Go Back
Glass of elderflower cold brew concentrate over ice with a lemon slice and dried elderflower blossoms on a linen cloth

Elderflower Cold Brew with Floral Honey Notes

Cold-steeped coffee and dried elderflower blossoms combine into a smooth, floral concentrate ready in 12 hours.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: floral
Calories: 12
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cold Brew Concentrate
  • 85 g coarse-ground light roast coffee about 3/4 cup; grind just before steeping
  • 10 g dried food-grade elderflower blossoms about 3 tablespoons loosely packed
  • 700 ml filtered cold water about 3 cups
To Serve (per glass)
  • 120 ml cold water or oat milk for diluting concentrate 1:1
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • 1 piece lemon slice optional
  • 1 tsp light floral honey optional; acacia honey works well

Method
 

Combine and Steep
  1. Add the coarse-ground coffee and dried elderflower blossoms to the mason jar. Pour in the filtered cold water and stir gently for about 20 seconds until all the grounds are saturated.
  2. Seal the jar and place it in the fridge. Steep for exactly 12 hours. Set a timer - past 14 hours the elderflower note turns soapy.
Strain the Concentrate
  1. Set a fine-mesh sieve over a large measuring jug or bowl. Pour the steeped mixture through the sieve to catch the grounds and blossoms.
  2. Line the sieve with a paper coffee filter and pour the strained liquid through a second time. This removes fine particles and gives a clear, clean concentrate.
  3. Transfer the finished concentrate into a sealed glass jar and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve
  1. Fill a glass with ice. Pour 120 ml (about 4 oz) of concentrate over the ice, then add 120 ml of cold water or oat milk. Stir briefly.
  2. Add a lemon slice and a teaspoon of honey if you want a hint of sweetness. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use food-grade dried elderflower only - ornamental varieties are not safe to consume.
  • Grind coffee no finer than a coarse sea-salt texture to avoid cloudy, over-extracted concentrate.
  • Do not steep longer than 14 hours or the elderflower turns soapy and the batch is lost.
  • Filter twice if concentrate looks cloudy: once through a sieve, once through a paper coffee filter.
  • Dilute concentrate 1:1 with cold water or milk before serving unless you prefer it strong.