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Elijah's cup is the 5th cup of wine used at Seder. This cup is not drunk but rather is symbolic of the coming Messiah. (1) The cups or wine symbolize redemption. The first four symbolize the promises made to Moses in Exodus 6:2-8: the promise to rescue Israel from Egypt, delivery from slavery, to remain a free people and a reminder that they are God's chosen people. The fifth cup, Elijah's cup is symbolic of the hope the coming Messiah. (2) It is believed that Elijah's arrival will signal the coming Messiah. The Seder is not merely an observance of a historical event it is also a reminder of future event and the redemption that the Messiah's coming will provide.

Notes:
(1.) Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner, "Aks Rabbi Lerner: Passover-Elijah's cup" http://judaism.about.com/libra ry/3_askrabbi_c/bl_pesachelija h.htm

(2.) Israel Rubin, "The Silent Cup - What is Elijah's Cup All About?" http://www.chabad.org/library/ article.asp?AID=117141

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