Elderflower Cordial

I love Elderflowers! Not only do they make lots of things yummy (including jam and cocktails, watch this space) but they also tell you summer is well and truly on the way. Suddenly hedgerows are emblazoned with these white, fluffy flowers, certainly where we live you do not need to wander far in order to make a harvest. Therefore, with the help of Millie, this is just what we did.

We've made cordial with our crop because we can then use this in future recipes. We used a recipe from, "Through the Kitchen Window" by Susan Hill. It's a delightful book that takes you through the English seasons in a magically innocent way, it'll have you craving picnics one minute and cosy roaring fires the next.

For cordial you will need:
25 elderflower heads
2lbs sugar
2 lemons grated, squeezed and cut into chunks
2oz citric acid (available in Pharmacies)
2 pints of cooled boiled water

 

1. Dunk the flower heads into cool water to wash

2. Cut the flowers from the stems and put into a large bowl

3. Add sugar, lemons and citric acid then cover with water and leave for a couple of days stirring occasionally. Put a tea towel over the top to stop any flies getting to it.

4. Using a clean tea towel strain the liquid into a jug

5. Pour into clean bottles with lids (we used a Kilner bottle and two beer bottles)

6. Keep in the fridge. Dilute to taste.

 

Emily x