Preparation method Gently rinse over the elderflowers to remove any dirt or little creatures. Pour the boiling water over the sugar in a very large mixing bowl. Stir well and leave to cool. Add the citric acid, the orange and lemon slices, and then the flowers. Leave in a cool place for 24 hours, stirring occasionally. Strain through some muslin and transfer to sterilised bottles. After straining the fruit and flowers I peeled the oranges, chopped them into segments and used them in a fruit salad. The lemons I chopped and froze to use in cold summer drinks