One of the most refreshing drinks for the summer is an Elderflower Cordial. An Elderflower Cordial Recipe is quick and easy to make and a great excuse for a long walk collecting flowers. The Elderflower season is short, June through to mid-July (if you live in the the north of England or Scotland). The heavily scented flowers make a wonderful, refreshing Elderflower Cordial which when stored in sterilized bottles will keep for months. If you are out collecting Elderflowrs,word of warning, make sure ypu have permission to pick them and never pick flowers from trees on roadsides,they may be tainted with petrol fumes.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼lbs/1k cane sugar
- 3 pints/1.5 liters boiling water
- 4 medium lemons
- 30 large Elderflower heads, shake to remove any insects
- 1¼oz/55g citric acid
Preparation:
- Place the sugar into a large saucepan/stockpot or a large Pyrex bowl. Pour the boiling water over and stir until all the sugar has dissolved and leave to cool.
- Grate the rind of the lemons with a fine grater, add to the sugar water. Slice the lemons into thick slices and add to the water. Add the citric acid and stir, then finally add the flower heads to the water and stir again. Cover with a clean cloth and leave to steep for 48 hours.
- Strain through clean fine muslin cloth into a clean bowl. The using a funnel fill sterilized bottles (see note below). Seal and store in a cool, dark place (not the refrigerator).
The cordial is delicious diluted with still or fizzy water or used as a flavoring in ice creams or in fruit fools.
Once a bottle is opened store in the refrigerator.
Note To sterilize the bottles, rinse in the dishwasher, or place in a medium hot oven (300°F/150°C until the bottles are warmed through but not red-hot.
