Forget the lemon, this addition will make elderberry syrup even better
Elderberry syrup is one of our favorite summer refreshments, taking us back to the carefree times of childhood adventures and the thirst quenched with this fragrant drink. If you want to spice up the classic recipe, you can add the aroma of fresh mint.
The correct choice of basic ingredients – elderflowers and mint leaves – is crucial.
It is important to pick the flowers in the morning when they are freshest and most fragrant. Choose flowers that are white, open and have a strong sweet scent. The size of the flowers also plays a role; larger and fuller flowers give a stronger aroma, but if you have smaller ones available, simply increase their number according to the recipe. However, it is essential to be careful when picking – inspect the flowers carefully, as they often contain tiny black insects, ants or aphids. You definitely don’t want these in your syrup, so take your time when picking and choose only completely clean flowers. Always pick these in dry weather and, if possible, away from asphalt roads.
Pay the same attention to the mint; use only clean and undamaged mint leaves. You can make the syrup from any type of mint, with peppermint providing the most flavor. You can also add a few sprigs of lemon balm if you like.
Once the ingredients are ready, we can get to the main part – preparing the syrup according to the Domacica.com recipe.
To prepare the syrup we need:
- 40 larger elderflowers
- 5 handfuls of fresh mint leaves (you can increase or decrease the amount)
- 3 l vode
- 3 kg of sugar (white or brown)
- 30 g citric acid
Preparation process:
Take a large pot and add water and sugar. The choice between white or brown sugar is yours; white gives a cleaner, classic flavor, while brown gives a slight caramel note. Place the pot on the heat and stir until all the sugar is completely dissolved. This usually takes a few minutes, the mixture does not need to be boiled for long.
Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the pot from the heat and let the liquid cool slightly – it should be lukewarm, not hot. Stir the citric acid into the lukewarm sugar solution. Then add the elderflowers and mint leaves. Stir until everything is well moistened. Cover the pot and let the mixture sit at room temperature for 24 hours to allow the flavors and aromas to blend well. This step is crucial for the syrup’s strong aroma.
Once the required 24 hours have passed and the aromas have developed optimally, the important step of filtration follows. The syrup mixture must be strained to remove all flowers, mint leaves and any small particles. The best way to achieve a completely clear syrup is to first strain the mixture through a thick strainer, then again through clean cheesecloth or cotton cloth. Straining through cheesecloth ensures a velvety smooth and visually appealing syrup.
Heat the strained liquid again, then pour it into clean and pre-sterilized bottles, taking care not to touch the inside of the bottle neck or the stopper with your hands or utensils to maintain sterility.
A key step for long shelf life: sterilizing bottles
Sterilizing bottles is essential for the long-term shelf life of the syrup and to prevent the development of unwanted microorganisms. A simple and effective way to sterilize is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 100 degrees Celsius. While the oven is heating, arrange the clean and washed bottles (without plastic parts) on the lowest rack of the oven. Leave them in the closed oven for about 10 minutes or until no more drops of water are visible on the inside of the bottles. A dry surface indicates that the water has evaporated and that the bottles are hot enough to kill most microorganisms. Carefully remove the bottles from the oven and immediately pour the syrup into them and close them.
Tips for storage and use
Your homemade elderberry-mint syrup is now ready to use. Stored in sterilized bottles in a cool, dark place, it will last for quite a while. Once you open the bottle, it is essential to keep the syrup in the refrigerator to maintain its quality and prevent spoilage.
Using the syrup is quite simple: mix it with regular or mineral water to your taste – more syrup for a sweeter and stronger drink, less for a milder taste. If desired, enrich the prepared drink with slices of fresh lemon and lime and a handful of fresh mint leaves. These additions really brighten up the drink and add that real summer refreshment. You can also use the syrup in other recipes or to sweeten tea, but if you are a big fan, simply increase the amounts of ingredients the next time you make it.
