The Magic of Elderflowers: Harvesting Sunshine in a Bottle

There’s something quietly enchanting about elderflowers. As spring drifts into early summer, the hedgerows of the Cotswolds begin to hum with life – bees buzzing, birds singing, and delicate elderflower blossoms unfurling in creamy-white clusters, their soft scent drifting lazily through the air. At Bensons, this is one of our favourite moments in the farming calendar. Elderflower season is fleeting – just a few precious weeks when these wildflowers bloom in all their glory. We make the most of it, hand-harvesting the blossoms at their aromatic peak and blending them with freshly pressed British apples to create our Totally Fruity Elderflower & Apple drink – a refreshing tribute to the British summer.

Elderflowers: A Hedgerow Hero

Elderflowers have long held a special place in British folklore and kitchens alike. From traditional cordials to country wines and even old-school cough remedies, these dainty flowers have been foraged and loved for generations. But they’re not just pretty – their flavour is like nothing else: light, floral, slightly citrusy, with a soft sweetness that makes them the perfect partner for crisp apples.

You’ll find elderflowers growing wild in hedgerows, woodland edges, and quiet country lanes – the kind of places where time seems to slow down. That’s where we like to be. It’s here we work with local pickers who know the land and understand exactly when the flowers are ready – creamy but not brown, open but not overblown. Always handpicked, never rushed.

Crafting the Blend

Once gathered, the elderflowers are gently infused to draw out their delicate flavour. We then blend this infusion with our signature apple juice – made using British apples grown on trusted farms. The result is a bright, clean drink with just the right balance of fruitiness and floral lift. It’s soft on the palate, naturally refreshing, and full of character – like summer in a glass.

We keep things simple and honest, just like we always have. Real juice, carefully sourced ingredients, and a bit of countryside know-how go into every bottle.

Serve It Your Way

Totally Fruity Elderflower & Apple is versatile, too. Serve it ice cold on its own for a thirst-quenching pick-me-up, or dress it up for those longer, lazier afternoons. It pairs beautifully with a botanical gin or elderflower liqueur for an easy garden-party spritz. Or try it with soda water, cucumber and mint for a non-alcoholic refresher that still feels like a treat.

Whether you’re picnicking by the river, firing up the barbecue, or just putting your feet up with the sun on your face, this drink was made for moments like these.

A Little Taste of the Cotswolds

While elderflowers only bloom for a short time each year, their light, summery flavour lives on in every bottle we make. It’s our way of bottling a little slice of the season – capturing the scent of the hedgerow, the warmth of the sun, and the calm of a countryside afternoon.