Socată is a traditional Romanian elderflower drink made in warm weather with lemon, sugar, and fragrant elderflower heads.
A short room-temperature rest develops the floral, lightly tangy character before the drink is strained and chilled.
Use clean elderflower heads from an unsprayed source and leave a little headspace in the jar while the drink rests.
Serving Suggestions
Serve cold over ice with a lemon slice, or pour it into small glasses alongside a light summer meal.
Recipe Notes
Strain and refrigerate as soon as the flavour is pleasantly floral and tangy. Keep chilled for up to 5 days.
Romanian Socată
A floral Romanian elderflower lemonade with lemon and sugar, gently rested for a refreshing tang.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Combine:
- Pour the water into a clean glass jar. Add the elderflower heads, sliced lemon, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Stir with a clean wooden spoon until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
Rest and Strain:
- Cover the jar loosely and leave at cool room temperature for 24 hours, stirring once or twice. The drink should smell floral and taste lightly tangy.
- Strain through a fine-mesh strainer lined with clean cloth, then funnel into bottles or a covered pitcher.
Chill:
- Refrigerate until cold, then serve over ice with lemon slices.
Nutrition
Notes
- The resting time is a flavour guide rather than a strict fermentation target; strain earlier for a sweeter drink.
- Discard any batch with an unpleasant smell or visible mould.
