Homemade Elderflower Cordial vs Classic American Lemonade

Both drinks begin with sugar dissolved in water and rely on lemon, but they use them to very different ends. The elderflower cordial is a richly sweet syrup in which elderflower heads, lemon zest and lemon slices steep for a day or two, giving a floral, aromatic liquid that is strained, gently simmered and bottled to keep. The lemonade combines cooled simple syrup with freshly squeezed lemon juice and very cold water, making a bright, tart drink adjusted to taste and served over ice.