Elderflower Wine

• Type: Wizarding Drink, Beverage
• Known Purveyors/Servers: Horace Slughorn, Weasley Family
• Maker: Unspecified; appears to be a common wizarding beverage.

Elderflower wine is a type of wine popular in the Wizarding World. Its specific appearance, such as its color, is not described in detail in the novels, but it is served in glasses or goblets at social functions. Its presence at both exclusive parties and large family gatherings suggests it is a well-regarded and widely available beverage. Like its Muggle counterpart, it is presumably alcoholic.

There is no indication that Elderflower Wine possesses any specific magical properties beyond those of a normal alcoholic beverage. Its primary use is for social consumption at parties, weddings, and other events. It functions as a cultural artifact, helping to build a more detailed picture of wizarding social customs. The choice of elderflower as an ingredient is notable due to the magical folklore surrounding the elder tree.

Elderflower wine is mentioned on two significant occasions, both of which are large social gatherings:

• Professor Slughorn's Christmas Party: During his sixth year, Harry Potter attends a Christmas party hosted by Horace Slughorn. While observing the event, he takes a glass of elderflower wine from a tray carried by a House-elf. The beverage is part of the lavish spread Slughorn provides for his exclusive guests (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince).
• Bill and Fleur's Wedding: The wine is also served at the wedding of Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour at The Burrow. After complaining about the quality of the Mead, Great-Aunt Muriel pointedly asks a waiter if they have a bottle of elderflower wine, establishing it as a known, and in her opinion, superior alternative (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows).

The role of Elderflower Wine is primarily environmental, adding detail and realism to the social customs of the Wizarding World. Its presence helps characterize events and individuals:

• It highlights the opulence of Horace Slughorn's parties and his desire to impress his students with fine food and drink.
• Auntie Muriel's specific request for it at the wedding reinforces her characterisation as a discerning, particular, and somewhat snobbish individual.
• Most significantly, its name serves as a subtle piece of foreshadowing. Mentioned in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, “Elder” directly hints at the Elder Wand, one of the three Deathly Hallows that would become central to the plot of the final book.

• The name “Elderflower” creates a strong thematic link to the Elder Wand. While the wine itself is mundane, its name connects an ordinary social scene in the sixth book to the legendary magical object that Harry Potter would later seek in his hunt for the Deathly Hallows.
• In real-world folklore, the elder tree has long been associated with magic, protection, and warding off evil spirits, making “elderflower” a fitting ingredient for a beverage in the Wizarding World.