Elderflower liqueur ala Günthi

Ingredients for 1 servings:

• 4 liters of water
• 100 g citric acid, from the pharmacy
• 1 kg sugar
• 50 elderflower umbels, open
• 2 bottles of schnapps, clear/white

Instructions

Working time approx. 30 minutes; Rest period approx. 1 day; Total time approx. 1 day 30 minutes

Add the citric acid and the shaken-off 40-50 clusters of ripe, open elderflowers to the water. The nectar is at its strongest when the sun is high, which is also when it’s best to pick them. Let the whole thing steep, covered, in a cool place for 24-48 hours, then strain everything through a sieve or filter, or even through a linen cloth. You can repeat this process several times. Add 1 kg of sugar to the starter juice and dissolve it over a low heat, max. 50-60°C. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove the liquid from the heat. But don’t boil it! Then let the whole thing cool down again, add 2 bottles of clear/white liquor (korn or vodka), shake everything thoroughly, and the elderflower liqueur is ready to drink. The whole thing can also be bottled as elderflower syrup, without alcohol, and is good as a fresh drink diluted with water, or in apple tea to sweeten it.