Socată
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- Fresh elderflower heads, rinsed — 15–20
- Water — 1.9 L (64 fl oz)
- Sugar — 300 g (10.5 oz)
- Lemons, sliced — 2
- Raisins — 1 tbsp
Method
- Combine the elderflower heads, water, sugar, lemon slices and raisins in a large jar or crock.
- Cover with cheesecloth and let sit at room temperature for 2–3 days, stirring once daily, until lightly fizzy and fragrant.
- Strain through a fine sieve into clean bottles, discarding the solids.
- Refrigerate to slow further fermentation.
- Serve chilled, ideally within a week or two for the best flavour.
Introduction: A refreshing, lightly fermented elderflower drink, a beloved traditional Romanian summer beverage.
Cultural Background: Socată is a cherished homemade drink across Romania, made by fermenting elderflower blossoms with sugar, lemon and water, its light effervescence and floral flavour making it a favourite refreshment during the warm months.
Tips: Use fully open, fragrant elderflower heads for the best flavour, harvested on a dry day. Check daily during fermentation — the drink is ready when it develops a light natural fizz and pleasant tang.
Variations: Adjust the sugar and lemon to taste for a sweeter or more tart finish. Add a few mint leaves during fermentation for extra freshness.
Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, as the fermentation continues slowly even when chilled.
Reheating: This drink is served cold and is not reheated.
FAQs:
Q: Is socată alcoholic?
A: It undergoes a very light, natural fermentation that produces a slight fizz, but it contains negligible alcohol, similar to kombucha or traditional lemonade with natural carbonation.
Q: When is elderflower typically harvested for this drink?
A: Late spring to early summer, when the flowers are in full, fragrant bloom.
- Fresh elderflower heads, rinsed — 15–20
- Water — 1.9 L (64 fl oz)
- Sugar — 300 g (10.5 oz)
- Lemons, sliced — 2
- Raisins — 1 tbsp
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