Easy Elderflower Lemonade (4 Ingredient Drink)
Looking for a summer drink that’s lighter than soda yet more exciting than plain lemonade? This elderflower lemonade recipe with its satisfying combination of delicate floral notes and tangy citrus flavors, is the essence of a summer beverage.
The fragrant elderflower syrup combined with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, delivers a subtly floral, tangy refresher you can mix in five minutes. Scroll on—or tap “Jump to Recipe” if you’re in a hurry to start squeezing.
Why It’s Worth Trying
- Light & floral – the elderflower’s perfume turns basic lemonade into a delicate café-worthy lemonade ready for picnics, grill nights, or a simple afternoon cool-down.
- Five-minute shortcut – store-bought elderflower syrup means no simmering or steeping. But you also have the option to make your own.
- Flexible sweetness – honey, maple, or zero-calorie blends all work.
- Still or sparkling – pour over seltzer for instant bubbles or keep it flat for kids.
And when you want variety, switch to a green tea lemonade or a sweet orange lemonade, or a cherry lemonade.
Ingredients at a Glance
- Elderflower syrup – 4 Tbsp for a 1-quart pitcher
- Fresh lemon juice – about 2–3 lemons
- Honey or sweetener of choice (agave syrup, granulated sugar, erythritol, stevia, xylitol or Monk fruit)
- Cold filtered water – still, sparkling or or unsweetened club soda
- Ice, lemon wheels, and a few elderflower sprigs for serving.
Exact quantities are in the printable recipe card:
Quick juicing tip: warm each lemon 10 seconds rolling it firmly on the counter; you’ll squeeze out up to 20 % more juice with the same effort.
How To Make An Elderflower Lemonade Step-by-Step
Step 1. Create The Lemonade Base
- In a pitcher combine 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/3 cup of honey (or granulated sugar).
- Stir the mixture until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
Step 2. Prepare the Elderflower Syrup
1st Option: Homemade Elderflower Infusion
To create an elderflower-infused syrup from scratch, follow these steps:
- In a saucepan, combine 2 cup of water and 3.5 cup of granulated sugar.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely, stirring occasionally.
- Add the elderflower blossoms to the syrup (you’ll need about 15 flower heads) and let it simmer gently for about 10 minutes.
- Add the juice of one organic lemon.
- Remove the syrup from heat and let it cool for 30 minutes.
- Transfer to a jar/bowl with a lid and let it steep at cool temperature for 48 hours, stirring the syrup once daily.
- Strain the syrup to remove the elderflower blossoms, and your elderflower syrup is ready to use.
2nd Option: Use a pre-made Elderflower Syrup
Alternatively, you can skip the infusion-making process by using a store-bought elderflower syrup or cordial.
Step 3. Incorporating Elderflower Syrup Into The Base
- Add the elderflower syrup (I’m using 4 tablespoons) to the lemonade base and stir well.
- Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness according to your preference by adding more honey/sugar or lemon juice. Since the elderflower syrup adds extra sweetness you may want to start with a lower amount of sweetner and gradually increase to your taste.
Step 4. Dilute
- Top with cold water (or half water / half seltzer), stir, and chill at least 30 minutes.
Step 5. Serve
- Fill tall glasses with ice, ladle in lemonade, and garnish with lemon and fresh elderflower blossoms (or whatever you have). Optionally use some dried rose buds for decoration.
Variations & Twists
- Sparkling version – replace half the still water with seltzer just before serving.
- Mint cooler – muddle six mint leaves in the pitcher for a garden-fresh hit.
- Berry burst – float sliced strawberries or raspberries (or peaches) for colour and extra antioxidants.
- Citrus Fusion: Mix in some orange or grapefruit juice along with the lemon juice to create a citrusy medley.
- Cocktail spin – add 1 oz gin, vodka, or elderflower liqueur like St-Germain, per glass. Or top the whole pitcher with 1 cup chilled prosecco for a party spritz. Garnish with a slice of lemon or a sprig of rosemary.
- Non-Alcoholic Fruity Elderflower Spritzer: add a splash of pineapple or grapefruit juice, a squeeze of lime, and finish with cucumber and mint.
- Low-sugar route – swap honey for 3 Tbsp monk-fruit or erythritol blend dissolved in a splash of warm water.
Pair It With
- Grilled shrimp skewers or a shrimp cabbage salad – the drink’s floral citrus notes cut through smoky seafood.
- Crisp summer salad – greens, fruit, light vinaigrette or this Cucumber Mango Avocado Salad and Zesty Watermelon Radish Salad.
- Peach Crisp with Oats or Strawberry Crisp – floral lemonade balances a warm, sweet dessert. Or dessers like berry tarts and lemon bars.
FAQs
Yes. Simmer 2 Tbsp dried flowers in 1 cup water with ½ cup sugar for 10 minutes, cool, strain, and use as the syrup.
If you don’t have elderflower syrup on hand, there are a few alternatives you can use to replicate the flavor: elderflower cordial, elderflower tea (concentrated) or elderflower extract will mimic the flavour.
Covered in the fridge up to three days. Give it a quick stir—syrup and juice settle naturally.
Sure. Build each glass individually: 3 Tbsp syrup, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, sweetener to taste, then top with chilled club soda.
Easy Elderflower Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp elderflower syrup - or cordial
- ½ cup lemon juice - freshly squeezed
- ⅓ cup honey - or preferred sweetener
- 3 cups cold filtered water - still or sparkling
Additional For Serving
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2 lemon slices - garnish
- 1-2 fresh elderflower sprigs - or other blossoms
Instructions
Make The Lemonade Base
- In a 1-quart pitcher combine lemon juice and honey; stir until the honey dissolves.
Add The Elderflower Syrup
- Add elderflower syrup (1/4 cup), taste, and adjust if you want more. Since the elderflower syrup adds extra sweetness you may want to start with a lower amount of sweetner and gradually increase to your taste.
Dilute
- Pour in cold water, stir, and chill 30 minutes.
Garnish in Serve
- Serve over ice, garnished with lemon wheels and fresh blossoms.
Notes
Variations
Sparkling version, mint cooler, berry burst, cocktail spritz, low-sugar option (see post for details).Make it sparkling without dilution
Build each glass individually: 3 Tbsp syrup, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, sweetener to taste, then top with chilled club soda or sparkling water.Storage
Refrigerate up to 3 days; stir before pouring.Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
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