Tuesday 3 September 2013

Elderflower cordial

Elderflower cordial. How much more spring could you put in a glass? Refreshing, fresh and something a bit different, rather than boring orange juice.
You might think its really hard to make but it's really easy, the hardest part is pouring the cordial in a bottle without a funnel, and not spilling a drop!

The flowers are easy to find,they are small, bunched in a group and normally quite high up. Chose the flowers with open buds and none brown. I got mine from the woods in the park, and had to reach quite high.! DO NOT PICK LOW FLOWERS, they have to be out of a dogs reach! 
Makes about 1.3 litres 

Ingredients 

-25-35 big heads of elderflower 
-1 kg of caster sugar 
- 50g of citric acid ( available from pharmacists)
-3 lemons sliced
1. Tap the blossoms to remove any insects.remove long stems and leaves.
2. Put sugar into a bowl and pour in 1.5 litres of boiling water in. Stir to dissolve sugar, cover and leave to cool.
4.stir in citric acid, flower heads and lemon.cover and leave in a cool dark place. 
5. Once left for 24-48 hrs( the longer its left, the stronger flavour), strain the liquid through a muslin.
6. Pop into sterilised bottles, and keep in the fridge.