What is elderflower soda?

Elderflower soda is a sweet, floral flavored soda made from the flowers of the elderberry bush. It has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to more mainstream sodas. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what exactly elderflower soda is, its history and origins, how it’s made, its flavor profile, health benefits, and some popular brands and options for trying it yourself.

What is Elderflower?

Elderflower refers to the clusters of tiny white flowers that grow on European elderberry bushes (Sambucus nigra). These flowers have been used for centuries in food and medicine. The ancient Egyptians used elderflowers to heal burns, while in medieval Europe they were commonly made into teas, wines, and cordials. The elderflower has a sweet, delicate, perfumed flavor with hints of lychee and musk – it’s no wonder it has been prized for culinary uses.

Where Do Elderflowers Come From?

Elderflowers are native to Europe, Southwest Asia, and North Africa. Some of the countries where elderberry bushes and their flowers commonly grow include:

England
Denmark

Germany
Austria
Hungary

Sweden
Bulgaria
Serbia

Czechia
Switzerland

The plants thrive best in damp, partially sunny conditions. Elderflower season is quite short – the blooms appear for just 2-3 weeks in late spring/early summer. So elderflowers must be harvested promptly before they lose their intense aroma and flavor.

Uses of Elderflowers

Some popular uses of elderflowers include:

Making elderflower sodas, juices, and cordials
Flavoring jams, jellies, and syrups

Infusing in tea, lemonade, and cocktails
Making elderflower wine
Baking elderflower cakes, cookies, and pastries

As garnish for desserts

The elderflower’s subtle, honeyed sweetness pairs well with fruits like peach, pear, and lemon. When transformed into sodas and drinks, the floral aroma shines through.

History of Elderflower Soda

While elderflowers have long been used in drinks, commercially produced elderflower sodas are relatively new. Some key events in the history of elderflower soda include:

1644 – First written elderflower soda recipe appears in John Parkinson’s Theatrum Botanicum, made by infusing elderflower in water with lemon and sugar.
Early 1800s – Elderflower is commonly infused in water with carbonation to create refreshing drinks in England.
1870s – Commercial elderflower sodas first sold in England.

2005 – St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur introduced in Europe, sparking new interest in elderflower flavors.
2007 – Fentimans launches the first mass-produced elderflower soda.
2010s – Dozens of artisanal elderflower soda brands launch, and elderflower soda gains popularity worldwide.

So while elderflower has been enjoyed for centuries, commercially bottled elderflower sodas are relatively new. The increasing appetite for unique flavors and artisanal products has fueled its rise today.

How is Elderflower Soda Made?

There are a few key steps to making elderflower soda:

Harvest elderflowers – Elderflowers are hand-picked in the early summer when they are freshly in bloom.

Create elderflower syrup – The flowers are infused into hot water with lemon and sugar to extract maximum flavor.
Combine with soda water – The elderflower syrup is mixed with carbonated soda water for the bubbly, refreshing finish.
Bottle – The finished soda is bottled hot to preserve carbonation and freshness.

Some soda makers also add accents like lemon, lime, peach, or mint to complement the elderflower’s flavor. The amounts of elderflower syrup, sugar, and soda water can be adjusted to create different levels of sweetness and intensity of elderflower flavor.

Key Ingredients in Elderflower Soda

Here are the primary ingredients found in elderflower sodas:

Ingredient	Role
Elderflowers	Provides the characteristic floral, honeyed flavor
Water	Extracts flavor from the elderflowers
Sugar	Sweetens the soda naturally
Lemon Juice	Adds a citrusy note that complements the flowers
Soda water	Carbonates and dilutes to make a bubbly soda

The elderflower itself is clearly the star ingredient. High quality elderflower syrup made from fresh, natural elderflowers is key to an authentic elderflower soda flavor.

Elderflower Soda Flavor Profile

So what does elderflower soda actually taste like? The flavor could be described as:

Floral – The predominant flavor is a delicate, perfumed floral note from the elderflowers.
Honeyed – There is a sweetness reminiscent of honey or honeysuckle.

Citrusy – Hints of lemon zest brighten the flavor.
Musky – A musky, tangy undertone rounds out the flavor.
Sweet-tart – Elderflower sodas strike a balance between syrupy sweetness and bright acidity.

Effervescent – The crisp bubbles provide a refreshing lift.

It’s a complex but subtle flavor profile – not overly perfumey or floral. The sweet yet tart citrus notes prevent it from being cloying. The carbonation makes it easy and thirst-quenching to drink.

Health Benefits of Elderflower Soda

While soda is not typically considered the healthiest beverage option, elderflower soda has some potential upsides compared to mainstream sodas:

Lower in sugar – Elderflower sodas contain around 20-30g of sugar per bottle, versus 35-40g in colas.
Real fruit ingredients – The elderflower and lemon are real fruit ingredients, not artificial flavorings.
Natural diuretic – Flowers have mild diuretic effects to reduce water retention.

Bioactive compounds – Elderflowers contain polyphenols that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.

