The scent of summer is in the air – the elderflower is in bloom!
The delicate white blossoms of the black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) are not only a feast for the eyes, but also the epitome of the beginning of summer in the Lech Valley. Today we have once again prepared fresh elderberry syrup for our guests at the Hauserei – ideal for a refreshing Hugo, homemade lemonade or a Stern-Spritzer on balmy evenings in our beer garden or at the H15 bar in the Hauserei.
But elderberries can do more than just taste good …
🌸 Elderberry – plant of magic and healing
Even our ancestors knew about the power of elderberry. In folk medicine, it was regarded as the “farmer’s pharmacy”. Its flowers have a diaphoretic and calming effect, while its dark berries are invigorating and vitalizing.
🔮 Mystical knowledge:
The elder was the protective tree of the household spirits and was dedicated to the goddess Holda (better known as Frau Holle). If you had an elder bush in front of your house, you could feel protected – if you cut it down, you risked disaster. In Steeg too, the bushes often grow close to old walls and courtyards – a silent sign of respect for the old.
🍹 Recipe: Homemade elderberry syrup from the Hauserei
Ingredients:
- approx. 25 elderflower umbels (freshly picked, not washed)
- 1.5 liters of water
- 1.5 kg sugar
- 3 organic lemons (sliced)
- 50 g citric acid (from the pharmacy or health food store)
Preparation:
- Carefully shake out flower umbels to remove small inhabitants.
- Boil the sugar in the water, then leave to cool.
- Add lemon slices and citric acid.
- Add the flowers to the stock and leave to infuse for 2-3 days in a cool, dark place.
- Strain, bring to the boil again and pour hot into sterile bottles.
✨ Tip: If you like, you can add a small handful of mint or lemon balm – this gives the syrup a fresh note.
🎶 A children’s song about the elderberry: Ringel, Ringel, Reihe
Elderberries not only bring back memories of summer evenings, but also of childhood days. The popular children’s song “Ringel, Ringel, Reihe” (“Ringel, Ringel, Row”) says:
“Ringel, Ringel, Reihe,
are the three children,
sit under the elder bush,
they all shoo, shoo, shoo.”
A song that connects the generations – and lovingly places the elderberry at the center. Perhaps it hums softly in your head as you sip your glass of Hugo?
🌼 Conclusion: A piece of summer in every glass
Elderberry not only brings flavor, but also stories. At the Hauserei, we cultivate this ancient knowledge – and pass it on with every drop of homemade elderberry syrup. Whether as Hugo, lemonade or Stern-Spritzer: this is the taste of nature, this is the taste of the Lech Valley.
👉 Find out more about the Hauserei, our bar H15 and all summer offers here:
🔗 www.hauserei.at
Fancy a glass of “Holler Hugo” with a view of the mountains?
Then come along – we look forward to seeing you!
