leaves, stems, seeds, and unripe berries of elder are toxic when consumed in large amounts, so remember that when making any kind of elderflower or elderberry preparation.
How to Make Elderflower Liqueur
Depending on the size of the elderflowers you collect, you will need about 20-30 whole flower heads for this liqueur recipe.
Although it’s a bit labor intensive, it’s important to cut the flowers off with as little stem as possible attached. This is because the stems contain a toxic compound and can cause stomach upset in large amounts in some people.
If you don’t have access to fresh elderflowers, dried elderflowers can also be used, just use about half as much as fresh.
Fill a quart jar with the elderflowers, leaving an inch or two of space at the top.
Pour a 750ml bottle of vodka over the elderflowers, then top the jar with lemon slices to keep the flowers submerged under the vodka.
Cover the jar with a lid and put it in a cool and dark place to infuse for 2-4 weeks.
When ready to use, strain out the elderflowers with a fine mesh sieve, then add the optional honey or sugar and stir well or shake to combine.
The elderflower liqueur can be consumed right away, or aged longer if desired. It will keep indefinitely!
Elderflower Liqueur co*cktail Recipes
Can I tell you how amazing this elderflower liqueur is? It is so incredibly good, and it makes a great summer co*cktail! I like to simply combine it with some sparkling mineral water, and in my opinion that’s all you really need.
If you want to get more fancy than that, here are some amazing sounding elderflower liqueur co*cktail recipes to try:
St‑Germain is a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers, hand-picked once a year in the late spring. To accomplish its exquisitely natural flavor, every bottle of St‑Germain contains up to 1,000 of the very best elderflower blossoms, resulting in a finely crafted, perfectly balanced and refined liqueur.
How long does St‑Germain last? As a natural liqueur made with fresh flowers, the color may slowly change over time due to natural oxidation (caused by light and air). We recommend that you consume St~Germain liqueur within 6 months after opening, and keep your bottle in a dry, cool space and away from bright light.
Cooper, launched St‑Germain, the world's first elderflower liqueur in 2007. Inspired by Paris and its iconic quarter St‑Germain‑des‑Prés, St‑Germain sets a precedent as a modern liqueur made for co*cktails, and perfect for the aperitif.
How to Drink St-Germain. St-Germain can add sweetness and citrusy, floral hints to any drink. It pairs well with spirits like gin, vodka and tequila, as well as with fruity flavors. It can also be enjoyed by itself as an aperitif.
4 Answers. All I've seen anywhere is that the base is eau-de-vie. Eau-de-vie means different things in different places but, in France (where St. Germain hails from) it basically means any distillate.
Germain Elderflower Liqueur with fresh cucumber and lime juice, gin, rosemary simple syrup and orange bitters. It's one of my most sought after co*cktails. Get this, you can even freeze it and use it to layer a shot. The newbies in the co*cktail world 9–10 will start out mixing co*cktails with St.
St Germain Liqueur features a subtle yet delicate flavor, a fresh, quality taste and notes of peach, pear and grapefruit that are enhanced by the endless charm of the elderflower.
St-Germain, the popular elderflower liqueur, is known for its ubiquity in co*cktails but in recent years, it's also built a reputation for throwing high-profile well-regarded parties. For many years, the liqueur was the host of the Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governor's Island in New York, as well as stand-alone soirees.
This versatile spirit mixes well with everything from Champagne and white wine to gin, vodka, and whiskey. Elderflower co*cktails are absolutely delightful to drink, perfect for any occasion, and a fantastic change from the ordinary.
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is generally considered safe even at night. The town is well-lit with an active presence of patrolling police, which helps to enhance safety.
The brand was named after Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the bottle shape is influenced by Art Deco motifs associated with the Belle Époque history of this area. St-Germain was launched in 2007 by Cooper Spirits Co, a company founded 2006 and headquartered in New York.
Place your sugar and freshly squeezed lime into a shaker and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Pour in your St‑Germain elderflower liqueur and white rum. Add ice into your shaker and shake vigorously until the drink is nicely chilled.
Germain is an elderflower liqueur. There are a number of others on the market, including the Pür Blossom Elderflower liqueur, Cote Jolie, Bitter Truth, and more. I know several people that have told me that they prefer the Pür brand to St. Germain, though I haven't tried it and of course your taste my differ.
St Germain Liqueur features a subtle yet delicate flavor, a fresh, quality taste and notes of peach, pear and grapefruit that are enhanced by the endless charm of the elderflower.
Germain is a French liqueur made with fresh elderflowers, handpicked once a year in the late spring. As the world's first, finely crafted all-natural elderflower liqueur, its flavour is as subtle and delicate as it is captivating, evidenced in its sublime notes of peach, pear, and grapefruit, yet none of them exactly.
Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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