A Fragrant And Refreshing Elderflower & Gin Sorbet Recipe

Light, floral & refreshing! This Elderflower & Gin Sorbet is the perfect botanical dessert, blending delicate elderflower with crisp gin for a fragrant spring treat.

Continuing our Spring flavours theme, we thought we’d share a delicious Elderflower and Gin Sorbet with you.

Elderflower is an often overlooked ingredient – once a staple in homemade cordials and traditional recipes, it seems to be used far less these days. Despite its delicate floral aroma and refreshing lightness, it’s often overlooked in favour of bolder flavours. Perhaps its associated too much with Elderberry which if not handled correctly, can be poisonous – more on this later in the article.

But for those who appreciate fragrant, botanical ingredients, elderflower offers something unique and elegant—a flavour that captures the very essence of spring.

I’ve always loved elderflower as a drink, whether as a classic cordial or infused into sparkling water for a light, refreshing twist. It always makes me feel healthier – whether that’s the actual benefits of its antioxidants or simply the fresh, floral taste tricking my brain, I’ll never know!

With its familiar floral scent and crisp, fresh flavour, elderflower has long been enjoyed as a drink. So why not take those delicate floral notes and transform them into a light, fragrant, and refreshing spring sorbet? And what better ingredient to pair it with than gin – another botanical-rich spirit that complements elderflower beautifully.

In this article, we’ll explore:
✔ The health benefits of elderflowers (and why elderberries are often mistaken for them!)
✔ Why elderflower & gin are a perfect pairing
✔ A simple, naturally vegan & dairy-free sorbet recipe
✔ Delicious dessert pairings to serve with this sorbet
✔ An important note on alcohol content

If you’d like to go straight to the recipe and method, use the following link, or read along to find out more.

Naturally Vegan & Dairy-Free

One of the great things about sorbets is that they are generally vegan and dairy-free, making it an excellent alternative to ice cream for those looking for a lighter, plant-based dessert.

Unlike ice cream or gelato, which rely on milk or cream for richness, sorbet gets its smooth texture purely from fruit, infused flavours, water, and a little sugar—keeping it refreshing, delicate, and perfectly balanced.

This Elderflower & Gin Sorbet is an elegant, floral twist on a classic sorbet, offering a cooling, palate-cleansing experience that’s both light and full of flavour.

The Health Benefits of Elderflowers

Elderflowers are more than just beautifully fragrant—they’re packed with health benefits that have been appreciated for centuries.

🌿 Rich in Antioxidants – Elderflowers contain flavonoids and polyphenols, which help fight oxidative stress and support overall well-being.
🌿 Supports the Immune System – Traditionally used in herbal medicine, elderflower has been known to help with cold and flu symptoms, thanks to its natural anti-inflammatory properties.
🌿 May Aid Digestion – Elderflower has been used to support healthy digestion, making this sorbet a light and soothing after-dinner treat.
🌿 Refreshing & Hydrating – Often found in cordials and herbal teas, elderflower is naturally cooling and perfect for spring and summer desserts.

💡 Important Note: Elderflowers are safe to consume, but elderberries—produced by the same plant—can be toxic when eaten raw. Always ensure elderflowers are correctly identified and prepared before use.

Why Elderflower & Gin Work So Well Together

Elderflower and gin is a match made in botanical heaven.

Here’s why:

🍸 Elderflower’s Floral Sweetness – Light, delicate, and slightly honeyed, elderflower softens and enhances the crispness of gin.
🍸 Gin’s Botanical Depth – Made from juniper berries, gin has a fragrant, herbal complexity that pairs beautifully with elderflower’s floral notes.
🍸 Refreshing & Balanced – The citrusy, slightly herbal flavour of gin keeps the sorbet from being overly sweet, making it incredibly refreshing and well-rounded.

The result? A sorbet that’s light, floral, and just a little indulgent—perfect for celebrating the fresh, delicate flavours of spring.

Elderflower & Gin Sorbet Recipe

Our Elderflower & Gin Sorbet is delicate, smooth, and subtly boozy – perfect for warm spring evenings or as an elegant dinner party dessert.

Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

• 250ml elderflower cordial (use a high-quality or homemade version for the best flavour)
• 150ml water
• 100g caster sugar (adjust to taste)
• Juice of 1 lemon/lime (for brightness, zing and balance)
• 75ml gin (adjust based on preference, see notes on alcohol content below)
• A pinch of salt (enhances depth of flavour)

Optional Garnish: Fresh elderflowers, lemon zest, or a drizzle of extra elderflower cordial

Step-by-Step Method

1. Make the Sugar Syrup
   • In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar over medium heat, stirring until dissolved.
   • Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
2. Mix the Sorbet Base
   • In a bowl, combine the elderflower cordial, lemon/lime juice, and a pinch of salt.
   • Stir in the cooled sugar syrup and gin, mixing well.
3. Chill the Mixture
   • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, allowing the flavours to develop fully.
4. Freeze the Sorbet
   • With an ice cream maker: Churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then freeze for another 1-2 hours.
   • Without an ice cream maker: Pour into a shallow dish and freeze for 1 hour, stirring every 30 minutes until smooth and scoopable (about 3-4 hours).
5. Serve & Enjoy!
   • Scoop into bowls or elegant cocktail glasses, garnishing with fresh elderflowers or a twist of lemon zest.

Nutritional Values (Per Serving, Approx. 1 Scoop)

• Calories: 135 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Sugars: 28g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Fibre: 0g | Alcohol Content: ~3-4% per serving

💡 Notes:
✔ If you prefer a less sweet sorbet, reduce the sugar slightly or use a low-sugar elderflower cordial.
✔ The alcohol content remains since the gin isn’t cooked off—so enjoy responsibly!
✔ For a softer texture, you can add a splash of glucose syrup or honey (note: honey makes it non-vegan).

👉🏽 Note: If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can still make this Elderflower and Gin recipe;

Simply pour your ice cream mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze. Every 30 minutes, stir the mixture vigorously with a fork to break up ice crystals, repeating this process for about 3-4 hours or until the ice cream is firm. Please also check out our post – How to Make Homemade Ice Cream: Without an Ice Cream Maker – to learn more.

👉🏽 Don’t have an ice cream maker, but thinking about buying one? Not sure which one would suit you best? Head over to our article – What is the Best Ice Cream Maker? A Detailed Review. This provides information and guidance on what you want to look for in an ice cream maker and reviews a selection of appliances.

Serving Ideas – Perfect Dessert Pairings

This light, floral sorbet pairs beautifully with a variety of desserts and accompaniments:

🍋 Lemon Tart – The citrus sharpness enhances the elderflower’s floral notes.
🍏 Apple & Elderflower Crumble – A warm, spiced crumble served with a scoop of this sorbet is perfection.
🍓 Fresh Berries & Shortbread – A simple yet elegant pairing that lets the flavours shine.
🍾 Prosecco Float – Drop a scoop into a glass of chilled Prosecco for a fun, bubbly twist.

Important Note on Alcohol Content

Since this sorbet does not require cooking, the gin retains its full alcohol content. While the alcohol helps keep the sorbet soft and scoopable, it’s important to consume responsibly. This is an adult-only dessert, so keep it away from little hands!

💡 Want a non-alcoholic version? Simply omit the gin and replace it with an extra 50ml of elderflower cordial for a deliciously floral sorbet.

The Final Scoop – A Floral, Boozy Sorbet Worth Trying

This Elderflower & Gin Sorbet is a light, fragrant, and refreshing spring dessert, celebrating floral notes, botanical depth, and a touch of indulgence. Whether served as a sophisticated palate cleanser or alongside a dessert, it’s an elegant way to enjoy the flavours of the season.

👉🏽 Would you try this boozy, botanical sorbet? What are your favourite floral flavours in desserts? Let us know in the comments below!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe for A Fragrant and Refreshing Elderflower & Gin Sorbet and feel inspired to give this light, botanical spring sorbet a try! If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and we will be happy to get back to you.

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