In case you have never tried elderberry lemonade/drink/juice, run to the closest IKEA store! Haha. In the section with typical Swedish products, there is definitely
some of this delicious beverage.
Without doubts, the best is home made, so let's try making one ourselves.
The good thing about elderberry trees, they might grow at any place. Look around, maybe there is one on your way to work :)
So here is how the tree look:
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Elderberry tree is the one on the right side with white flowers |
And for this drink we need to collect those white springs. Here is a good picture from
Wikipedia:
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Complex branches of the inflorescences
ATTENTION: If you are not 100% sure that the tree is elderberry (to be precise Sambucus nigra), do not use the flowers!
When you have done all the research and/or asked people, who have more knowledge in botanics, collect 40 of those pretty inflorescences. And start making lemonade according to the directions below. You gonna love it as much as I or any other Swede do :) Cheers!
Ingredients:
- 40 inflorescences of elderberry
- 2 kg of caster sugar
- 2 litres of water
- 50 g lemon acid
- 2 lemons (3 for more acidic drink)
Procedure:
- Rinse flowers and cut the straws, leaving as less as possible.
- Sprinkle lemon acid on them.
- Slice lemon and place on top of the flowers.
- Heat water to simmering and add sugar. Mix and bring to boil.
- Pour the sugar syrup over flowers
- Close the lid and keep in cold dark place for 3-5 days.
- Sieve and pour in bottles for easier usage,
- Serve the drink mixing with water to taste. My favorite rate is 2 portions of water and 1 portion of elderberry "juice".
Estimated preparation time: 20 minutes
Estimated cooking time: 3-5 days
Note: When serving shake with ice or just put couple of cubes inside of the glass along with a twisted lemon slice.
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