Elder Flower Cordial
A delicious addition to soda water for a refreshing drink or drizzled over ice cream or pancakes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 kilograms white sugar either granulated or caster
- 2 lemons unwaxed
- 20 elder flower heads fresh cut, stalks removed
- 85 grams citric acid found at local hardware store
- 1.5 litres water
Instructions
- Put the sugar and 1.5 litres/ 2 3/4 pints water into a large sauce pan. Heat gently, without boiling, until the sugar has dissolved. Give it a stir every now and again.
- Pare the zest from the lemons using a potato peeler, then slice the lemons into rounds.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, bring the pan of syrup to the boil, then turn off the heat.
- Prep the flowers. Fill washing up bowl with cold water. Give the flowers a gentle swish around to loosen and dirt or bugs.
- Lift flowers out, gently shake and transfer to syrup along with lemons, zest, and citric acid, then stir well. Cover pan and leave to infuse for 24 hours.
- Strain cordial - Line a colander with a clean tea towel, then sit it over a large bowl or pan. Ladle in the syrup - let it drip slowly through. Discard the bits left in the towel.
- Prep and fill bottles. Use a funnel and a ladle to to fill and sterilize bottles.
- The cordial is ready to drink straight away and will keep for 6 weeks in the fridge.
Video
Notes
Top sterilize bottles - run glass through a dishwasher , or wash well with soapy water. Rinse, the leave to dry in a low oven.
Cordial lasts 6 weeks in the fridge or can freeze in plastic containers or ice cube trays. Defrost as needed.