Elderflower cordial must be one of the most delightful and easy traditional English drinks one could make.
It pops up in our hedgerows with it's beautiful delicately perfumed delightful white florets, from the end of May through to July.
Please note that it is best to pick the flowers on a sunny warm day, because the flowers will taste better.
You should also make sure that the bush is away from possible spraying from pesticides and also traffic fumes or other contaminents.
Some people add lemon slices for an added zesty taste, and it is noted that this cordial should be consumed quickly after making.
So here we go:-
You will need about 50 fresh elderflower heads.
2 and a half pints of boiling water.
2 and a half pound of sugar.
Some clean muslin cloth for straining the contents out.
Method
1. Pick on a sunny warm day for the best tasting cordial.
2. Gently shake the florets to remove any bugs or insects from the flower heads.
3. Place the flower heads and sugar into a large heat proof bowl and pour the boiling water over the flowers until they are completely covered.
4. Cover the bowl and leave for a full day, in a cool place.
5. Then strain the liquid into a large pan, through the clean muslin cloth and throw away the flower heads.
6. Gently bring the elderflower cordial to the boil, stirring frequently.
7. Remove the cordial from the heat and let it cool down totally before pouring the cordial into pre sterilised bottles and seal.
You can also add a sprig of mint into your glass prior to pouring in the cordial.
Enjoy!
*Please make sure you correctly identify the elderflower florets. There are other plants, some of which are poisionous, that look very similar to this that grow in the hedgerow.
It pops up in our hedgerows with it's beautiful delicately perfumed delightful white florets, from the end of May through to July.
Please note that it is best to pick the flowers on a sunny warm day, because the flowers will taste better.
You should also make sure that the bush is away from possible spraying from pesticides and also traffic fumes or other contaminents.
Some people add lemon slices for an added zesty taste, and it is noted that this cordial should be consumed quickly after making.
So here we go:-
You will need about 50 fresh elderflower heads.
2 and a half pints of boiling water.
2 and a half pound of sugar.
Some clean muslin cloth for straining the contents out.
Method
1. Pick on a sunny warm day for the best tasting cordial.
2. Gently shake the florets to remove any bugs or insects from the flower heads.
3. Place the flower heads and sugar into a large heat proof bowl and pour the boiling water over the flowers until they are completely covered.
4. Cover the bowl and leave for a full day, in a cool place.
5. Then strain the liquid into a large pan, through the clean muslin cloth and throw away the flower heads.
6. Gently bring the elderflower cordial to the boil, stirring frequently.
7. Remove the cordial from the heat and let it cool down totally before pouring the cordial into pre sterilised bottles and seal.
You can also add a sprig of mint into your glass prior to pouring in the cordial.
Enjoy!
*Please make sure you correctly identify the elderflower florets. There are other plants, some of which are poisionous, that look very similar to this that grow in the hedgerow.