The elder tree has grown in British hedgerows since before recorded history. Its white blossom appears in early summer, delicate and fragrant, and its dark berries follow in autumn — both harvested for centuries by people who understood that their local landscape offered everything needed for a good life.

The tradition of making infusions from elderflower and elderberry is one of the oldest in the British folk herbal tradition. Long before the health food shop and the supplement aisle, families kept elder trees in the garden or knew where to find them in the lane. The flowers were made into cordials; the berries into syrups and drinks. This recipe brings both together in a simple warming infusion.

"The elder is the medicine chest of the country people." — An old English saying, recorded in the seventeenth century.

What You'll Need

How to Make It

  1. Bring the water to a gentle simmer in a small saucepan.
  2. Add the elderberries and cinnamon stick (if using) and simmer for 10 minutes. The water will turn a deep, beautiful crimson.
  3. Remove from the heat and add the elderflowers and lemon peel.
  4. Cover the pan and allow to steep for a further 10 minutes.
  5. Strain through a fine sieve or muslin cloth into a mug or heatproof jug.
  6. Stir in honey to taste.
  7. Serve warm, in a favourite mug, with a moment of quiet.

On Sourcing Your Elderflowers and Elderberries

If you're lucky enough to have access to elder trees — in a garden, allotment, or the countryside — fresh flowers and berries are wonderful to work with. Elderflowers are best used immediately after picking. Elderberries should always be cooked before consuming.

However, most people will use dried elderflowers and elderberries, which are widely available from health food shops, farm shops, and online. These work very well in this infusion and have the advantage of being available year-round, allowing you to make the drink even in the depths of winter when the hedgerows are bare.

Elderberry Syrup — A Variation

If you find you particularly enjoy the flavour of elderberry in this infusion, it's worth making a small batch of elderberry syrup to keep in the fridge. Simmer elderberries with water, honey, and spices for about 20–25 minutes, mash gently, strain, and bottle. A spoonful stirred into hot water makes a lovely simple drink throughout the winter season.

A Note on Tradition

There is something particularly grounding about working with plants that have been used in British kitchens for many hundreds of years. The elder tree has witnessed the building of churches, the coming and going of monarchs, the rise and fall of entire ways of life. Making a simple infusion from its flowers and berries connects you, however briefly, to an enormously long thread of human experience.

That is not nothing. In a world of constant newness, there is real value in the very old and very simple.

The best traditions survive not because they are enforced, but because they genuinely work.
Note: This article shares a traditional recipe for informational and cultural purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. Always ensure elderberries are properly prepared before consuming. If you have any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.