Elderflower tea is a light, floral herbal infusion made by steeping fresh or dried elderflowers in hot water for 5-10 minutes. It is caffeine-free and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Traditionally, elderflower tea has been used for colds, flu and seasonal allergies.
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What does elderflower tea taste like?
To me, elderflower tea tastes of an English summer! It is a delicious and very refreshing herbal tea. Elderflower blossom has a unique fruity, floral green flavour. It has a slight natural sweetness, with a citrussy tang. Some people have compared it to the taste of lychees.
An infusion of fresh flowers is the best way to capture the delicate taste of elder blossom, but dried flowers are a convenient alternative.
Elderflower tea benefits
Elderflower tea has been used traditionally by herbalists for many years for a wide range of conditions, including colds and flu, sinus problems and allergies such as hayfever.
However, whilst there's currently little modern evidence for these benefits, it is known to be a good source of antioxidants including vitamin C. And because elderflower tea is naturally caffeine-free, you can drink it as a relaxing bedtime tea.
How to pick elderflowers
I love foraging, and find it very satisfying! It's a tradition that goes back thousands of years, and makes me feel connected to nature. And of course, you can forage ingredients for free!
In late May and June in the UK, the frothy, creamy white elderflowers are widely available in the countryside. Elder (Sambucus nigra) is a very common shrub which grows in woodland and along hedgerows. Elderflowers have a very distinctive smell, like elderflower cordial.
If you are foraging elderflowers from the wild, please do make sure you use a good field guide to identify the plant correctly. This is very important as there are several other plants with creamy white heads which are poisonous, including hemlock!
The woodland trust has a good guide to the British elder.
Make you that you pick your flowers away from heavy traffic, so that they are clean. It's best to collect them in the morning on a dry sunny day. Pick the flowers that are fully open but not yet turning brown. They'll go limp quickly, so use them straight away unless you are intending to dry them.
I sometimes store them for a few hours in a glass of water, but the flowers will drop quite quickly.
Later in the year, the elderflowers will turn into elderberries, hence the alternative name of elderberry flower tea. So make sure that you only pick a few flowers from each bush.
You can make a quick and easy elderberry cordial with the deep purple berries. Stash some of the berries in the freezer so you can make it throughout the winter months.
Ingredients
All you need for this herbal tea is one or two elderflower heads and some hot water. If you want to use dried elderflowers out of season, you'll need a tablespoon of flowers for 2 servings.
How to make elderflower tea
Elderflower tea is quick and easy to make, and takes no longer than using a tea bag.
I prefer not to wash fresh elderflowers, as it'll wash off the pollen which removes some of the flavour. But do give them a good shake to make sure there's no insects lurking in the fragrant heads.
Then remove the flower heads from the stems and discard the stalks. It's important that neither leaves nor stalks end up in the tea as they can cause an upset stomach. They also spoil the tea as they taste quite bitter.
Place the flower heads in a pot or jug that can withstand hot water. Add 400ml just boiled water. It's best to allow the water to come off the boil to preserve the antioxidants in the elderflowers. Leave to brew for 5 or 10 minutes, strain and enjoy.
How to make tea with dried elderflowers
To make elderflower tea with dried elderflowers, add a tablespoon of dried flowers to the pot and infuse and strain as above.
Dried elderflowers are ideal when elderflowers are out of season, as they are available year-round, and they are very convenient. They are widely available online.
Alternatively, you can dry your own elderflowers. Spread the blossom out on a tray in a single layer. Leave to dry for about a week in a warm shaded area. I usually put them in the airing cupboard. It's best not to dry them in the sun as they'll lose some of their fragrance and flavour.
You'll be able to tell when the elderflowers are fully dry as they'll feel papery and crumbly. Remove and discard the stems, and store the dried elderflowers in an airtight jar.
Serving
Enjoy elderberry flower tea as it comes, or sweeten with a little honey. You could also add a squeeze of lemon if you like.
Variations
If you enjoy green tea, you could brew a mix of green tea and elderflower. The flavours go well together.
Elderflower and camomile is also a good combination, and makes a lovely relaxing evening tea.
Iced elderflower tea recipe
If you'd prefer a cold drink, try iced elderflower tea. Leave the tea to cool, and add a slice of lemon. You can brew it a little stronger if you prefer by doubling the flowers in the pot, as chilled tea has a milder flavour.
Sweeten to taste with honey, and serve over ice. You can also add a sprig of mint.
Iced elderflower tea is a healthier alternative to other cold elderflower drinks as it is free from sugar. It is also quick and easy to make. The flavour is lighter and more subtle, and less overpoweringly sweet.
You might also like this refreshing iced rooibos tea.
FAQs
No, elderflower blossom is naturally caffeine free. So you can enjoy a relaxing cuppa at any time of the day, including before bed.
Yes, elderflower tea is safe to drink. However, it is important to make your tea with only the creamy white flowers, removing all of the leaves and the thick stems, as these can cause an upset tummy. There is some evidence that elderflower tea can reduce blood sugar, so diabetics may need to monitor their blood sugar levels.
Elderberry flower tea is a great way to enjoy the benefits of elderflower. Many elderflower drinks are loaded with sugar, whereas this tea has no added sugar. It's also virtually calorie free. Elderflowers are high in antioxidants, and have traditionally been used in herbal medicine.
Other foraged herbal teas you might like
These healthy drinks are all sugar-free, and made with nutritious ingredients.
If you enjoy foraging, or have a few herbs (or weeds!) in the garden, you can make wild nettle and mint tea, strawberry leaf tea or rosehip tea for free. Or try this quick elderberry cordial.
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Recipe
How to Make Elderflower Tea (Fresh or Dried)
Equipment
- 1 teapot or heat resistant jug
Ingredients
- 2 elderflower heads or 1 tablespoon of dried elderflowers
- 400 ml just boiled water
Instructions
- Shake the elderflowers to ensure there are no insects trapped in the flowers. Remove the stems and discard.
- Add the elderflowers to a heat resistant jug or teapot. Pour over 400ml just boiled water.
- Leave to brew for 10 minutes and strain.
Notes
- If you are foraging for wild elderflowers, use a good field guide to identify the right plant
- Remove all leaves and stalks before making elderflower tea, as they can cause an upset stomach and will make the tea taste bitter
- If preferred, you can sweeten the tea with a small amount of honey
- Elderflower tea can also be served chilled. You might like to brew it a little stronger as chilled drinks have a milder flavour
Brendan Rose says
Thanks very helpfull
Kristin says
A lovely idea, very summery.