In late spring the elder bushes along Czech roadsides, railway lines and garden fences cover themselves in flat, creamy white flower heads, and grandmothers across the country set off with baskets. The flowers are steeped with lemon and sugar for a couple of days to make bezový sirup, which is bottled and kept through the year, then mixed with sparkling water for a drink that tastes of honey, pear and summer. It is the homemade answer to fizzy soft drinks, and Czech children grow up on it.

Fresh elderflowers are seasonal, but dried elderflowers, sold as an herbal tea, make an excellent syrup at any time of year. Either way, a bottle in the fridge means a refreshing drink for everyone, at any point in the race.

The syrup

Ingredients

• 25 large fresh elderflower heads
• 2 unwaxed lemons
• 6 cups (1.2 kg) sugar
• 6 cups (1.4 liters) water
• 2 teaspoons (10 g) citric acid

Method

1. Put the sugar and water in the saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Bring just to a boil, then remove from the heat and stir in the citric acid.
2. Put the flowers and lemon slices in the large bowl. Let the syrup cool for 10 minutes, then pour it over the flowers and stir gently.
3. Cover with a clean cloth and leave in a cool place for 24 to 48 hours, stirring two or three times a day.
4. Line the sieve with the cloth and strain the syrup, squeezing the cloth to extract every drop. Pour through the funnel into clean bottles, seal and refrigerate.

To serve

Ingredients

• 1 part elderflower syrup
• 5 to 6 parts cold sparkling water
• to serve ice, lemon slices and mint sprigs

Method

1. Pour about 2 tablespoons (30 ml) syrup into a tall glass with ice, top with about 3/4 cup (180 ml) sparkling water and stir. Add a lemon slice and a sprig of mint.

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