At Boèmia, we live surrounded by plants. They inspire us, heal us, nourish us… and sometimes, they enchant us. There’s more to life than distillation! There’s also the art of picking at the right moment, preparing with care and savoring with awareness.
One of the rituals we look forward to when the warm weather returns is elderberry lemonade, also known as fairy champagneholds a very special place. It’s a fizzy, flowery, slightly sweet drink made from thespontaneous fermentation of fresh flowers. Simple magic in a jar.
And for Camille, pharmacist and mixologist at boemia, it’s one of spring’s favorite recipes.
Knowing and recognizing black elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Black elder is a common shrub in our countryside, often found at the edge of paths, in hedges or close to houses. It blooms generously in May-June, offering vast umbels of small, creamy-white flowers with a sweet, sometimes slightly lemony fragrance.
This medicinal plant has been used for centuries: flowers as an infusion against flu-like illnesses, berries for their antioxidant properties.
Once known as the “country pharmacy”, black elder(Sambucus nigra) was widely used in traditional medicine. And it’s no coincidence: its flowers contain valuable health-promoting active compounds such as flavonoids, mucilage and tannins.
Here’s what’s reliably and practically known about these flowers:
They promote perspiration: they were used during feverish episodes to “let the heat out”.
They support the respiratory tract: by increasing bronchial secretions, they help to thin mucus.
They are diuretic: perfect for a gentle drainage boost in spring.
Neuroprotective avenues are being explored, but are still exploratory.
But today, it’s their gourmet side that interests us!
🍋 Easy homemade elderberry lemonade recipe
All it takes to make homemade lemonade is a little patience and a good harvest. You make it on a sunny morning, when the flowers are full of pollen and visited by a few tiny insects. Come home with a spring bouquet under your arm, and off you go!
Natural ingredients :
10 to 15 fresh umbels of black elder flowers
2 liters ofspring water or filteredtap water
150 to 250 g brown sugar
2 organic lemons (yellow), sliced into rounds
1 large 3-litre glass jar or container
A clean cloth, a rubber band, then bottles with mechanical closures
By choosing organically grown ingredients and harvesting your elderflowers in a pollution-free environment, you can make your own organic lemonade!
Preparation steps :
Preparation steps :
Lightly clean the flowers(elderberry umbels), shaking to remove insects. Do not wash them to avoid losing the pollen.
Mix the water, sugar, lemon juice and vinegar in the jar.
Add the elderflowers, discarding the thick green stems.
Cover with a cloth held by a rubber band at the base.
Leave to macerate at room temperature (20-25°C) for 3 to 5 days. Stir once a day.Spontaneous fermentation begins: small bubbles rise to the surface.
When the smell becomes tangy and the taste slightly fizzy, filter the mixture.
Pour into airtight (lemonade-type) bottles, without filling to the brim. Store in a cool, dark place. After 2 to 5 days, your lemonade is ready. Serve yourself a chilled glass, and enjoy.
⚠️ Beware of explosion on opening: gas can build up quickly. Open the bottles every day at first to release the pressure of this fizzy drink.
Beware of confusion: Black Elder vs.
Picking black elderberry requires a minimum of vigilance. Confusion with the poisonous elderberry(Sambucus ebulus) can lead to serious digestive problems.
Here’s a simple chart to help you make the right choice:
| Criteria | Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) | Yellow elder (Sambucus ebulus) |
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Shrub (woody trunk) | Herbaceous (no wood, green stem) |
| Height | 3 to 6 m | 1 to 1.5 m |
| Elder flower | White, fragrant umbels | White umbels, unpleasant odor |
| Berries | Black, drooping, in clusters | Black, upright, more compact clusters |
| Growing area | Hedges, embankments, farms | Wet soils, ditches, wasteland |
| Flowering period | May to June | July to August |
Sparkling black elderberry lemonade is a fermented infusion of edible flowers, not berries. The latter arrive later, in late summer (August-September), and require a very different preparation. While black elderflowers can be eaten raw, as an infusion, in lemonade or fried into fritters, the berries should never be eaten raw.
Rich in interesting active compounds, black elderberries can be made into jelly, syrup or coulis (after cooking).
But beware: extra vigilance is required with berries, as confusion with elderberry is more common at this stage.
Organic elderberry lemonade and storage
Elderberry lemonade is best drunk chilled, in a clear glass to admire its light golden turbidity and fine bubbles. It’s a natural fizzy drink, and alcohol-free if you drink it quickly. After a few days, fermentation may continue: open with care!
Serve it at a spring picnic, a sunny brunch or simply at the end of the day, for a moment of plant poetry.
🌱 What if it's no longer the season?
Missed it this year? No problem.
At Boèmia, we offer other ways of drinking plants, all year round. Our French herbal infusions and hydrolats for diluting in a glass of water or adding to a natural cocktail are perfect for those who love rare, natural and refreshing drinks.
Yes, there are indoor air quality sensors (VOCs, particles, humidity) to visualize the impact of diffusion. Tools such as AirVisual, Foobot or Netatmo provide useful results.
FAQ - Everything you need to know about storing elderberry lemonade
How do you store elderberry lemonade once it's ready?
Once fermentation has begun and the beverage has been filtered, it’s time to bottle it in suitable containers. It’s best to choose hermetically sealed bottles with mechanical closures (such as lemonade bottles), which preserve the gas while ensuring safety.
🌡️ What is the ideal temperature for storing elderberry lemonade?
The ideal temperature for storing elderberry lemonade naturally is between 10 and 18°C. A cool, dark, ventilated place, such as an unheated cellar, storeroom or closet, is perfect for slowing down fermentation. Serve chilled for greater taste pleasure
💥 How to prevent hermetically sealed bottles from exploding?
This is a common question, as elderberry lemonade is a fermented fizzy drink. To avoid explosions, we recommend :
not to fill bottles to the brim,
release the gas once a day by carefully opening the cylinders for the first 2 or 3 days,
It’s a living process: vigilance is part of the adventure!
🧊 How long can you keep elderberry lemonade?
Homemade flower lemonade can be kept for several weeks, or even one or two months, as long as :
store bottles tightly closed with a cork,
keep them in a cool, sunny place,
check internal pressure regularly.
💬 Fancy trying this delicious flower infusion?
We hope this simple recipe will inspire you to take the plunge. Whether you prefer home cooking or a fairytale drink, elderberry sparkling wine is a wonderful gateway to a joyful, plant-based world.
