Home » Cuisine » Elderflower Cider: Can’t find it? Make It at Home, Two Ways

Elderflower Cider: Can’t find it? Make It at Home, Two Ways

Elderflower cider is a lightly flavored, refreshing drink, but very difficult (if not impossible) to find in the US. Have no fear, I’ve discovered a way to make Elderflower cider, two different ways!

Elderflower cider

When I flew to Scotland to help move my daughter to St. Andrews for her study abroad program a few years ago, I took her out for dinner one evening at Deacon Brody’s in Edinburgh. 

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Deacon Brodie's Tavern Edinburgh Pub

We had some lovely Cullen skink, Scotch broth and chips, but the most memorable thing about our meal was the cider that Denisa ordered. It was Thistly Cross elderflower cider. We both loved it!

Thistly Cross Cider

We loved it enough to take a picture of the bottle! Alas, there’s no Thistly Cross to be found in the US. However, the other day I came across a bottle of Belvoir elderflower syrup and realized I had hard cider so I experimented and was so happy with my first try! 

Belvoir elderflower cordial/syrup

Elderflower Cider using Elderflower Cordial/Syrup

Just add one or two tablespoons of the elderflower cordial to a large glass (depending on how strong you want the flavor of elderflower). 

making elderflower cider at home

Add ice if desired (my cider was warm and it was a super hot day, so I did add some ice, which I usually don’t do). Then pour in your favorite hard cider and stir.

making elderflower cider at home

That’s it! It’s wonderful on a hot day!

Elderflower cider

Elderflower Cider using San Germain Liqueur

The other option is to use San Germain elderflower liqueur in your cider. I wouldn’t add ice to this version, but do use a cold cider. Add one to two tablespoons (we’ll avert our eyes if you want to add more) of the liqueur and stir. 

Here’s a similarly flavored Hugo spritz for you to try, too!

hugo spritz with aperitivo

I  hope you enjoy this elderflower cider as much as my daughter and I do, and if you give it a try, let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Elderflower cider

Elderflower Cider: Can't find it? Make It at Home, Two Ways

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 1 minute
Total Time: 1 minute

A homemade/copycat version of Thistly Cross elderflower flavored cider from Scotland.

Ingredients

  • 1 or 2 Tbsp elderflower cordial or San Germain liqueur
  • 1 bottle hard apple cider

Instructions

  1. Add the cordial or liqueur to a glass.
  2. Add the cider and stir.

Notes

You can do this with apple juice, too! Kids will love the sweetness of the elderflower.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 231Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 13mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 1gSugar: 37gProtein: 0g

Nutrition ingredients are not valid due to the variance of ingredients.

Did you make this recipe?

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If you’re lucky enough to be able to source elderflower, here’s a recipe for rhubarb, rose and elderflower jellies from Janice at Farmer Girl’s Kitchen in Scotland!

PIN FOR LATER

elderflower cider

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19 Comments

  1. We have loads of brands of elderberry syrup here in this part of Australia, including Belvoir. We also have someone local who makes her own from elderberries that she grows. Also lucky enough to live near a fantastic Cidery, so pretty excited to try this.

  2. Hi all,

    If you live in Australia, you will find the belvoir elderflower cordial in your local safeway supermarket for $6.00

  3. Thanks for the info about elderflower syrup! While I don’t like cider (or any bubbly drink, save an occasional Venetian spritz), I can think of all sorts of uses for this! Love Saint Germain (and it’s bottle!), too!

  4. This looks so refreshing. And it has a lovely color as well. Just the thing for sipping on the back porch if you don’t have a local pub to go to…

  5. I get my Elderflower syrup on Amazon. I tried 2 different brands and both are delicious! I just pour mine over ice & add cold water for a refreshing summer drink.