However, elderflower sodas are still sodas at heart. For the healthiest option, diluting with extra sparkling water and limiting intake is wise.

Sugar and Calorie Content

The sugar content in 8.5oz (250mL) servings of popular sodas:

Soda	Total Sugar (g)	Calories
Coca Cola	39	140
Pepsi	41	150
Schweppes Elderflower Soda	32	132
Fentimans Elderflower Soda	24	100
Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic	32	112

While not sugar-free, elderflower sodas do contain less sugar than traditional colas and lemon-limes. The calories are slightly lower as well.

Popular Brands of Elderflower Soda

Some top brands producing elderflower sodas today include:

Fentimans

Fentimans offers a classic floral elderflower soda, as well as unique flavors like cherry-infused elderflower and lemongrass & ginger elderflower sodas. Products are made with cane sugar and natural ingredients.

Belvoir

This UK brand’s Elderflower Pressé blend won Great Taste Awards in 2015. They use elderflowers from the Lincolnshire Wolds. Belvoir also makes an Elderflower Lemonade with Sicilian lemons.

Bottlegreen

Bottlegreen handpicks elderflowers in North Yorkshire to create their Sparkling Elderflower Presse. They also have a Pomegranate & Elderflower flavor.

Fever Tree

Fever Tree is known for mixers, but also produces an Elderflower Tonic Water blending elderflower, lemon, and quinine. It pairs well with gin cocktails.

Reed’s

Reed’s crafts an elderflower soda sweetened with stevia and made with ginger, lemon, and honey. A sugar-free, low-calorie option.

San Pellegrino

San Pellegrino Essenza Flavored Soda collection includes an Elderflower & Lemon option with a subtle floral aroma and tart lemon brightness.

Schweppes

The classic beverage brand Schweppes sells an elderflower soda made with elderflower extract and natural lemon flavoring.

There are also many small-batch artisanal elderflower soda producers to try. Look for local elderflower soda options at farmer’s markets or specialty food shops.

How to Make Your Own Elderflower Soda

You can also easily make elderflower soda at home with just a few ingredients:

Ingredients

20 elderflower heads

4 cups water
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup organic cane sugar or honey

Soda water or sparkling water
Flavors like mint, peach, strawberry, etc. (optional)

Instructions

Rinse elderflowers and place in a saucepan with water. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat. Once cooled, strain through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.
Stir in lemon juice and sweetener until dissolved. Refrigerate until chilled.
To serve, stir 3-4 tablespoons syrup into 6-8oz chilled soda water. Add ice and garnish.

Get creative with additional flavorings like fresh mint or fruit purees if desired!

Store extra elderflower syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Shake before using.

How to Use Elderflower Soda

A few tasty ways to use elderflower soda:

Drink on its own over ice. Garnish with lime, mint, or edible flowers.
Mix with vodka, gin, or rum for festive cocktails.
Blend into smoothies for a floral twist.

Mix with fresh juice like apple juice or grapefruit juice.
Splash into sparkling wine or champagne.
Use in place of plain soda water in mocktails.

Stir into lemonade or iced tea.
Drizzle over fruit salads or ice cream sundaes.

Elderflower soda’s versatility lets you enjoy its delicate floral flavor in many ways.

Where to Buy Elderflower Soda

Elderflower soda is getting much easier to find these days at mainstream grocery stores, specialty markets, and online:

Large supermarkets – Brands like Fentimans, Fever Tree, and San Pellegrino are often stocked in soda aisles.
Health food stores – Natural grocers may carry a selection of artisanal elderflower sodas.

Beer and wine shops – They frequently stock elderflower sodas as drink mixers.
Online – A wide variety can be ordered online and shipped from sites like Amazon.
Specialty markets – British import stores or Scandinavian markets may have unique imported elderflower soda options.

You can also find elderflower syrups and concentrates to DIY your own sodas at home. Buy elderflowers fresh in season from farmer’s markets when possible.

Elderflower Soda Recipes

Some delicious ways to use elderflower soda:

Elderflower Mojito

2 oz white rum

1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz elderflower soda
5 fresh mint leaves

2 oz soda water

Muddle mint leaves with lime juice. Add rum and elderflower soda. Top with soda water. Garnish with lime wedge.

Elderflower Fizz

1 1/2 oz gin

1 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 oz elderflower soda

Lemon twist

Shake gin, St. Germain, and lemon juice with ice. Strain into glass over ice. Top with elderflower soda. Garnish with lemon twist.

Elderflower & Peach Smoothie

1 cup frozen peach slices

1 banana
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup elderflower soda

2 tbsp honey

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Conclusion

Elderflower soda offers a sweet, floral twist on traditional soda. Its origins lie in medieval Europe, but this delicate drink is gaining modern appeal across the globe. Made from real elderflowers, it provides subtly perfumed flavor along with potential health bonuses. Major brands like Fentimans and Fever Tree offer elderflower sodas alongside artisanal selections. With its versatility as a drink mixer and its refreshing effervescence, elderflower soda offers a fragrant new way to hydrate or celebrate.