Foraged Elderflower Sparkler

Lots of moms get flowers for Mothers' Day. I don't get a bouquet; I get foraged elderflowers. They definitely know me! We were leaving our hike yesterday morning and R spotted a series of elderflower bushes. "Mom, pull over!" he hollered.

Jake hopped out and plucked a few clusters.

R ran back to the original bush he had seen and grabbed two handfuls.

And D, ever the pragmatist, requested, "Mamma, can you please make something that we can actually have? You know - not elderflower liqueur!!" Okay. So I took my Mothers' Day elderflowers and made a simple syrup that we poured into sparkling water for a homemade elderflower sparkler. Cheers.

Ingredients

Elderflower Simple Syrup

2 C elderflower blooms, destemmed
1-1/2 C water
1-1/2 C organic granulated sugar

Sparkler

ice cubes
sparkling water

Procedure

Elderflower Simple Syrup

Place water and sugar in a medium sauce pan. Heat to a simmer, swirling until the sugar crystals are completely dissolved. Stir the flowers into the syrup and press down so that they are completely submerged. Remove from heat and let steep until the syrup is completely cooled.

Strain out the flowers and pour the syrup into a clean lidded jar. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Sparkler
Place ice cubes in serving glasses. Fill with sparkling water and top with desired amount of elderflower syrup. I use about a tablespoon; the boys like theirs more sweet.

You can do this same process with any edible flowers. It's a great way to sip along with the seasons. And if you want to make this an adult sparkler, you can mix the syrup with prosecco or champagne.

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