Elderflower is a quintessential British summertime ingredient – its sweet, floral character lends itself to sweet and savoury recipes as well as drinks. Elderflower has a short season from late May to early June, so use it to create our spring/summer recipes while you can. For more seasonal fruit ideas, also check out our gooseberry recipes.

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Easy elderflower recipes

Elderflower cordial

Make the most of the short elderflower season by making this fresh cordial – serve it with sparkling water, mix with gin over ice or toss with fruit for a salad.

Elderflower cordial in a bottle as well as two glasses

Elderflower, thyme and lemon ice lollies

If you're after an elderflower cordial recipe, follow this and just reduce the water to 750ml, then strain into sterilised jars. Otherwise, use your cream-coloured blooms to make these grown-up ice lollies.

Lemon Ice Lolly Recipe With Thyme and Elderflower

Easter lemon and elderflower almond cake

Serve up a pretty, seasonal bake this Easter with elderflower cordial soaked almond sponges, creamy lemon curd filling and edible flowers to decorate.

Lemon and elderflower layer cake topped with icing and edible flowers

Elderflower and raspberry mocktail

This elderflower and raspberry mocktail is a refreshing soft drink for a hot day, and means the designated driver doesn't have to miss out on the fun. Bottle it up and take it to a picnic.

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elderflower mocktails

Elderflower drizzle cake with gooseberry and almond

Make the most of the British summer larder in this comforting cake, finished with a sweet and subtly floral elderflower drizzle.

Gooseberry and Almond Cake Recipe with Elderflower Drizzle

Elderflower-cured mackerel with tomato consommé

This recipe for elderflower-cured mackerel with tomato consommé comes from Bulrush in Bristol, and makes an easy but impressive starter.

Cured Mackerel Recipe With Tomato Consommé

Elderflower ice cream

Valentine Warner's elderflower ice cream is light, aromatic and calls for only five ingredients. You can use homemade elderflower cordial, but a shop-bought variety will work perfectly too.

Valentine Warner's Elderflower Ice Cream Recipe

Elderflower and kiwi pavlova

Pair floral elderflower with juicy kiwi in this impressive but easy-to-make dessert, ideal for a summer dinner party.

Elderflower and Kiwi Pavlova Recipe

Chilled, mulled elderflower wine

This elderflower-spiked chilled mulled wine makes a great alternative drink for the festive season. That said, thanks to its fresh, juicy flavour, it'd be great in summer, too. Plus, it's really easy to make.

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Mulled Wine with Elderflower Recipe

Elderflower, gooseberry and vanilla fools

Elderflower stars in these fruity, creamy puds. They're easy, individually portioned dinner party desserts that can handily be made ahead.

Elderflower gooseberry fool

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