Elderflower Cordial

## Elderflower Cordial

The elder tree (*Sambucus nigra*) has been called the medicine chest of the country people, and its creamy, fragrant flower heads — appearing in late May and June — are one of the great gifts of the hedgerow. Making elderflower cordial is a way of bottling the very essence of Beltane and early summer, preserving the scent of warm evenings and buzzing hedgerows for months to come.

The elder has deep roots in British folklore. It was considered a tree of the Otherworld, sacred to the Elder Mother — a spirit who dwelt within the tree and who must be asked permission before any cutting. "Old girl, give me some of thy wood, and I will give thee some of mine when I grow into a tree," runs the traditional charm. Elder wood was never burned on the hearth, for fear of inviting the fairies in.

In this workshop, you will learn to identify elder in flower, understand the best time and conditions for picking (dry, warm afternoons when the pollen is heaviest), and prepare a simple cordial using sugar, water, lemons, and citric acid. We cover the importance of sustainable foraging — never stripping a tree bare, always leaving plenty for the birds and the elderberry harvest later in the year.

The resulting cordial is golden, intensely floral, and utterly unlike anything you can buy. Diluted with cold water, it is the taste of an English summer. Mixed with sparkling water and ice, it becomes a drink fit for the Seelie Court. We will also discuss variations: adding rose petals for a Midsummer blend, or fermenting with wild yeast to produce elderflower champagne.