Lotions & Potions part 2 Elderflower drink

Elderflower (sambucus nigra) starts to appear in our hedgerows, gardens and woods from the end of May. In old folklore it is believed that to smell the blossoms of Elderflower on Midsummers eve would enable you to see the Fairy king & queen. The elder is an important tree to us herbalists, even being described as a whole medicine chest, as its flowers, berries, bark, root bark, leaves, shoots and seeds can be used. But in this workshop it is the flowers we are using. The flowers are very beneficial to anyone suffering from a cold or hayfever and they make a tasty drink. But drink the homemade drink within a few days or it starts to ferment and then turns into an alcoholic elderflower fizz! If you make too much, you can freeze the excess to have another time. The children put a few flower heads, shaken free of bugs, into their jars. Then they added lemon rind, lemon juice, sugar and apple cider vinegar (white wine vinegar can also be used). The mixture is stirred, then left for 24 hours. We strained some elderflower drink that I had made the day before and drank it. Delicious!