Elderflower Extract

With just a handful of fresh elderflower umbels and some bourbon, you can capture the taste of these summer flowers all year ’round by making your own elderflower extract.

This is less of a recipe and more of a ratio – simply gather as many fresh elderflower umbels as you are lucky enough to get your hands on, and cover them in alcohol.

You’ll want to give the flowers a little rinse first (they’re likely to have little bugs on them), then pat dry. Cut or pop off the flowers so you end up with as little stem as possible. Place flowers in a clean glass jar. Pour bourbon or vodka on top of the flowers, being sure to cover them completely with alcohol. Put a lid on, give the jar a good shake, and store in a cool dark cupboard.

Allow flowers to infuse into the alcohol for 4-6 weeks. Check on your jar every other day or so, giving it another shake. After at least 4 weeks, strain the mixture, discarding the flowers.

You now have a lovely elderflower extraction! Use it to infuse cakes, frostings, sauces, and cocktails with the delightful scent of fresh elderflowers.

My favorite way to use this extract is to make Elderflower Buttercream, which is great on either vanilla or chocolate cake. It also works to add a subtle floral touch to Dandelion Buttercream.

Enjoy!