I grew up next to a forest, and foraging during the summer months was a normal activity for us as children. We used to bring home elderflower, different berries, wild apples, sour green plums, mulberries, as well as nettles, which my mom would then cook. The Romanian socata recipe is a classic which I was looking forward to at the end of spring, when the edges of the forest would get dressed in a lovely white, aromatic dress, made from elderflower.
It was always a struggle waiting for the elderflower juice to be ready. Whilst this is a very easy recipe to make, you have to wait for nature to do its job for several days, before being able to enjoy this delicious drink.
In this article I am going to show you how easy it is to make the Romanian socata recipe, which requires only a handful of ingredients. This refreshing elderflower juice tastes delicious and will help you cool down on a hot summer day.
What is Elderflower and Why Is It So Sought After?
Elderflower is a delightful and aromatic flower that is believed to have beneficial health properties. It is commonly found in hedgerows, woodland areas, and along riverbanks. The elder tree, or typically reaches a height of 3 to 9 metres and bears clusters of delicate, cream-coloured flowers during the blooming season. It is important to correctly identify the elderflower, as there are quite a few other similar looking plants that bloom at the same time. The elderflower has five to seven leaves shaped like a feather, with a single leaf at the top. The leaves have the edges crested, and they may have tiny hairs underneath.
The blooming period of the elderflower is very short, from late May to mid June. Elderflower is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds that contribute to its medicinal properties. It is believed that elderflower has positive benefits on the immune system, ease breathing during colds, have anti-inflammatory properties, diuretic effects and soothes the skin rashes.
The Ingredients for the Romanian Socata
You don’t need many ingredients to make this delicious Romanian socata recipe. Five to six big elderflower flowers are enough to make 4 litres of elderflower juice. The easiest recipe requires lemon and sugar. You can however replace the sugar with honey, if you prefer a healthier alternative.
Some people add yeast as well, but I don’t think it’s necessary. As long as the weather is sunny, you don’t need to add extra ingredients to start the fermentation process.
How to Make the Romanian Elderflower Juice
Making the Romanian elderflower juice is very easy. You will however need to have some patience, for the fermentation to start and the drink to infuse with the delightful aroma of the elderflower.
To make this Romanian socata recipe, add the clean flowers in a large jar. I used a 4.2L one. On top of the flowers, add the sugar and the lemon juice. I chose to squeeze two lemons, and the rest slice and add inside as they are. The last step is to fill the jar with water and cover it with a plate. The socata needs to breathe, so I didn’t seal the jar with its original lid. The plate allows air to go in but stops any bugs from entering the jar.
I left the jar outside in the garden, in full sun. The socata was ready in 4 days. When it was ready, I filtered and bottled it, after which I stored it in the fridge. With the wonderful weather we are having at the moment, the socata was a perfect cold refreshing drink to cool off.
Notes and Tips:
- Try to pick elderflower that is growing away from the main roads. Through washing, the aroma of the elderflower fades. The closest the bush is to a road, the more in need of a good wash the flowers would need.
- In this elderflower juice recipe I added 230 grams of sugar and for my taste, I thought it was a little bit too sweet. So adjust the sugar quantity based on your own taste.
- You can replace the sugar in this Romanian socata recipe with honey. Instead of 200 grams of sugar, add 100 grams of honey.
- It is very important to mix the elderflower drink twice a day with a wooden spoon, to release the flavours and make sure that the sugar dissolves completely.
Romanian Socata Recipe – Elderflower Drink
Equipment
- 1 4L jar
Ingredients
- 5-6 big elderflower flowers
- 200-250 gr sugar for a sweet tooth, add more
- 4 lemons
- 4 L water
Instructions
- Gently wash the elderflower flowers and trim their stems.
- Put them in a big jar and add the sugar on top.
- Squeeze the juice of two lemons, and add it on top.
- Cut the rest of the lemons on slices, squeeze them inside the jar, and add them inside as well.
- Fill the jar with water and mix all ingredients well but gently with a wooden spoon.
- Cover the jar with a plate (not with its original lid), to leave space for breathing but protect from bugs.
- Put the jar outside preferably, in full sun.
- Mix the drink twice a day.
- After 3-4 days, depending on the sun and warm weather, the socata should be ready. It is ready when it gets a slight fizziness, becomes cloudy, and the flowers descend towards the bottom of the jar.
- Strain the drink through a sieve, and store in bottles, in the fridge.
- Enjoy it cold, with extra slices of lemon.
FAQ:
How to store the Romanian socata?
The best way to store the socata is in glass bottles, in the fridge. Make sure you don’t seal the lid, as the drink needs a little bit of air to breath.
How long can you keep the Romanian elderflower juice?
You can safely store the Romanian elderflower juice in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s good to know that the elderflower drink will continue to ferment in the fridge, and if you leave it for longer it will become alcoholic, and it may also develop mould.
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