Recipes › Gooseberry › Gooseberry and Elderflower Jam
Gooseberry and Elderflower Jam
A quintessentially British summer jam that pairs the tart, natural pectin-rich gooseberry with the delicate, muscat-scented fragrance of elderflower. It sets beautifully and spreads like a dream on warm scones or thick buttered toast. Make it in June or early July when both gooseberries and elderflowers are at their peak.
Gooseberry is usually ready June to July. More gooseberry recipes, or see what to sow this month where you are.
Ingredients
- 1000 gooseberries
- 900 granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp elderflower cordial
- 200 ml water
Method
- Sterilise four 300ml jars and lids by washing in hot soapy water then placing in an oven at 120°C for 15 minutes. Place a small plate in the freezer for the set test.
- Put the gooseberries and water in a large, heavy-based pan. Bring to a simmer and cook gently for 10–12 minutes, mashing the fruit down with a wooden spoon, until the gooseberries are completely soft.
- Add the sugar and stir over low heat until completely dissolved. Do not allow to boil at this stage.
- Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring frequently, until setting point is reached. Test: drop a small amount on the chilled plate, leave for 1 minute — it should wrinkle when pushed.
- Remove from heat and stir in the elderflower cordial. Skim any foam. Ladle immediately into warm sterilised jars, seal and invert for 2 minutes, then turn upright and cool.
Tips
- Gooseberries are naturally high in pectin, so this jam sets reliably even with ordinary granulated sugar.
- Do not add the elderflower cordial until after the boil — heat destroys the delicate floral fragrance.
Ring the changes
- Add 4 heads of fresh elderflower (tied in muslin) during the initial softening stage for an even more intense floral flavour, removing before adding the sugar.
- Use a mix of red and green gooseberries for a more complex flavour and a prettier jam.
Keeping it
Unopened jars keep in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 12 months. Refrigerate after opening and use within 6 weeks.
In the app this recipe finds you
Log what you've picked and GrowMore CookMore matches it to 1,918 more recipes like this one, tells you what's ready before the frost gets it, and keeps the freezer honest. Free to start.
More from the same crop
An exquisite summer tart that celebrates one of the great classic pairings in British cookery — sharp gooseberry with fragrant elderflower. The tart has a crisp pastry case, a light elderflower custard filling, and a tumble of sweet-soft gooseberries on top, glazed to a beautiful shine.
1 h 25 min · challenging · Gooseberry
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 5 April 2026.