Elderflower Mulled Apple Cider

Delicious, mulled apple cider with a floral addition of American elderflowers is sure to become your newest autumn tradition!

Fall is the time of year where mulled apple cider is a must have! Whether it's with your family while tucked up by the fireplace or bundled up on a hayride, enjoying the crisp, cool air. You can find a hot apple cider at most pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms. 'Spice' it up this season and try your hand with an elderflower mulled apple cider. We think the family will fall in love.

I will share with you two different ways to make this recipe, both using products available in our store. You'll learn to make an elderflower mulled apple cider with freeze-dried elderflowers or our American Elderflower Cordial. The flavor profiles will be about the same, but if you use the freeze-dried elderflowers, you can better control the sweetness of the cider.

American Elderflower Cordial

If you didn't know, American elderflowers can very quickly lose their important nutrients and qualities after being harvested. Here on our farm, we harvest the flowers from the field then process them and freeze within a matter of hours. By then freeze-drying them after being frozen, we are able to keep those valuable nutrients present. The freeze-dried American elderflowers we sell are often used to make into teas, to bake with or to make elderflower syrup.

Freeze-Dried American Elderflowers

Our American Elderflower Cordial is made with the frozen elderflowers. We have added lemon and cane sugar to deliver a floral, sweet and delicate taste. You would add 1-2 tablespoons of the cordial to any type of beverage, like tea or sparkling water. Using it in this recipe eliminates the need to add any sweetener to your mulled cider.

Fresh American Elderflowers

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Mulled Elderflower Apple Cider made with Freeze-Dried Elderflowers

Makes around 1 gallon.

You'll Need

• 1 gallon apple juice

• Mulling spices: typically include one or more of cinnamon, star anise, cloves, orange zest or nutmeg

• 3.5 grams (1/2 package) of freeze-dried American elderflowers

• Muslin bag for spices and flowers, or a fine mesh strainer to strain after mulling

• Optional sweetener of maple syrup or honey

• Optional peeled/sliced apples, oranges or lemons

First, if you are using a muslin bag: add the mulling spices and elderflowers inside the bag. If you aren't, you can add them all directly in your cooking pot. Once your spices are in the pot, add the apple juice and sliced fruit (optional). Simmer or gently heat for around 45 minutes. Once you've reached the desired flavoring, turn off heat and remove the spices and elderflowers. You can choose to leave in or discard the sliced fruit. Add sweetener if desired per glass. Serve warm or let cool and serve over ice.

Variations

Skip the mulling spices and just get a gallon of apple cider already made. If you can find the local stuff, it's always the best!

I know hot toddies are made from tea, but I recommend swapping it out for this elderflower apple cider. Serve it warm with your favorite bourbon, but make sure you are of legal age.

Have some freeze-dried elderberries or American elderberry juice? Toss some of that in too!

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Elderflower Cordial

Mulled Elderflower Apple Cider made with American Elderflower Cordial

You'll use the same ingredients as above, omit the freeze-dried flowers though. Follow the same directions on cooking except wait until the last 10 minutes of your cooking process to add in American Elderflower Cordial. Per gallon of apple juice, add 1/2 to a full bottle of cordial to your pot. Stir and heat for another 10 minutes, then serve.

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I hope you enjoy the tastes of American elderflower this season! While June is when they flower here in the Midwest, we are able to enjoy them year-round. For more recipes be sure to visit our Recipes or Blog pages here on our website.

Looking for more seasonal recipes? We have those! Give our Elderberry Roasted Butternut Squash or Elderberry Bruschetta blog posts a read today. Or learn to make an Elderberry Mulled Apple Cider!

Until next time, cheers to your health!

Heather

I am Heather Wilson, of the River Hills Harvest crew. By being part of the company, I am blessed to have access to American elderberries in all forms. I enjoy experimenting with new ways to incorporate them into my diet, as well as other natural plants, berries and more. I have a background in greenhouse management as well as floral design and am involved in the art community as an artist, when time allows. I enjoy playing guitar and writing songs. I also enjoy wandering in nature with no real purpose, because a purpose always presents itself. It’s a busy life, but one that I love and feel lucky to be a part of.